- Florida’s Walter Clayton Jr. is averaging 24.6 points through five NCAA Tournament games.
- Houston’s defense, which is ranked No. 1 in the nation, feels prepared for Clayton
SAN ANTONIO — Houston guards L.J. Cryer, Emanuel Sharp and Milos Uzan know what’s in store with Florida basketball’s Walter Clayton Jr. up next in the national championship.
“He’s a big-time player, definitely having a crazy tournament run right now,” Cryer said Sunday of Clayton, who is averaging 24.6 points through five NCAA Tournament games.
“All-American. He’s one of them ones. His game speaks for itself.”
Clayton scored a career-high 34 points in Florida’s Final Four win against Auburn, setting up a showdown between the Gators (35-4) and Cougars (35-4) on Monday (8:50 p.m., CBS) at the Alamodome.
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BIG-GAME CLAYTON: Walter Clayton Jr. maintains clutch gene for Florida basketball in Final Four win over Auburn
He’s the first player since Larry Bird to score 30 or more points in consecutive games this late in March Madness.
“He doesn’t need a lot of space to get a shot off. He’s playing with an ultra amount of confidence,” Houston guard Milos Uzan said. “He’s a really good player and they’re a really good team, so we gotta do a good job of containing him and try to just limit our mistakes offensively and defensively.”
Fellow veteran Emanuel Sharp echoed those thoughts, saying Clayton is “an All-American for a reason” as one of the top players in college basketball.
“He can really do everything – shoot it, drive, dribble, pass,” Sharp said. “He’s the ultimate combo guard. Tough assignment, but we play defense.”
Houston is No. 1 in defensive efficiency, according to KenPom, and limited high-powered Duke to 67 points in the other national semifinal. After facing Cooper Flagg, the National Player of the Year, Uzan said the Cougars are ready for their latest challenge.
“We’re aware he’s an All-American type of player,” Uzan said of Clayton. “I think, honestly, we’re the No. 1 defensive team in the country for a reason. I wouldn’t change up anything that we do.”
Rodd Baxley covers Duke, North Carolina and N.C. State for The Fayetteville Observer as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his ACC coverage on X/Twitter or Bluesky: @RoddBaxley. Got questions regarding those teams? Send them to[email protected].
