The Florida Gators are facing a challenge that could derail their hopes of defending their national championship title. Last season, they were unstoppable, cruising to a 36-4 record and ultimately taking down Houston for the crown. Fast forward to this year, and while the Gators are still in the mix with a solid 20-6 record, their journey has been a bit of a rollercoaster.
After a rocky 9-5 start, Florida has found its rhythm, winning 11 of their last 12 games. This resurgence has reestablished them as serious contenders on the NCAA stage.
With a roster brimming with talent and a dash of championship experience, the Gators seem poised for another deep run. However, there’s a glaring issue that could trip them up: three-point shooting.
Currently, Florida is struggling from beyond the arc, hitting just 29.4 percent of their attempts. That ranks them 347th in the nation-a far cry from last year's respectable 35.6 percent, which placed them at No.
- This dip in efficiency is concerning for a team with championship aspirations.
While a few players like Urban Klavzar (38.7 percent), Thomas Haugh (34.8 percent), and Isaiah Brown (34.3 percent) are finding some success from downtown, the rest of the squad is lagging behind. The starting backcourt of Boogie Fland and Xaivian Lee is particularly struggling, shooting a mere 17.9 percent and 26.9 percent, respectively. When your guards are having trouble from three-point land, it spells trouble.
Despite these shooting woes, the Gators have been on a tear, taking down five ranked opponents since early January. But as the intensity of March Madness approaches, the inability to consistently hit threes could become a significant hurdle.
Florida's recent form shows they can compete with the best, but if they want to repeat last year's success, they'll need to find a way to improve their perimeter game. Otherwise, their championship dreams might just slip through their fingers.