Gators in 'Great Spot' for March Madness Bid

Despite hovering on the bubble for most of 2023-24, Florida elevated itself into a firm spot among March's field of 64 with its dominant 81-65 win over Auburn.

Photo: Todd Golden and the Florida Gators; Credit: Zach Goodall 

On Saturday afternoon, Florida took the court for the second time in three games against a team ranked within the top 15 of the AP Top 25.  And, for the second time, the Gators bested the highly-ranked opponent. 

This time, though, it came in dominant fashion — with Florida controlling the contest for a full 40 minutes en route to the 81-65 final score — over an Auburn squad many consider the frontrunner to take home an SEC crown this season. 

Following the resounding statement victory in Gainesville over one of his mentors, Bruce Pearl, Gators head coach Todd Golden was asked about the message the win sent to the NCAA Tournament selection committee.

He answered candidly.

"I mean, we're a lock, the biggest lock in the world after today," UF's second-year head coach proclaimed. "I think the only thing we might have to decide is if we're wearing white home jerseys in the first round or putting those road unis on. But in all seriousness, we're in a great spot right now."

Despite a borderline letdown loss to Texas A&M on the road in between the triumphs over Kentucky and Auburn, the resume the Gators have built is indicative of a team firmly in the mix for a bid into March Madness, barring any unforeseen collapse in the final eight regular-season contests of the year.

They've recently secured two highlight wins while winning five of the last six contests and have yet to record any poor losses on the year, sitting at a perfect 14-0 against Quad II, III and IV opponents. Accordingly, Florida climbed to No. 26 overall on KenPom (No. 12 offense and No. 69 defense) and No. 31 in NET rankings.

The all-around ascension from UF of late is apparent, and it's captured the attention of several top SEC coaches, resulting in considerable praise for the Gators' operation. 

Most recently, Pearl spoke glowingly of Florida's form.

"They play with great confidence," he noted Saturday. "I knew they'd start well both halves, I just didn't think it would get away from us as much as it did. Give Florida all the credit. To blame my team because we didn't do this, we didn't do that — would take away from what I think is one of the top five teams in the league. 

"I've been through and seen almost everybody; Florida will finish in the top five."

Florida advances holding three more opportunities to bolster its resume with Quad I wins, including a home-and-home series with No. 15 Alabama beginning on Feb. 21.

On Tuesday, the Gators will face off with the LSU Tigers in Gainesville, aiming to avoid a letdown to keep a clean sheet in non-Quad I contests.

"We got to control the controllables and worry about LSU," Golden said. "Just as quickly as we entered this really safe space and really good spot, if you don't take care of the games on your schedule that you should — and LSU is not going to be an easy game by any stretch — but my point is, just as quickly as it got good for us, it can get bad if we don't take care of business. 

"So obviously, being thoughtful of where we are. But by no means are we content and we got eight league games left. We got a lot of work to do."

Tip-off against Matt McMahon's squad is set for 8 p.m. ET inside the Stephen C. O'Connell Center.

---

Stay tuned to All Gators for continuous coverage of Florida Gators football, basketball and recruiting. Follow along on social media at @AllGatorsOnFN on Twitter and All Gators on FanNation-Sports Illustrated on Facebook.