Florida basketball ranked in The Athletic’s power rankings

[ad_1]

The Florida Gators men’s basketball team is heading to the Final Four, and now they are ranked No. 2 in The Athletic’s latest Final Four power rankings.

After a jaw-dropping 84-79 comeback win over the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the Elite Eight, it’s no surprise the Gators are being taken seriously as a national title contender.

The Gators were down 71-61 with just six minutes left in regulation, but Todd Golden’s team never flinched. Florida closed the game on an 18-4 run, creating a signature moment in a March Madness run that has gained serious traction.

Now, Florida has a date with a familiar opponent from the SEC in the Auburn Tigers. Interestingly enough, The Athletic has Auburn at the bottom of their power rankings regarding the Final Four teams.

This is everything The Athletic sports writer Jim Root had to say about Florida basketball.

What The Athletic said about the Gators

“Texas Tech was the better team for 37 minutes on Saturday, but late in the game, Thomas Haugh and Walter Clayton Jr. refused to lose. The duo combined to hit four triples in the final three minutes, erasing a nine-point deficit and getting Florida back to the Final Four for the first time since 2014. Clayton’s 30 points led the way, but the Gators’ overall outstanding free throw shooting (25 of 27) — especially in contrast with the Red Raiders missing two critical front ends — earned them the victory. They now get Auburn, whom they obliterated on the Plains in early February.

Biggest reasons for optimism: “Florida is deep and immensely talented, and Clayton is the best closer in college basketball. They have survived shaky performances in this tournament, staring defeat in the face and coming out the other side. They will fear nothing in San Antonio.”

The Athletic’s Final Four power rankings

Duke Blue DevilsFlorida GatorsHouston CougarsAuburn Tigers

How to watch Florida-Auburn

This Final Four matchup is set as the Florida Gators play the Auburn Tigers on Saturday, April 5. The game will be…

[ad_2]
Source link : https://gatorswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/college/gators/mens-basketball/2025/03/31/florida-gators-basketball-rankings-final-four-ncaa-tournament/82738792007/

Author :

Publish date : 2025-03-31 14:30:00

Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.