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Las Vegas - Heard that we have a little college hoop game tonight, so we'll start with the numbers. Both Florida and Houston come to the title game with identical 35-4 straight up records. The Gators were a touch better against the spread with a 28-11 record as opposed to the Cougars 21-17-1 mark. On the totals charts, Florida went Over 21 times, Under 17 with one push, while Houston went Over 16 times, Under 22 with one push. The Cougars were perfect on the road with a 10-0 record while the Gators checked in at 7-3. And in the what have you done lately category, Houston brings an 18 game winning streak to the party while Florida has won 11 in a row.
Now we look at the wallet. Houston staged one of the most EPIC comebacks in NCAA history but Duke kinda gave it away. They slowed down the game with around eight minutes left and double digit lead, mistake, then wilted like a cheap suit in the last few minutes. Put some of that on Blue Devils coach Jon Scheyer for not changing up his inbounds play. C'MON! The 4th grade team that I'm coaching coulda done it better. Why not put 7'2" drink of water Khaman Malach on the throw in? Why leave 6'6" Sion James on the throw every time who just mighta had a concussion? Kudos to Kelvin Sampson and the Coogs for taking full advantage, every time. Don't think that Florida will have that 'deer in the headlights scared look,' but these kids from H-Town are relentless. We understand that Walter Clayton Jr. is the engine that leads Florida's machine, but he ain't gonna have a free ride against Houston. Not saying that Duke PG Tyrese Proctor is as good as Clayton, but the Cougars made Proctor a non-factor. Sure the Gators had a great win over Auburn, but that was against the Tigers with their best player, Johni Broome, using only one arm. Gonna lean on the BEST defense in the country, Houston, to lift the trophy. But it's only a lean, nothing crazy.
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