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Florida Wins Championship of Men's College Basketball
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=11A3BE4:3919ACA Florida Gators
defeat UCLA, 73-57, to win school's first national title in men's
college basketball The Florida Gators have defeated the University of
California at Los Angeles, 73-57, to win the school's first national
title in men's college basketball.

UCLA had been touted as perhaps the strongest defensive team in the
national championship tournament. But against Florida in the final,
late Monday, UCLA could not find a way to stop the Gators explosive
offense.







Florida's Joakim Noah scores past UCLA's Lorenzo Mata during the
second half of the Final Four national championship basketball game in
Indianapolis, Monday, April 3, 2006Joakim Noah led Florida with a team
high 16 points and nine rebounds. The two meters, 13 centimeters tall
giant easily earned the tournament's Most Valuable Player honor, with
a finals record of six blocked shots and a tournament record of 30
total.

"This is the best I have ever felt in my life. You work so hard for
these moments. And, they are so worth it," he said. "I am just so
proud of my teammates and my coach and my family being here. Not only
does it feel good, it smells good, it tastes good. I cannot even
describe it."

Florida attacked early and kept the game lopsided for 40 minutes.
Guard Lee Humphrey added 15 points, while center Al Horford
contributed 14 and forward Corey Brewer had 11 points. Jordan Farmer
of UCLA had a game-high 18 points.

Gators Coach Billy Donovan said he stressed the same fundamentals to
his team as he has all season.







Florida players celebrate their 73-57 win over UCLA in the Final Four
national championship basketball game in Indianapolis, Monday April 3,
2006"I told them before the game that this game was going to be coming
down to everything that we talk about. It was going to come down to
unselfishness, teamwork, extra passes, high assists total and then
being able to defend and rebound," said Donovan. "And, they did a
great job."

Although UCLA could not add to its record 11 national championships,
Coach Ben Howland praised his players and began looking toward next
season.

"We had a great year," he said. "We came up a national championship
game short. My message to the team is that our goal is to get back
here again next year and win it."

Known as an American-style football power, Florida is hoping this
championship will elevate its basketball program to a similar stature
for many years to come.


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