Ohio State, gunning for its first basketball title since 1960, had arrived bent on revenge, after losing in the regular season 86-60 to Florida, and after its football team had been embarrassed by UF for the football national championship, 41-14. No matter.

UCLA had revenge on its mind, too, in Saturday's semifinal, after losing last year's title game to Florida. No matter, again.

"Revenge is overrated in sports," said Noah. "Look at UCLA. Then Ohio State. Does revenge at this point make you play harder? If it does you're playing for the wrong reasons. We were playing to make history."

They made it like maestros make music, like Michelangelo made art. Every time Ohio State made a run, Florida found brakes.

This is how fast the Gators can flash their knives and find your jugular.

Ohio State had cut its deficit to 24-22 early, the fans in red roaring.

Then: A Lee Humphrey three. A Corey Brewer three. A Taurean Green three.

A Buckeyes timeout, to stop the bleeding.

Ohio State got 45 combined points from its super freshmen, Oden and Mike Conley Jr., but not enough from elsewhere. Florida, the consummate TEAM, got very little from Noah (four points, three rebounds) but consistency (and 10 three-pointers) from the other four starters.

A U.S. Marine Corps precision drill team performed at halftime. A college precision drill team performed in the surrounding halves. The team wore blue.

Florida had lost three of four late in the regular season and doubts seeped in like toxic sludge. Pertinently, the doubters weren't wearing Gator uniforms.

Florida blitzed through the SEC Tournament, then through the NCAA Tournament, finishing off March (into April) Madness Monday night like a champion finishes a fight with a staggering right hook.

"If we win, everybody gonna eat," said Noah, repeating a pet phrase.

Nobody is dining more sumptuously now than the University of Florida, with consecutive basketball championships sandwiching a football title.

Gator fans kept erupting in that signature chant:

"It's great to be a Florida Ga-tor!"

And they weren't lying.

Going into last season, lightly regarded, the Gators coined for themselves the catchphrase, "PHD: Poor, Hungry and Driven."

Now, these same players are soon to be rich, they are sated, and they have driven into history. In style.

As for the PHD? They've added a new degree now.

Masters.