Houston's ability to grind and experience looking into the abyss worked in tis favor on Saturday vs. Duke. Yet fundamentals are going to have to work for Kelvin Sampson’s Cougars on Monday...but will they? Houston usually enjoys an edge on the perimeter with its LJ Cryer-Milos Uzan-Emmanuel Sharp triumvirate that operated with a bit sharper edge than recent Kelvin Sampson editions as it hit roughly 40% of its triples (nation’s best), a significant upgrade from recent Coug contenders. And, of course, that jarring perimeter defense. Yet, does that constitute a real edge on the Gators and their confident, athletic backcourt led by former Iona transfer Walter Clayton, Jr., off back-to-back 30+-point games in the Elite 8 and Final Four, and who might be on his way to tourney MOP honors? We suspect the Monday outcome could just as easily be decided on the frontline, where Sampson’s strong and athletic bigs J‘Wan Roberts & Joseph Tugler attacked Duke’s length and eventually wore down the Blue Devils. Yet, unlike Texas Tech’s JT Toppin and Auburn’s Johni Broome who proved tough to guard for the Florida bigs, the Houston frontliners are limited scorers. The Gators’ size, with 6-11 Alex Condon and 6-9 Thomas Haugh holding their own, was eventually able to control Broome on Saturday. Florida faced all comers this season in the loaded SEC (a bit deeper than the Big 12), and avenged the one game where it got knocked off its pins at Knoxville by handling Tennessee in the SEC Tourney and scoring 86 points in the process. The big-play abilities of Clayton and Alijah Martin, and versatility of the 6-9 Haugh, present some different challenges for Houston. In the end, we suspect, the best team from the best conference will prevail. Play Florida on ML (NCAA at San Antonio)