Gators extend ‘amazing run,’ roll into Elite 8

Mar 27, 2025, 10:10 PM ET SAN FRANCISCO– Florida’s 3 standout seniors and its deep bench kept bringing energy until it became too hard for Maryland’s “Crab 5” to keep up.Coach Todd Golden could see his Gators wearing the Terrapins down.Will Richard scored 15 points, Alijah Martin included 14 points and seven rebounds, and No. 1 seed Florida played a constant 2nd half to escape from fourth-seeded Maryland and into the NCAA competition’s West Area final with an 87-71 win Thursday night.Editor’s Picks 1 Associated Walter Clayton Jr. contributed 13 points and 4 helps as Florida’s senior leaders and their deep supporting cast removed Maryland’s hardworking beginners– one of Terrapins coach Kevin Willard’s concerns entering into this match.”We are available in with fantastic energy,”said Florida reserve Denzel Aberdeen, who scored 12 points in 19 minutes.”Just everybody being ready, whoever

‘s name is called, I think that’s what we did.”Freshman experience Derik Queen scored 27 indicate lead Maryland (27-9)in what might have been Willard’s last game directing the program.”

I think their bench actually used us down,”Willard said.Florida (33-4) advances to play Saturday versus third-seeded Texas Tech, who beat No. 10 seed Arkansas 85-82 in overtime in Thursday’s late game at Chase Center.The Gators, in the Sweet 16 for

the very first time because 2017 and seeking the program’s first Last 4 berth because 2014, committed 13 of their 17 turnovers in the first half however took better care of the ball over the final 20 minutes. Florida advances to the Elite Eight for the 10th time in program history and the first considering that 2017, according to ESPN Research.Florida already got rid of two-time defending NCAA champ UConn in the second round and won its ninth successive Sweet 16 game, the second-longest streak since the round began in 1975.”The message was simple: We need to take care of the

ball,”Golden, the Gators’third-year coach, said.The Crab 5– featuring WNBA star Angel Reese’s bro Julian, who had his sis in the stands to cheer– roared back in the very first half when it appeared Florida might retreat. Queen, who struck a buzzer-beater in a 72-71 victory Sunday over Colorado State in the second round

, shot 8-for-17 and made all 10 of his complimentary throws.Clayton, Martin and Richard integrated for 42 points, and three others scored in double figures for Florida. The senior trio had actually scored 56 of the Gators’77 points in the two-point victory versus UConn last Sunday. That sent coach Golden back to the Bay Area, where he bet Saint Mary’s and coached at the University of

San Francisco before taking the Florida job.Now, the Gators get to extend their stay into the weekend. “It’s surreal, to be honest. The thing that I keep type of returning to, selfishly, personally, I simply don’t want it to end,”Golden stated.” We have an uniquely tight group. … It’s been an incredible run.” What’s next for Willard? His future was uncertain as he has actually been connected to

the Villanova job and also openly revealed issues last

week with the instructions of the Terrapins program, calling for” essential changes.”Fans booed the coach as the team left its hotel earlier in the day. Golden had actually described the Terrapins as “freaky talented”

entering the game.The Associated Press contributed to this report.