'We Made History, Baby,' Noah Says

By JOE HENDERSON The Tampa Tribune

Published: Apr 3, 2007

ATLANTA - In case there was any doubt. ...

Well, really there wasn't. Not about this team. The Florida Gators were the best basketball team in the land before the Final Four began, and after Monday night they still are. Even Ohio State gets it now.

This is not just a "good" Florida team, as Buckeyes guard Ron Lewis categorized the Gators before the game. Nope, Ron, these Gators have earned the title of great.

By beating the Buckeyes 84-75 here in the NCAA men's basketball championship game, the Gators became the first team since Duke in 1991-92 to win consecutive titles. They became only the second team to do that since UCLA's run of seven straight championships ended in 1973.

"We made history, baby," Florida forward Joakim Noah said. "Say what you will about his team, just make sure to end the sentence by calling us national champions, back-to-back."

Oh, and they all but formalized Florida's annexation of the state of Ohio. Monday's coronation came about three months after the Gators' football team won the national title by blasting Ohio State.

"They've got really everything," Ohio State coach Thad Matta said. "We made some major mistakes defensively, and great teams make you pay."

At this point, the Gators might as well call NCAA headquarters and have the whole cache of championship trophies boxed up and shipped to Gainesville. It would save some time.

It already was big news that the Gators held the titles in football and men's basketball before this NCAA Tournament began. Now they've won in basketball again. Even the gymnastics team is expected to contend for its national title.

If you can find a better overall athletic program in the land. Oh, never mind. You can't.

If winning one was fun and winning two was twice as nice, how about three straight?

That was certainly on the mind of at least some fans, who chanted, "One more year!" as the Gators went out to receive their championship trophy.

It may be wishful thinking.

Although the Gators haven't said what they plan to do, many people expect that key players in this run such as Noah, Al Horford and Corey Brewer may leave school after this year, bypassing their senior seasons to join the National Basketball Association.

Also, the University of Kentucky is expected to make a big pitch to hire Florida coach Billy Donovan, who may have cemented his credentials for basketball's Hall of Fame with this second championship.

If this was goodbye, Florida did it in style.

Those three Gators could have left school after last year and no one would have been surprised, but they returned with the stated goal to defend their title. In accomplishing that, they left a legacy that will be difficult for any future team to match.

Florida took control of this game when Lee Humphrey, Brewer and Taurean Green connected on consecutive three-point baskets to put the Gators ahead 33-22 with 3:49 left in the first half. It wasn't anything we haven't seen before. These Gators are renowned throughout basketball for their balance.

Try to stop them inside and they'll shoot over you, sort of like that. Go out to stop that and they'll pound the ball down low.

Probably three-quarters of the crowd of 51,458 at the Georgia Dome was pro-Florida, with the chants of "Orange … Blue" and "It's Great To Be A Florida Gator" drowning out the Buckeyes.

Ohio State pulled as close as six points in the second half, but the Gators had an answer every time the Buckeyes would make a run. That's what championship teams do.

With victory assured, Horford dribbled out the final seconds as the crowd celebrated yet another title as the Buckeyes stood silently by. When the buzzer sounded and the game was complete, Horford flung the ball high and into the seats as multicolored streamers and confetti fell from the roof to salute the champions.

And there was one other tribute.

From Ohio State guard Mike Conley Jr.

"We tried to make runs throughout the game, but each time their key players stepped up," he said. "That's why they're champions - again."

Oh, and he said something else.

"You know, they're a great team."