NCAA Basketball: 2021-22 keys and storylines for Florida State vs Florida

The 2021-22 college basketball season isn’t even a week old and we are already getting a rivalry game. Florida vs Florida State is already happening, and it is going to be just as good as it always is. These two teams are likely going to finish at the top of the respective conferences, they both have high-ranked freshmen, and both play great defense. They are both going to be good on offense and the Gators and Seminoles should both be playing in the NCAA tournament in about four months’ time as well.

Leonard Hamilton is the coach for Florida State, and he has turned the Seminoles into one of the premier programs in the ACC and arguably the best overall team in Florida over the last 5 years. The Seminoles being in the same state creates this natural rivalry with Florida. The Gators were the best team in the state for a long time especially after they won two National Championships. Florida is trying to get back to that level of national relevance under head coach Mike White.

The teams enter the rivalry matchup both at 1-0 after each winning their tune-up games getting ready for this game. What are the keys for each team to win?  What do the Gators and Seminoles must avoid to win the game, and who are the key players for each team?  All of these will be discussed in-depth as this is a great early-season matchup between two good teams.

Florida State comes into the game ranked and Florida just missed the preseason rankings but likely will be ranked for most of the year.