Charles Barkley entered Saturday’s Final Four clash between the Auburn Tigers and Florida Gators hopeful that he would witness his alma mater reach the National Championship for the first time. However, the game took him on an emotional rollercoaster, ultimately leading to disappointment. While covering the match for CBS from the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, Barkley felt optimistic as Auburn went into halftime with a 46-38 lead.
Charles Barkley certainly liked that first half from Auburn. 🏀🎙️ pic.twitter.com/s8huoQPE7E
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) April 5, 2025
During the CBS halftime show, Barkley praised Auburn’s performance, calling it the “perfect first half,” despite the game’s fast pace. “I hated the first five minutes; man, we don’t want to play at that pace,” said Barkley. “I stated that if the score reached 70-75, Auburn would win. If it goes higher, we’d struggle. But that was a perfect first half of basketball.” As usual in the 2025 NCAA Tournament, Florida fought back in the second half, gradually closing the gap.
Ultimately, Walter Clayton Jr. proved too much for Auburn, scoring 34 points and leading Florida to a 79-73 comeback victory, breaking Barkley’s heart in the process.
“A RETURN TO NATIONAL PROMINENCE FOR THE GATORS! FLORIDA WILL PLAY FOR THE NATIONAL TITLE! And what Todd Golden and the Gators will be looking for now… is a chompionship.” – Ian Eagle 🏀🐊🎙️🦅 pic.twitter.com/aDeznfUCyD
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) April 6, 2025
During the CBS postgame coverage, a video captured Barkley’s myriad emotions throughout the game—initially elated by Auburn’s play, he later buried his head in his hands as Florida surged ahead.
The visuals from CBS of Charles Barkley reacting to the Auburn-Florida game. 🏀📺🎙️ pic.twitter.com/6gBGutjadU
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) April 6, 2025
Barkley then commented on the game overall, stating that “the better team won,” despite his allegiance to Auburn. “You know, the best team won. Our guys played valiantly. It was a heck of a game. I’m so proud of our team, Coach Pearl, and those kids. Yes, I am disappointed. But Florida is the better team. You said it, and Clark said it, Mr. Clayton is the real deal. Mark Jackson would have said, ‘Mama, there goes that man.’ He kept them in it when they struggled, and then the rest joined the party. Congratulations to the Florida Gators, and thank you to my guys from Auburn for making it to the Final Four.”
Charles Barkley reacts to his Auburn Tigers losing to the Florida Gators in the Final Four. 🏀🎙️ pic.twitter.com/O3ys44fSge
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) April 6, 2025
Furthermore, Barkley commended Florida’s head coach Todd Golden, praising his strategy that “lulled Auburn to sleep.” “I want to give Coach Golden some love too,” Barkley remarked. “His strategy was fantastic. Clark (Kellogg) and Jay (Wright) mentioned it. While we were walking the ball up and down the court and going to (Johni) Broome, they wore us down with their three big guys. The biggest issue was that our guards could have sprinted for some fast breaks. I thought we should have changed our strategy in the second half.”
Charles Barkley: “I want to give Coach (Todd) Golden some love too. His strategy was fantastic…” 🏀🎙️ pic.twitter.com/PicyapuhNi
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) April 6, 2025
Ultimately, while the outcome was not what Barkley hoped for, he witnessed his alma mater give it their all in a commendable performance from both teams.
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