Condon’s Return Helps Florida Gators Advance in March Madness Sweet 16

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The Florida Gators advanced to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament after a dramatic 84-66 victory over the Maryland Terrapins in the Sweet 16 on March 27, 2025. The game was not without its challenges as Gators’ forward Alex Condon suffered a right ankle injury in the first half but managed to return and contribute in the second half.

The Gators, entering the game as the No. 1 seed, faced fierce competition from fourth-seeded Maryland at the Chase Center. Florida, fresh off a title win in the SEC Tournament, quickly established an early lead but found themselves in a precarious situation when Condon left the court in pain less than eight minutes into the game.

Condon, who averages 11.1 points and 7.8 rebounds per game, went down after diving for a loose ball. Moments later, the 6-foot-11 forward hopped to the locker room unable to put weight on his right ankle, which had sidelined him earlier in the season due to a sprain.

“It looked like he twisted his ankle,” Florida head coach Todd Golden said during an in-game interview with TBS. “I don’t know exactly the severity yet. I’ll talk to the trainer after I talk to you.”

Despite Condon’s injury scare, Florida managed to maintain a narrow lead at halftime, 40-38, thanks to contributions from Walter Clayton and Will Richard, who each scored 12 points in the first half. Maryland’s Ja'Kobi Gillespie kept his team close with 15 first-half points.

Following halftime, the Gators regained their momentum, opening the second half with a 10-4 run that extended their lead to 50-42. The moment was made sweeter when Condon rejoined the game with 13:29 left, much to the relief of Gators’ fans and players alike.

“I did some stretching and shot some threes, and I felt good enough to get back on the court,” Condon said. He finished the game with six points, four rebounds, and one block—logging crucial minutes that helped solidify the Gators’ stronghold on the game.

Maryland’s efforts were largely bolstered by freshman sensation Derik Queen, who scored 27 points, but once Gillespie fouled out with just four fouls remaining, the Terps struggled to mount a comeback. Florida tightened its defense and continued to pull ahead, culminating in an impressive second-half performance.

“We showed a lot of heart tonight. Losing Alex was tough, but the guys stepped up and played for each other,” Golden stated post-game. “We’re excited to keep this momentum going into the next round.”

The victory sets up Florida for a matchup against either No. 3 Texas Tech or No. 10 Arkansas in the Elite Eight on March 29. Condon’s return and performance provided a beacon of hope for the Gators as they navigate the high-stakes terrain of March Madness.