Complete repeat Florida finishes off Ohio State for second straight title
ATLANTA (AP) -- The Florida Gators took a chomp out of NCAA history with the repeat they simply had to have.
Now they want more. They want to be called one of the best teams of all time.
The Gators made their case Monday night with an 84-75 victory over Ohio State to capture the second straight national championship that was their only reasonable goal this season.
They became the first team to go back-to-back since Duke in 1992 and the first ever to repeat with the same starting five.
"I think this team should go down as one of the best teams in college basketball history," coach Billy Donovan said. "Not as the most talented, and not on style points -- but because they encompassed what the word 'team' means."
Al Horford had 18 points and 12 rebounds, Taurean Green had 16 points and Greg Oden's 25 points and 12 rebounds weren't enough for Ohio State (35-4) to stop the Gators (35-5) from completing the quest they set upon when all the starters delayed their NBA plans for a try at another title.
"We all love each other and we all love playing with each other," Green said. "People made huge sacrifices. They all came back for this and wouldn't have been satisfied without it."
While the debate about the best teams of all time can truly begin, there is no denying that Florida's overall athletic program is the best in the nation.
This win completes a 2007 championship-game sweep of the Buckeyes in the two biggest college sports -- men's hoops and football. Florida, a 41-14 winner in the football title game in January, remains the only program in history to hold both championships at the same time.
"I've said it a thousand times -- once you think you've got it all figured out, you get in trouble," Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley said. "We're just enjoying tonight."
The celebration looked much the same as last year. Lots of jersey tugging, jumping onto press row and Joakim Noah running into the stands to hug it out with loved ones.
Donovan added another gold star to his resume, which figures to command more than his current $1.7 million next season, whether he returns to Florida or bolts for a possible job offer at Kentucky.
"Right here at the University of Florida, I'm going to enjoy this moment right now," Donovan said. "All that stuff will be addressed, but now isn't the time to address it."
His job this season was hardly just a matter of rolling the ball out there. He had to keep everyone motivated and focused -- at first when things seemed too easy, then later when the Gators lost three of four toward the end of the regular season.
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The Florida Gators became the NCAA Men's Basketball champions for the second straight year Monday night, defeating the Ohio State Buckeyes 84-75 for the title. Despite Greg Oden's 25 points and 12 rebounds, Ohio State couldn't top Joakim Noah and the Gators. Said Florida guard Corey Brewer of the victory, ""This is what we're all about at the University of Florida, winning championships." The Gators became the first back-to-back champions since the Duke Blue Devils won back-to-back in 1991 and 1992.

Winning the Men's Basketball championship gives the University of Florida wins in both of the NCAA's top sporting events, basketball and football. The Gators defeated Ohio State 41-14 in the football championship in January.

Ohio State's troubles many, going just 4 for 23 from three point range in the game, and 30 for 64 on field goals. Mike Conley, Jr. added 20 points to Oden's 25, but Florida's four players scoring in double-digits were too much for the Buckeyes to overcome. The Gators went 26 of 53 from field goal range and 10 of 18 on three point attempts.