By: Eric Fawcett -- March 16, 2025 The NCAA Tournament bracket was released on Sunday with the Florida Gators earning a 1-seed and learning their initial matchup–the Norfolk State Spartans. There wasn’t any doubt that the Gators would be one the 1-seed line after knocking off Tennessee in the SEC Tournament Championship game, and they will now be positioned to go on a run–though it won’t be easy to start against a scrappy Norfolk State team. Florida Versus Norfolk State NCAA Tournament Preview | GatorCountry.com
Seems wild that as a 1 seed we play Oklahoma or UConn knowing UConn is just a name this season compared to normal. Still UConn was 14-2 in the B-East. Oklahoma is 12-5 in the SEC, battle tested and beat Georgia just the other day and was a point to tie or two to win against Kentucky (during Tourney). Either way looking past Norfolk, that’s a tough game for 1 seed no?
Nothing for granted, but I'm glad we'll get to play against a zone in this game. We may see more of it later should we advance.
Tennessee beat Norfolk by only 15. It was a 7 point game at halftime. The Volunteers kept their starters in the whole game. And this is when Tennessee was ranked number one in the country. Not saying we should be crazy concerned. We just need to get after them from the opening tip. I’m sure Todd will make sure this team has their attention.
Most teams in the tourney are legit. Once you’re past the first round, they’re all legit. If you don’t show up ready to play, you can get beat by anyone.
Yep. You think things are easy as a 1 seed, then Eric does his in depth analysis and we have to get informed and sweat a little. Great writeup of course, but I am starting to understand people who just listen to ESPN blowhards for their information diet. They sleep a lot better. Interesting bit about Grand Canyon, who is in our E8 bracket. I wonder if Grand Canyon gives the Twerps a run in the first round.
Yeah I always watch the tourney but it always feels like you have to go a couple games before you get to that level. I suppose not. Anyway, nobody can beat us.
I would say that the first round weeds out most of the autobids that wouldn't be in the tournament without help. By the second round, you're down to 32 teams, most of which are pretty freaking good. They're not all final four or championship level teams, but they're all good enough to beat any of those teams in a single game if they have a really good night and the other team has a few hiccups. I don't think anyone in the league can beat us if we're having a really good night.
G-Ville Sun: Prediction Florida 97, Norfolk State 63: Expect Florida to start fast and not let up to lead Golden to his first NCAA Tournament win. UF's depth will allow the Gators to maintain and build upon the lead in the second half and keep starters fresh for UF's Round of 32 matchup.
Grand Canyon played GA in that hoops giving tournament in Dec, and lost. That was the first time I heard of them. We went to see Fla vs ASU, and I wondered why all these damn bulldogs were in the arena. Didn’t know they played after us, and it was against Grand Canyon.
As a Florida alum, I welcome the opportunity to play U Conn should both teams advance. We had thee McDonald's All Americans on that team - Walker, Hill, and Young. We were probably favored by at least 10 points minimum. It was UConn that took us out in the Final Four that year. Our team went undefeated in the SEC, had a 30-game win streak, and was, if I remember, the number one seed overall in the tournament. The SEC player of the year Wilberkin shot 2-9 and scored 4 points the entire game for us. It probably cost him being drafted into the NBA. Finney Smith who is an NBA veteran now went 2-6 (and for all intents and purposes was another McDonald's All-American in caliber). Prather was runner-up to Mr. Basketball in HS in Tennessee before he came to Florida. To say that we did not have a dominant team would be a misstatement. Walker and Hill, McDonald's All Americans, did not even start. Five of our key players shot a combined 6-26 in field goal percentage (23%) and we were 1-10 from 3. Gator Nation has not forgotten. Golden will not allow these players to forget that. If there is one game we want to play to exorcise the negativity that followed our program after that loss it is Connecticut. WE WANT TO PLAY CONNECTICUT!!!!!!!!!!!
Napier was a super quick guard. Willbie was a fine on ball defender but he struggled against super quick guards. Auburn that year gave him trouble on the road with their very quick guards. I know I am going to get grief over this post but it is the truth.
