I think the title should be edited once again. I would say we are clearly the best team in the country at this point in the season. While the tourney may be a crapshoot, we are the best equipped to face the challenge. One hell of a ride so far this season. Go Gators!
I've had a blast watching every Gator basketball game this year! Them GatorBoyz ain't finished yet!!!
We are so good, our 4 lonely losses were exclusively against NCAA tournament qualifiers, the worst being to 9-seed Georgia and 6-seed Missouri. Our other 2 losses were vs 2 seed TN and 3 seed Kentucky. We thrashed Tennessee the other 2 times we played them, and we also convincingly defeated 2 seed Alabama (twice) and #1 overall seed Auburn
Even though we were already really good, we're a better team now than we were at the beginning of the SEC schedule. First, the talent, athleticism, and raw power in the league forced us to up our game. Next, our string of injuries forced backups to up their games, and caused Big Micah to suit up, giving us another dimension.
I appreciate the title change and I just now happened to see it after coming across some media stuff on the Gators in the NCAAs. One that I really think is dead bang on, and the other from is a pair of momos on CBS trying to pretend like they know how to spell the word basketball. For your reading enjoyment from the Sporting News: They aren't the No. 1 overall seed, but there's a strong argument to be made that Florida has been the best team in college basketball this season. The SEC tournament champions check all the boxes of a national title contender and they're capable of winning multiple ways. The Gators enter the tournament with a 30-4 record and could be tested early with a potential meeting against defending back-to-back national champion UConn. Still, the team that's won six straight and 12-of-13 shouldn't be too concerned with a second-round matchup against the Huskies or Oklahoma, which it beat by 22 points in February. As the potential journey continues, Florida's ability to win in multiple ways will again be paramount in a potential meeting with an impressive Maryland squad or Memphis, which continues to find ways to win. Should it advance to the Elite Eight, Florida will be battle-tested and ready for whatever should come its way in a potential St. John's or Texas Tech matchup. The Gators have star power with Walter Clayton Jr., as strong identity that they stick to, and very little fear of other conferences after going a flawless 13-0 against non-conference opponents this season. It's going to be hard to upset Florida. Gilbert McGregor From CBS Sports - Maryland to upset UF in second round for no other reason than that Matt Norlander isn't sure that Florida actually exists and he's fairly sure that Maryland does. Or something like that.
It is always great to be an under appreciated team by the biased media! Anyone who underestimates the Gators will experience the accompanying surprise! Go Gators!
That ship has sailed. Nearly everyone I have seen on TV is picking the Gators to win it all. I don't like it one bit.
I think it's absurd that Florida was flying under the radar behind the hype behind Duke, (insert any SEC team except Florida) all year until after the beatdowns laid by this team at the SEC Tournament. Now Florida is overwhelmingly being picked to win it all. This ain't news to any of us. We've been here and we've "BEEN KNOWN" that this team is a championship caliber team. The team kept improving as the season progressed. Through injuries and slumps, contributions from several players down the roster have solidified that this team can run 1-9 at you. I hope they finish they job they are well capable of doing. I don't like it either!
We have a mature team. A hungry team. A few guys were there last year and don't want another early exit. Such a tight group of guys. Their noggins won't swell but a few of them might be getting "luckier" than usual this week with debil wimmens.
Absolutely, I think we're playing better now and at full strength plus the addition of Micah the last month (FG% 85.7% and rebounding like his old self) plus Alexis likely ready to contribute puts us in a great position to start the tournament. Those injuries and guys stepping up added extra confidence, especially in players like Aberdeen and Haugh. We have 8 starters and 3 senior leaders, that's usually a recipe for success in the NCAAT. We just need to make our FTs, rebound and take care of the ball.
I don't really like it either but everyone can see how well we're playing - we just ran thought the SECT, by far the best conference in the country, and made it look easy with a +15 average win margin. The fact that walk-ons were scoring in the #1 conference tournament says it all - we weren't even truly challenged. They'd be silly not to pick us, as good as Duke and Houston have been. But now we actually have to get it done. Need to turn the intensity dial to 11.
Elite 8!!! A tough first half but them Gator Boys really turned it on in the 2nd! Great to win by 16 after the UConn nail-biter
Yeah, my heart needed a rest after Sunday's tussle. Thanks Maryland! My only regret is that I don't have an outlet to pound that Gators -5.5 or even 6.5. This game had blowout city all over it.
It is, think we'll be favored against either TTU or Ark If we can take care of the ball and rebound like we did, we should be able to get to the Promised Land
