“This year is going to be the year” is starting to become a theme for Florida basketball.
Last season, the Gators began as a top-10 team before struggles in the non-conference schedule quickly dropped them out of the top 25. UF was a marginal NCAA Tournament team by the end of the season, despite preseason projections having them making a deep run.
Florida’s roster is once again loaded with talent in 2020-21, though, and coach Mike White has never assembled a roster this experienced in Gainesville.
The Athletic’s Dana O’Neil is optimistic about the state of the Gators program. Asked by a reader if Florida has the potential to be a Final Four team, here’s her response.
Dana, What are your thoughts on the Florida Gators? How far do they go in the tourney? — Robin C.
There is no reason the Gators can’t go far. None. That roster is absolutely loaded — Keyontae Johnson, Scottie Lewis, Noah Locke, plus transfers Tyree Appleby and Anthony Duruji — and better yet, they are old. That’s the game-changer. Anyone who reads my mailbag regularly knows I’m a big believer in old guys win in March.
That’s the difference, I think, between last year’s crash and burn disappointment and this year’s legit possibility. Florida always was talented, but college basketball has proven time and time again that talent doesn’t always win games. You have to know how to win and play together and handle expectation and play smart.
These guys aren’t going to get their heads turned by people hyping them up, not after it all went sideways. They understand the difference between high school rankings and reality. I expect a far more mature approach, and this year especially, that’s going to pay huge dividends.
To answer your question succinctly: Florida is good enough to go to the Final Four.
If the Gators are going to be playing deep into March, they will need to play with more chemistry, especially on offense, than they have in past seasons under White. Whether or not that happens could be make-or-break for his future in Gainesville.
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