At the midway point of the college basketball season, Florida finds itself in a spot that doesn’t quite match preseason expectations. The reigning national champions came into the year with a target on their backs and a frontcourt that returned intact-a rare luxury in today’s game. But as we’ve seen, even the most talented rosters need time to click, especially when you're replacing three NBA-caliber guards.
Right now, Florida isn’t being mentioned in the same breath as the top-tier contenders like Arizona, Houston, Illinois, Michigan, Nebraska, and UConn. And that’s fair.
The Gators have taken some lumps-losses to Arizona, Duke, and UConn in non-conference play, plus stumbles against Auburn, Missouri, and TCU in SEC action. That résumé doesn’t scream “repeat champions” at the moment.
But here’s where it gets interesting: Florida isn’t out of the picture. Not by a long shot.
They’ve landed in the “wild card” category alongside Alabama, Arkansas, BYU, and Kansas-a group that might not be headlining the national conversation right now, but absolutely has the tools to shake things up in March. And Florida’s toolkit starts with that frontcourt.
This is the same group that helped power the Gators to a national title last season, and they haven’t lost a step physically. Their length, rebounding, and interior presence can overwhelm opponents when they’re locked in. That’s a luxury few teams can match.
The challenge has come on the perimeter. Florida’s guard play has been, in a word, inconsistent.
Boogie Fland and Xaivian Lee, both transfers, are still finding their rhythm in Gainesville. When they’re on, this team looks dangerous.
But the 28.5% clip from beyond the arc has been a thorn in the side of an otherwise formidable roster.
Alex Condon’s shooting regression hasn’t helped either. The spacing hasn’t always been there, and when the guards aren’t hitting shots, defenses can collapse on Florida’s bigs and make life tough in the paint.
That said, there’s a case to be made that Florida is trending in the right direction. The loss to Duke?
Nearly a win. And since then, the Gators have shown real growth in SEC play.
They’re starting to look more cohesive, more confident, and more like a team that understands what it takes to win when the lights get brightest.
Let’s not forget what this program did last year. Florida didn’t peak early-they built momentum late, got hot at the right time, and rode that wave all the way to a national championship.
That kind of experience matters. When March rolls around, teams that have been there before tend to keep their composure when others tighten up.
An upcoming matchup with Alabama looms large-not just in the standings, but in perception. A win there could shift the narrative and give Florida the kind of signature victory that reminds everyone why they were a preseason favorite in the first place.
So, are the Gators a top contender right now? No.
But are they a team you want to see in your region come tournament time? Absolutely not.
If Fland and Lee can find consistency and the three-point shooting ticks up even slightly, Florida becomes a different animal. And with that frontcourt anchoring things, they only need their guards to be good-not great-to make noise in March.
Bottom line: Florida’s best basketball might still be ahead of them. And in this sport, that’s exactly where you want to be.