25 Cheers for 25 Years: Reliving How Florida Went Back-to-Back
Joakim Noah #13 of the Florida Gators cuts down the net after his team defeated the Ohio State Buckeyes during the NCAA Men's Basketball Championship game at the Georgia Dome on April 2, 2007 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
The 2006-07 Florida Gators didn’t sneak up on anyone. They came in with the highest expectations, a giant target on their backs, and something rare in today’s college hoops — a returning cast.
Joakim Noah, Al Horford, Corey Brewer, Taurean Green, and Lee Humphrey all could’ve gone to the NBA. Instead, they ran it back to chase something special: a second straight national title.
Billy Donovan warned them it wouldn’t be easy. “The year is always a climb,” he told the team. They weren’t the underdogs anymore.
The Gators were talented and confident, but it didn’t come without bumps in the road. After the team dropped two late-season games to LSU and Tennessee, and the repeat conversation cooled down. But inside the locker room, the mindset was consistent.
Florida still won the SEC and rolled into March Madness as the No. 1 overall seed at 29-5. They weren’t just talented — they were tight. The “Oh-Fours,” as the junior class called themselves, lived together, played for each other, and loved doing it.
Every starter could’ve been a star on another team, but they stayed in their roles. It is a unique and beautful sports story.
Noah brought the fire and attitude. Horford provided the steady post game and leadership. Brewer was the do-it-all spark plug while Green set the table, and Humphrey sprayed threes.
The Gators’ NCAA Tournament run was all business. They handled Jackson State, survived a scare from Purdue, then knocked off Butler and Oregon to reach the Final Four again. In the Final Four, it was a rematch with UCLA, and just like in ‘06, the Gators handled them. Humphrey rained in threes, and the defense played well.
That set up the title-game showdown with Ohio State — who was led by freshman phenom Greg Oden. He was a monster, dropping 25 points and 12 rebounds in the final, but Florida never flinched. Brewer hit a huge three. Green nailed clutch free throws.
Richard made gritty stops. Every time the Buckeyes made a run, Florida answered. When the buzzer sounded, it was 84-75. Confetti flew. History made.
This one felt different from the first. The 2006 title was a surprise. 2007 was a statement. Donovan called them “one of the best teams to ever play,” not just because of the talent, but because of their sacrifice. Brewer said it best after the game: “We’re a team… we always stick together. It’s what we came back to do.”
Even as people doubted whether a repeat made them all-time greats, Brewer fired back: “Might want to go do his research. The numbers don’t lie… back-to-back.” Horford called it “unreal,” and Humphrey, the lone senior starter, said he couldn’t have asked for a better way to go out.
Florida’s second title in two years didn’t just cement their place in college basketball history. It also capped off a wild stretch for UF athletics — the Gators had won the football and basketball titles in the same year. It is a remarkable achievement that stands alone in collegiate sports.
But what really stands out is how these guys did it. No ego. No drama. Just five starters who believed in each other and made college basketball history. Years later, at a team reunion, Noah put it simply: “It’s in the book now.”
