Both Governor Greg Abbott (R-TX) and Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) have called upon their Floridian counterparts, Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL) and Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) to engage in a friendly bet as the Houston Cougars and the Florida Gators play in the NCAA Men's basketball national championship tonight.
Gov. Abbott and Sen. Cruz were the first to offer their respective bets.
Tonight, @UHCougarMBK takes on @GatorsMBK in the #NationalChampionship.
I'll bet some of the best Texas BBQ and cold Lone Star beer that the Coogs will beat the Gators.
What do you say, @RonDeSantis?
Go Coogs! #ForTheCity
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) April 7, 2025
"Tonight, Houston's Men's Basketball takes on Florida's Men's Basketball in the National Championship. I'll bet some of the best Texas BBQ and cold Lone Star beer that the Coogs will beat the Gators. What do you say, Ron DeSantis? Go Coogs! #ForTheCity" said Gov. Abbott.
Gov. DeSantis replied:
Ok, let’s do it.
I’ll put up stone crab claws and key lime pie.
Go Gators! https://t.co/UEO64EXLI6
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) April 7, 2025
"Ok, let’s do it. I’ll put up stone crab claws and key lime pie. Go Gators!" said Gov. DeSantis.
Moreover, Sen. Cruz had a bit of a sweeter wager than Abbott.
Hey @SenRickScott Care to do a wager on tonight’s game?
If Florida wins, I’ll offer up TX BBQ, Shiner Bock beer & Blue Bell ice cream, for you & your staff…plus the loser wears the winner’s jersey.
What say you?#GoCoogs
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) April 7, 2025
"Hey Sen. Rick Scott, care to do a wager on tonight’s game? If Florida wins, I’ll offer up TX BBQ, Shiner Bock beer & Blue Bell ice cream, for you & your staff…plus the loser wears the winner’s jersey. What say you? #GoCoogs" said Cruz.
Scott accepted and offered some Key Lime pie for his bet as well.
.@TedCruz, you’re on. @GatorsMBK are ready to win it all, and when they do, I look forward to seeing you in a UF jersey.
On the off chance Houston wins, I’ll offer up Cuban food, Florida fresh Key Lime pie, and some amazing Florida beer. GO GATORS! 🐊 https://t.co/8DnHYNblND
— Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) April 7, 2025
Rep. Wasserman Schultz provided some analysis and cold-hearted trash talk heading into the tournament.
"Hey everyone, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, here, for the 'Big Dance,' March Madness. Just want to make sure everyone knows I'm a huge Florida Gator fan. Go Gators, and we're going to win it all. And I don't want to see anyone worrying about football season, because the Gators run the whole damn calendar," Rep. Wasserman Schultz stated.
UF has a chance to claim its third national championship with a win over the Cougars on Monday night.
