March Madness 2025 was filled with intense games and record-breaking performances as the top teams across the country dominated the competition. 

The Florida Gators secured their third NCAA men’s basketball national title after defeating the Houston Cougars in a nail-biting 65-63 championship game. 

The Gators trailed early in the second half but turned the game around with key plays from star point guard Walter Clayton Jr. 

“He won me my bracket,” said Junior Ari Vogel. 

One of the most remarkable aspects of this year’s tournament was the presence of three Jewish head coaches: Bruce Pearl of Auburn, Todd Golden of Florida, and Jon Scheyer of Duke. Each of them led their one-seeded teams to the Final Four. 

Golden also made history by becoming the youngest coach since 1983 to win an NCAA title.

Throughout the year, Pearl spoke out about his heritage and raised awareness about rising antisemitism.

“He is a hero. To be able to stand up and publicly speak out about the importance of Judaism was so inspiring, and I hope every single one of us can learn from his actions,” said junior Yonatan Suky. 

March Madness delivered unforgettable moments on and off the court. Florida’s title win under Coach Todd Golden, along with the presence of two other Jewish coaches in the Final Four, made this tournament a landmark event for both athletic and cultural milestones.