As the Texas Longhorns prepare to take on the defending national champion Florida Gators at the Moody Center, the stakes couldn't be higher. A win against the No.
7 Gators might just punch Texas's ticket to the NCAA Tournament, according to Longhorns coach Sean Miller. And with Florida's current form, that's no small feat.
“They're playing their best basketball of the season right now,” Miller noted, highlighting the Gators' dominant road performances. Florida's been on a tear, winning their last several road games by significant margins. It's clear that Texas will have their hands full.
Florida stands atop the SEC, leading Alabama, Arkansas, and Tennessee by two games. Ranked as the top SEC team in the latest AP poll and seventh in the NET rankings, their credentials are undeniable.
After a rocky 5-4 start, with losses to powerhouses like Duke, Arizona, and Connecticut, the Gators have only stumbled twice since. Riding a seven-game winning streak, they've been scoring at least 85 points in six consecutive road games-a testament to their offensive prowess.
Defensively, the Gators are no slouches either. They rank sixth in the league in scoring at 86.4 points per game and allow just 71.2 points, despite a grueling nonconference schedule. Their opponents shoot a mere 40.4% from the floor, the best mark in the SEC, and they dominate the boards, outrebounding teams by an average of 14.7 per game.
Miller acknowledges the challenge, “Florida is a great program, and they’re playing their best. Teams have tried to take them down and haven’t come close. They’re blowing teams out, and we don’t want to be one of them.”
A fast start and a lively home crowd will be crucial for Texas, especially with the early 6 p.m. tip-off coinciding with Austin’s rush hour. Rebounding will be a key focus, particularly with reserve power forward Lassina Traore possibly missing his fifth straight game due to knee issues.
Florida's frontcourt is formidable, featuring 6-foot-9 forward Thomas Haugh (17.3 points, 6.2 rebounds per game), 6-11 forward Alex Condon (14.0 points, 8.0 rebounds), 6-10 post Rueben Chinyelu (11.5 points, 11.8 rebounds), and 7-1 reserve Micah Handlogten (4.3 points, 6 rebounds). Keeping them off the glass is a tall order.
“Rebounding will be a big determining factor in the final score,” Miller emphasized. “The team that beats Florida will feel good about their rebounding.”
Texas will need to be at their best, leaning into the energy of the home crowd at the Moody Center. “I hope the atmosphere is the best it’s been all season,” Miller said. “We’ll need it against an opponent like Florida.”
Catch Texas (17-10, 8-6 SEC) vs. Florida (21-6, 12-2) at 6 p.m.
Wednesday at the Moody Center in Austin. Tune in on ESPN2 or catch the game on 1300 AM and 98.1 FM.