DaytonDailyNews.com

ATLANTA — A huge NCAA Final Four sign hanging outside the Georgia Dome proclaims "THE ROAD ENDS HERE."

In big games, Ohio State's road has ended against Florida. The stop sign Monday night was a 84-75 Florida victory in front of 51,458 fans.

"We're used to winning, that's what we know," Ohio State freshman center Greg Oden said. "We come in there ready to win and we're fighting to win. It just didn't turn out that way."

The Gators (35-5) became the NCAA's first repeat basketball champion since Duke in 1991-92. Florida was led by Al Horford with 18 points and 12 rebounds, while Taurean Green had 16 points, Lee Humphrey 14 and Corey Brewer 13.

"I'm so proud of my guys," Florida coach Billy Donovan said. "I think this team should go down as one of the best teams in college basketball history.

"Not as the most talented, and not on style points. But because they encompassed what the word 'team' means. They did it the first year with no expectations, then they did it again with all the expectations."

Ohio State finished a school-best 35-4, including a 22-game win streak. The difference was at the 3-point line. Florida was 10-of-18. Ohio State was a horrible 4-of-23.

"This game came down to making plays, and Florida — a couple of plays they made down the stretch were key," OSU coach Thad Matta said. "We get it to six and we just couldn't overcome it."

Florida's football team drilled Ohio State, 41-14, in January for the BCS championship. The Gators hoops team beat OSU, 86-60, in Gainesville on Dec. 23.

Then, Oden was playing left-handed. On Monday night in Atlanta, he had 25 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks.

Ohio State got the ball into Oden, but they couldn't hit enough 3-pointers or defend enough 3s to hang with Florida, which hit five 3s in the last five minutes of the first half for a 40-29 lead.

In the first game, OSU was 7-of-23 from behind the arc compared to Florida's 9-of-18.

Monday, Ohio State fell behind early as Florida buried three 3-pointers in 90 seconds to take a 37-26 lead. It was 40-29 at halftime.

The Buckeyes got within six at 42-36 and 66-60. But Oden didn't see the ball for several minutes and OSU kept missing 3s.

"When you're trying to get back in the game and you're out there shooting — thinking and knowing that it's about to fall for you and it's not going in for you — it's real frustrating," OSU senior Ron Lewis said.

Mike Conley Jr. (20 points) and Lewis (12) kept the Buckeyes close, but not close enough.

Every little flaw hidden by talent and determination during Ohio State's win streak came to the surface. And the Gators showed why they're just better than Ohio State.

"We tried to make runs during the game," Conley said. "Their key players stepped up in big-time situations. That's why they're national champions — again."

OSU basketball, 2006-07 recap

Final Four runner-up

South Regional champions

Big Ten tourney champs

Big Ten regular season winners

School-record 35 victories

BCA tournament champs

Next: Whether Greg Oden (or any other player) makes himself eligible for the NBA draft.