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Fans, media stunned as Walter Clayton Jr. held scoreless in 1st half of national championship game
By Andrew Olson
Published:
Walter Clayton Jr. carried Florida to its fourth national championship game appearance in program history. The star Gator guard has struggled in the 1st half against Houston.
Clayton missed his first 4 shot attempts, all from 3-point territory. Unsurpsingly, social media is stunned that the Florida star is not looking like himself after back-to-back 30-point efforts in the Elite 8 and Final Four in wins over Texas Tech and Auburn to reach the national championship game.
Here’s a small sample of what people are saying:
Walter Clayton is scoreless on 0-for-4 through the first 18 minutes.
— John Fanta (@John_Fanta) April 8, 2025
Difference in the game.
Walter Clayton’s shot selection has been horrible, and Florida keeps turning the ball over, impressed they r only down 6
— John Latham (@johnlatham236) April 8, 2025
Houston’s defense is so tough.
— Nick Roby (@nickroby) April 8, 2025
Walter Clayton is having a hard time getting into rhythm and Florida can’t get any outside shots to fall.
Walter Clayton having 0 points 16 minutes into the game was not even remotely something I thought would happen
— Cole Adams (@coleadamss) April 8, 2025
Walter Clayton Jr was first player since Larry Bird to score 30+ in Elite 8 and Final Four
— Yianni Kourakis (@WPBF_Yianni) April 8, 2025
Zero points so far in this one
In Clayton’s absence, Will Richard has stepped up big time, scoring 14 points, to keep the Gators in the game. To overcome the 31-28 halftime deficit, though, the Gators will likely need Clayton to flip a switch and get back to being the scorer he has been throughout the NCAA Tournament run.
The game is airing on CBS.
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.
