Florida Basketball: 2017-18 season preview for the Gators

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ORLANDO, FL – MARCH 18: Fans cheer as the Florida Gators take on the Virginia Cavaliers in the second half during the second round of the 2017 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Amway Center on March 18, 2017 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

Key Conference games

Jan. 2 – at Texas A&M

Jan. 6 – at Missouri

Jan. 20 – at Kentucky

Jan. 27 – at Alabama

Mar. 3 – Kentucky

Two of the first three games in conference play are a couple of teams expected to be vastly improved from a year ago. Without playing a road game the first couple of months of the season, how they begin conference play will go a long way in determining how they finish.

Just a couple of weeks later, the Gaters get to travel to Rupp Arena to face Kentucky. Depending on how the first few games could go, this may become a must-win. The Gators have a front-loaded schedule and could be behind the eight ball before February even starts.

If Florida can right the ship and remain in contention then the final game of the regular season will have the Wildcats traveling to Gainesville for all the marbles. White has already had success at home against Calipari, but by then the Wildcat freshmen will be veterans.

The league as a whole has improved, considering how the two normal bottom feeders, Missouri and LSU, could be fighting for a spot in the Big Dance.

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