The Florida Gators have been tearing it up on the court since February, and ESPN's bracket guru Joe Lunardi seems to agree. However, he cautions that their No. 1 seed in the national tournament isn't a done deal just yet. Head coach Todd Golden has emphasized that they're not taking any games lightly as they head into the SEC Tournament.
Lunardi, speaking on 'Pardon the Interruption,' compared Florida to other top contenders like Duke, Michigan, and Arizona, but noted there's still work to be done.
"They're the only team on the No. 1 seed line that might slip if they exit early from the SEC tournament and UConn makes a strong comeback in the Big East," Lunardi explained.
For Gator fans, this shouldn't come as a shock. If Florida keeps up their current form, they should be in good shape.
The Gators have been more than just winners-they've been dominating. Since the start of the year, they've gone 16-2, with 13 of those wins by double digits, averaging an impressive 89.7 points per game.
Lunardi also mentioned that despite a rocky start to the season while integrating a new backcourt, the Gators have been exceptional over the past several weeks. Their recent surge has not only pushed UConn off the top line but also positioned them as a formidable threat to repeat as champions.
Florida is set to kick off their SEC tournament defense on Friday against the winner of the Kentucky-Missouri matchup. They've recently bested the Wildcats twice, but a potential rematch with Missouri could offer a chance to avenge a close 76-74 loss from January.
As the Gators gear up for the tournament, they're clearly a team to watch, blending high-octane offense with a drive to maintain their top-seed status.