The Florida Gators men’s basketball team, seeded No. 1 in the West Region, faced the No. 4 seed Maryland Terrapins in the Sweet 16 of the 2025 NCAA Tournament on Thursday at the Chase Center in San Francisco. Despite their strong performance throughout the season, the Gators were eliminated after a narrow defeat to the Terrapins.
The game was intensely competitive, with both teams exchanging leads throughout. In the final moments, Maryland’s standout freshman, Derik Queen, secured the victory with a buzzer-beating fadeaway shot, ending the game at 72-71 in favor of the Terrapins.
Florida’s journey to the Sweet 16 included a commanding 95-69 win over No. 16 seed Norfolk State in the first round, followed by a hard-fought 77-75 victory against the No. 8 seed and two-time defending champions, the UConn Huskies.
The Gators’ roster featured notable players, including Olivier Rioux, recognized as the world’s tallest teenager at 7 feet 9 inches. However, Rioux did not participate in the tournament due to his redshirt status this season.
Head coach Todd Golden, who previously played and coached in San Francisco, returned to the city for this matchup. Despite the loss, Golden’s leadership throughout the season has been commendable, guiding the Gators to a 32-5 record and an SEC championship.
This defeat marks the end of Florida’s impressive run in the 2025 NCAA Tournament. The team will now focus on offseason preparations, aiming to build upon this season’s successes and address areas for improvement as they look ahead to the next campaign.
