Florida vs Florida State: 5 key storylines for 2020-21 non-conference matchup

When the Florida Gators travel to the Donald L. Tucker Center to take on the Florida State Seminoles Saturday, more than the in-state rivalry is on the line.

There has never been a lack of interest when Florida Basketball and Florida State Basketball meet up. Despite playing in different conferences for the duration of their existence, the two teams have played at least once every year since taking a 10-season break from 1968-78.

Dubbed the ‘Sunshine Showdown’ the history behind the two-oldest universities in Florida is enough to make this a rivalry without including the emotional attachment each fanbase has for their team of preference.

Florida State has won the previous six meetings leading up to Saturday’s game, but the bitter taste of defeat can be cleansed with one victory from the mouths of the Gators. If the history alone is not enough, the 2020-21 edition of the ‘Sunshine Showdown’ features: AP Poll implications, the SEC pre-season Player of the Year, and a Freshman who will be in contention for Rookie of the Year in the SEC.

This will be Florida States’ last non-conference game, while Florida has three more scheduled, but none of the resume building quality that Florida State offers. With this being the Gators’ last game against a ranked opponent until Jan.19, 2021, fans can start dreaming about a 13-0 start. The Seminoles do not have nearly as much time to wait, for if the Duke Blue Devils are back to playing, Florida State will host them on Jan. 2, 2021.

During a season when nothing can be assumed or taken for granted, and just as hope was the last to leave Pandora’s Box, hope is what we have left, not just for this game or for the season, but for the bigger more important things we care about.