As we turn the page on November, the Florida Gators are sitting at 5-2 and currently hold the No. 17 spot in the KenPom rankings-a solid place to be, but not quite where they started the season. Florida opened the year ranked No. 2 by KenPom, but a tough non-conference slate has tested this group early, with losses to No.
8 Arizona and No. 50 TCU putting a dent in their early momentum.
Still, there’s a lot to like about what Todd Golden’s team is building. The Gators boast a +25.70 adjusted efficiency margin-impressive in its own right-but the deeper story lies in the split between offense and defense.
Florida’s adjusted offensive efficiency sits at 120.1, good for 24th nationally, while their defense is even better, ranked 10th with a 94.4 rating. That’s a defense-first identity that’s clearly taking shape, and it’s helping them stay competitive even when the shots aren’t falling.
And let’s be honest-those shooting struggles have been real, particularly in the backcourt. But there’s a silver lining: Xaivian Lee’s recent breakout performance is a sign that help may be on the way. If he can continue to develop into a consistent scoring option, it could unlock a new level for this offense.
Florida finds itself wedged between Michigan State (No. 15, +25.86) and Illinois (No.
18, +24.91) in the KenPom hierarchy. That’s a competitive neighborhood, and with marquee matchups against No.
3 Duke and No. 7 UConn looming, the Gators have a chance to climb quickly if they can pull off a statement win or two.
Tempo and Style of Play
Florida is playing fast-faster than you might expect from a team with a frontcourt-heavy roster. Their adjusted tempo is 72.9 possessions per game, ranking 22nd in the country.
That’s a noticeable uptick from last season, when they struggled to crack the top 50 in pace. It’s a sign that this team wants to run, even if the execution hasn’t always matched the ambition.
Understanding the “Luck” Factor
KenPom’s “luck” rating can be a bit of a head-scratcher, but here’s the short version: it measures the gap between a team’s actual record and what their record should be based on efficiency metrics. Florida’s luck rating is -.055, which ranks 278th nationally.
In plain terms? The Gators have underperformed a bit relative to their statistical profile.
That could mean they’re due for a bounce-back-or it could just reflect a few missed opportunities in close games.
Strength of Schedule: A Tough Road Early
One thing Florida has going for it is a legitimately strong non-conference schedule. They’ve already faced three top-25 teams before December, and that’s going to keep their strength-of-schedule metrics healthy.
Their non-conference SOS is currently +7.83, ranking 35th nationally. Missing out on a matchup with Wisconsin at the Rady Children’s Invitational was a missed opportunity, but upcoming games against Duke and UConn will more than make up for it.
Since SEC play hasn’t started yet, Florida’s overall SOS mirrors their non-conference numbers. But it’s worth noting: there are still 13 more Quadrant 1 games on the schedule, and that number could shift as teams rise or fall in the rankings.
Right now, their opponents are averaging 111.3 points per 100 possessions (50th), while allowing 103.5 (33rd). That’s a sign that Florida isn’t just beating up on soft competition-they’re being tested, and those tests are going to pay dividends come March.
The Bottom Line
Florida’s current KenPom ranking might not reflect the preseason hype, but there’s no reason to panic. This is a team with a top-10 defense, a fast-paced offensive system that’s still finding its rhythm, and a schedule that will give them plenty of chances to prove themselves.
If the guards can find their shooting touch-and if Xaivian Lee continues to emerge-the Gators could be a dangerous team down the stretch. The metrics say they’re close.
Now it’s about turning potential into results.