Florida Basketball: 5 reasons why Gators can win 2020 national championship

1) Special backcourt

Quality guard play might be the single most important thing in college basketball, especially when it comes to the NCAA Tournament. Guards have the greatest impact on the game and, when it comes to dealing with the inconsistencies that make up college basketball – different talent levels, various stages of player development, stadium atmospheres, the general hot-and-coldness of teenagers, etc – you need to be able to rely on the players that have the ball in their hands the most.

Florida’s backcourt isn’t laden with seniors, but it is filled with special players. That starts with sophomore point guard Andrew Nembhard, who is one of the country’s best playmakers and is primed for a breakout season. His head coach agrees.

"“If you ask Andrew, he’s going to be the guy. He started talking about that last spring. I’ve been open about that in the spring and the summer that he’s challenged himself and he’s made it known that he’s going to really step up his leadership.”"

Nembhard may be the leader, but he’s far from the only one who will make an impact on the perimeter.

Noah Locke, Florida’s second-leading scorer a year ago, also returns for his sophomore season and gives them a reliable three-point shooter. Keyontae Johnson will likely see some time on the perimeter as well but may have a bigger role with the frontcourt. Five-star freshmen Tre Mann and Scottie Lewis will also make very significant impacts as well. Mann is a combo guard who can also fill it up from distance, while Lewis is the kind of athletic freak that allows him to be a lockdown defender and a menace in transition.

All these players give Florida a deep, well-rounded backcourt that can also play together and give the Gators multiple looks.