In the latest update from ESPN bracketologist Joe Lunardi to his 2021 NCAA Tournament predictions, the Gators were picked as a No. 6 seed.
Lunardi placed Florida in the West Region, where Gonzaga is the No. 1 seed, set to play the first and second rounds in Dallas. Its projected first-round opponent is the victor of a play-in game between No. 11 seeds Clemson and Seton Hall. If coach Mike White’s team were to survive the first game, it would likely play No. 3 seed Texas Tech in the second round. With this bracket, the Gators could also draw Kentucky in the Elite Eight.
UF is one of seven SEC teams predicted by Lunardi to make the tournament, the third-most represented conference behind the Big 10 and ACC, which are each projected to put nine teams into the tournament. The other SEC teams slotted by Lunardi to make the big dance are No. 4 Kentucky, No. 4 Tennessee, No. 8 Alabama, No. 8 Arkansas, No. 8 LSU and No. 10 Ole Miss.
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