Florida Keeps Steady And Stays Ranked At No. 5

Florida men’s basketball is ranked No. 5 by the AP Poll for the third week in a row.

staying at 5️⃣ pic.twitter.com/bE3B4cZGlQ

— Florida Gators Men’s Basketball (@GatorsMBK) January 27, 2025

Three Week Hot Streak

After knocking out Texas, South Carolina, and Georgia in three weeks time, Florida is once again ranked in the top 25. With an overall record of 18-2 the Gators are powering through anyone who gets in their way in front of what is usually a sold out crowd in the O’Dome. Only falling to Kentucky and Missouri, Florida and staff have a strong team on their hands.

https://twitter.com/GatorsMBK/status/1882825173700956232

According to head coach Todd Golden, the Gators had great offense last year but their defense is where they suffered their “Achilles heal.” When asked before the season about his prediction for the fall he said “This year, we’re doing a better job as a staff kind of allocating time and resources to both sides of the ball, and my hope is that will lead to us being a better defensive team.” His hopes came true as Florida’s defense is now one of the best in the nation – equally as good, if not better than, their offense.

Rebounds in particular have been a struggle for the Gators in the past, but this year the team added a couple players that improved that realm. Sophomore Rueben Chinyelu, a transfer from Washington State, achieved his season-high in rebounds against Tennessee earlier this month. Fifteen puts Chinyelu leading the team with Sophomore Sam Alexis close behind with 12. Alexis is a transfer from Chattanooga, who etched 287 rebounds in two seasons with the Mocs.

On The Road

Florida Center Micah Handlogten is ought to help out the Gators defensively as he is officially forgoing his redshirt year. A gruesome injury that fractured his leg in last season’s SEC tournament against Auburn put Handlogten on the sideline throughout most of this season. The junior became an internet sensation from his positive reinforcement on the sideline, but reports suspect that Handlogten will be ready to go this weekend.

Florida will take this new and improved defense on the road to face the No. 8 Tennessee Volunteers. The Vols were previously ranked No. 1 earlier in the season last time the two teams faced. That game ended in the Gators handing the Vols a 30-point loss, their first of the year. The rematch will take place this Saturday at noon and can be listened to on the Gator Sports Network.