ESPN ranks Florida Gators in NCAA Tournament Sweet 16

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The Florida Gators are in the men’s NCAA Tournament Sweet 17 for the first time in eight years after a pair of wins over the 16th-seeded Norfolk State Spartans and eighth-seeded UConn Huskies in the opening two rounds, respectively.

The Orange and Blue are among seven Southeastern Conference schools to make it to the tournament’s third round and are the highest-ranked SEC program remaining in play, according to ESPN’s Myron Medcalf in his reranking of the 16 teams whose national title hopes remain alive. Todd Golden’s team is ranked second, behind only fellow top-seeded Duke Blue Devils.

“Last summer, Walter Clayton Jr. tested the NBA draft waters. Without a first-round guarantee, he decided to return to Florida for his senior year, with his announcement on social media featuring the simple caption, ‘1 more.’ Clayton’s return is a great example of the benefits of the NIL landscape of college basketball,” Medcalf begins.

“Before NIL rules, he might have kept his name in the NBA draft to try to make money to support himself and his family. Now, the pressure to make a decision about his career has eased, and he can make money while still playing college basketball. The move also has helped him expand his role for the Gators, improve his draft stock and lead to him being named an AP first-team All-American on the back of stellar performances — including 23 points and a clutch 3-pointer to seal the game against UConn,” he continues.

“Thanks to him, the Gators are returning to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2017.”

SEC schools in ESPN’s Sweet 16 reranking

Florida holds the top spot among conference schools at No. 2, followed by the Auburn Tigers (No. 4), Tennessee Volunteers (No. 5), Alabama Crimson Tide (No. 6) and Kentucky Wildcats among the top-10. The Ole Miss Rebels and Arkansas Razorbacks came in at Nos. 14 and 16, respectively.

ESPN’s full Sweet 16 reranking

Duke Blue DevilsFlorida GatorsHouston CougarsAuburn TigersTennessee VolunteersAlabama Crimson TideMichigan State…

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Source link : https://gatorswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/college/gators/mens-basketball/2025/03/24/florida-basketball-ncaa-tournament-sweet-16-ranking-espn/82635647007/

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Publish date : 2025-03-24 15:36:00

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