The Florida Gators have been on a tear since February, establishing themselves as one of the top teams in the nation. Joe Lunardi, ESPN's bracketology guru, acknowledges their prowess but cautions that their No. 1 seed in the national tournament isn't a done deal just yet. As the Gators head into the SEC Tournament, Coach Todd Golden is focused on maintaining their winning momentum.
Lunardi, speaking on 'Pardon the Interruption', placed Florida alongside other top contenders like Duke, Michigan, and Arizona. However, he noted that Florida's position isn't entirely secure.
If the Gators falter early in the SEC tournament and UConn clinches the Big East by defeating St. John's, Florida's top seed could be in jeopardy.
Florida fans shouldn't be too alarmed, though. The Gators have been steamrolling their opponents, boasting a 16-2 record since the start of the year, with 13 of those victories by double digits.
Averaging 89.7 points per game, their recent performances have been nothing short of dominant. Lunardi emphasized that Florida's recent surge has not only displaced UConn but also positioned them as formidable contenders for back-to-back championships.
Despite a rocky non-conference start, as the team adjusted to a new backcourt, the Gators have hit their stride over the past several weeks. Their impressive run has them standing toe-to-toe with other elite teams, making them a formidable defending champion.
The Gators are set to begin their SEC tournament defense on Friday, facing the winner of the Kentucky-Missouri matchup. Having recently bested the Wildcats twice, Florida might also get a shot at redemption against the Tigers, who edged them out 76-74 in January.