Nope, nothing to see here this time.
Florida players kept their cool during postgame interviews and interactions with viral ESPN Gainesville student reporter Talia Baia after Walter Clayton Jr. helped lead the Gators past Auburn to reach the national championship game on Saturday.
Baia has circulated online in recent weeks due to her interviews with the Florida players during the NCAA Tournament, as the internet watches closely to see if the Gators keep their composure.
Fans were especially speculating at a recent interaction with her and reserve guard Bennett Andersen, who couldn’t stop smiling during their interview after he scored in the Sweet 16. The two reunited for a second interview before the Final Four which went much smoother.
After Satuday’s win, Baia interviewed Australian sophomore big Alex Condon, sophomore guard Cooper Josefsberg, senior guard Alijah Martin and junior center Micah Handlogten.
The players kept their composure during the chats, but social media did not.
“These replies are terrible… good lord,” One X commenter noted in response to a cesspool of internet slop underneath a photo of Baia interviewing Handlogten, with most of the comments directed toward the Florida student journalist.
The Gators triumphed 79-73 against Auburn and will dance with fellow No. 1 seed Houston Cougars on Monday evening to determine the 2025 national champion.
The Cougars earned their spot by stealing a win by rallying past projected No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg and Duke on Saturday.
A win for the Gators would mark their first national championship since the program went back-to-back in 2006 and 2007.
