NCAA Basketball: Tennessee, Baylor, Illinois rise in latest top 25 power rankings
By Joey Loose
21. Florida (18-7)
These are not your parents’ Gators, though that doesn’t mean Todd Golden’s squad doesn’t have legitimate potential for this season. In recent weeks, Florida secured impressive wins over Auburn and Kentucky and has played really efficient offensive ball across a recent stretch of success, but can they sustain this beyond the regular season?
They built a nice halftime lead back on Tuesday and held on, barely squeaking out an 82-80 home win over LSU. It wasn’t exactly the second half they were hoping for, but Walter Clayton Jr. had 21 points and the Gators survived. Florida was back in action over the weekend and secured a season sweep over Georgia, clawing out of a halftime hole for an 88-82 road win against the Bulldogs. Clayton scored 21 again while Zyon Pullin added 16 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists.
They won a pair of games, but the Gators certainly didn’t move the needle with two iffy performances against teams that won’t reach March Madness. Florida has played significantly better recently, especially after a 1-3 start to conference play, but can they put it together consistently against top-tier opposition? A major test looms on Wednesday as they head to Alabama, facing a brutally explosive Crimson Tide offense.