Houston star falls short of NCAA history after March Madness loss to Florida

The Houston Cougars faced a tough March Madness matchup against the Florida Gators, just as expected, with the score staying tight throughout. Despite Houston jumping out to an early lead, the Gators fought back to close the gap and ultimately secured the national title — cutting off one Houston player’s shot at making NCAA history.

That player was LJ Cryer, who had the chance to become a permanent part of NCAA Men’s College Basketball history. Cryer won his first national championship with the Baylor Bears in 2021, and had the Cougars won, he would’ve been the first player ever to win two titles with two different programs.

Unfortunately for Houston, they couldn’t hold on to their lead. The Gators, true to form, mounted a comeback and pulled off another national championship win — adding to their already rich history of March Madness success.

Watching the Cougars break down in tears after losing a game where they once held a 12-point lead is something that will resonate deeply, especially with Houston fans who traveled to Texas to support players like Cryer, who gave it their all in a matchup they initially controlled.

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – APRIL 07: L.J. Cryer #4 of the Houston Cougars drives the ball against Thomas Haugh #10 of the Florida Gators during the second half in the National Championship of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Alamodome on April 07, 2025 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Does Cryer have a future in the NBA after losing the National Championship?

Cryer is undoubtedly a talented player who could turn professional someday. However, according to Athlon Sports, it’s highly likely that he will go undrafted. Additionally, he failed to make it into the top 50 NBA prospects list presented by analysts Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo on ESPN during March Madness, which could significantly impact his professional career prospects.

Facing Florida wasn’t easy for Cryer. Following the game, several scouting reports pointed out that much of his performance was ‘average,’ with some plays being deemed desperate attempts when he could have simply passed the ball to a Cougars teammate. Nevertheless, in the 2024-25 season, he will leave behind a personal record of 37 games played in a single season—the highest of his career.