If you’re a sports fan, a championship game that unfolds in the final seconds is the epitome of excitement and entertainment. This was certainly the case in Monday night’s National Championship Game between the Florida Gators and the Houston Cougars. However, FS1’s Danny Parkins was still left wanting more.
After Florida triumphed in a thrilling 65-63 finish, showcasing incredible defense and denying Houston in their final possession, Parkins, who is not typically one for hot takes, expressed his disappointment on FS1’s Breakfast Ball. He bluntly remarked that the game was a “terrible watch,” indicating he genuinely meant it.
“I thought that was a terrible game. And I thought it was a terrible watch and I kind of resented I stayed up for the entirety.” @DannyParkins wasn’t a fan of how the NCAA national championship game played out pic.twitter.com/sw1UZFHox9
— Breakfast Ball (@BrkfstBallOnFS1) April 8, 2025
Parkins further lamented, “I really don’t think that a 2-point game to decide a national championship could have been a worse viewing experience than last night. Seriously. The first half, especially the beginning, felt like it might turn into a classic. The refs had swallowed their whistles, Houston had the best defense, and Florida boasted one of the top offenses. It started off strong with just four fouls called in the first half.”
However, he soon delivered a harsh critique: “By the time this game ended, both teams struggled to break 40% shooting, combining for just 37%. They made less than 1 out of 4 three-point attempts, racked up 22 turnovers, and committed 26 fouls in the second half, which killed any rhythm. Houston’s players faced foul trouble, and while more fouls were called on them, Florida received a technical for bench complaints. I didn’t tune into a national championship game to watch a referee show.”
Parkins’ criticisms are backed by the game’s statistics. The second half was filled with fouls, with both teams in the double bonus for the final minutes. The last field goal came from Houston’s L.J. Cryer with 2:29 remaining. Florida clinched the championship by scoring only one field goal in the last five minutes, with 7 of their final 10 points coming from free throws. Houston’s dismal performance down the stretch included turning the ball over on their last four possessions, including an unfortunate non-travel by Emanuel Sharp that certainly won’t be immortalized on One Shining Moment.
Despite these critiques, there’s no denying that a close game, filled with tension and championship drama, is far more desirable than a result decided well before the final buzzer—regardless of whether you’re watching with one eye open.
