Florida's Bennett Anderson Sparks Viral Buzz After Flirty March Madness Interview

Florida is gearing up for the Final Four, joining its fellow No. 1 seeds in the thrilling culmination of March Madness. The Gators secured their spot after defeating Texas Tech in the Elite Eight, but it was their Sweet 16 victory over Maryland that produced an unexpectedly viral moment.

In that game, Bennett Anderson, a walk-on player and former team manager, found himself in the spotlight—not for his stats, but for what followed afterward. Anderson, who has played sparingly this season and scored just four points in total, managed to steal hearts during a postgame interview with ESPN Gainesville student reporter Talia Baia.

After making just his second basket of the season—a layup in the final minute of the Sweet 16 game—Anderson was asked about his performance. "Hopefully these guys take care of business so I can play again, hopefully I can get another bucket," he quipped, clearly savoring his moment in the limelight.

The real viral magic, however, happened off the court. A video of the interview posted to Baia's social media gained over 7 million views by Monday morning, with plenty of viewers speculating that Anderson might have been a little smitten with the reporter. "That man is in love lol," one user commented, summing up the internet's collective sentiment.

While Anderson didn't see action in Florida's Elite Eight win, his personality—and that interview—left a lasting impression. The Gators now face SEC rival Auburn in the Final Four on Saturday in San Antonio, marking their sixth appearance in the program's history. Later that evening, Houston will take on Duke in the other semifinal, with the winners advancing to the national championship game at the Alamodome.

Whether Anderson gets another chance to take the court remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: his brief moment in the spotlight has already made him a fan favorite.