Florida got back on the right track on Saturday with a convincing win over South Carolina on the road, but it still has a lot of work to do to make up for an 0-3 start to conference play. With the team sitting at just 10-6 on the season, it isn’t currently in great shape for the NCAA Tournament, and in the latest bracketology update from ESPN’s Joe Lunardi, the Gators are just barely in the field, sitting as the Last Team In.
As part of the Last Four In, Florida — who is slotted as a No. 12 seed — would have to take part in a play-in game just to make to the full bracket. UF is currently slotted to take on Oregon, who is coming off wins against UCLA and USC, in Dayton, Ohio.
With a win in that game, Lunardi would have the Gators playing in the East Region, taking on No. 5-seeded Xavier in the first round. A win would likely set up a second-round matchup against No. 4-seeded Michigan State and a game against No. 1-seed Arizona in the Sweet 16, if UF made it that far.
As far as the rest of the SEC, Auburn sits as the No. 1 overall seed after a 16-1 start, followed by No. 3-seeded Kentucky, No. 4-seeded LSU, No. 5-seeded Tennessee, No. 6-seeded Alabama and No. 11-seeded Mississippi State, who is also among the Last Four In. Texas A&M, meanwhile, is the First Team Out.
This season is not currently going to plan for Florida, who had a hot start to the season but cooled off quickly. The Gators may not be able to afford many more slipups in conference play if they want to keep their postseason hopes alive.
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