Gators Still Team to Beat in the SEC

At the beginning of the season, it seemed like the SEC was going to be a three-team race between Florida, Kentucky and Texas A&M. However, with A&M’s subpar start to the conference schedule and with Kentucky underperforming expectations and dropping out of the AP Top 25 for the first time since 2014, the SEC race is completely wide open.

Even with a disappointing loss to South Carolina on Wednesday night, the Gators sit in 2nd place in the conference at 6-2 and have won eight of their past ten.

Gators Leading the Pack

Let’s take a look at how the Gators have been dominating the SEC this season.

• They rank 1^st in made three-pointers (189) and 3^rd in three-point percentage (37.9%)
• Rank 3^rd in points per game at 80.8.
• They have the least turnovers (200 total / 10.0 per game) and have the highest assist/turnover ratio (1.4)
• They have the 2^nd best free-throw percentage at 76.3%
• Egor Koulechov (94.6%), Chris Chiozza (90.5%) and KeVaughn Allen (90%) all rank in the top five in the SEC in free-throw percentage
• Jalen Hudson ranks 4^th with 16.5 points per game
• Chris Chiozza is 1^st in the SEC with 6.2 assists per game and 2^nd with 1.9 steals per game
• Kevarrius Hayes ranks 5^th with 2.0 blocks per game
• Jalen Hudson ranks 5^th in three-pointers made with 48
• Keith Stone ranks 3^rd in three-point percentage at 46.8%
• In conference play, the Gators have the top-ranked offensive efficiency (113.9), best turnover percentage (12.5%) and top three-point percentage (40.3%)

Quality Wins

The Gators have now outscored SEC opponents by 6.0 points per game, including three double-digit victories. They defeated Texas A&M and Kentucky, both on the road. The Gators have also beaten four ranked opponents away from home this season. No other team in the country has accomplished this feat to date.

While there is still more than half of the SEC slate left to play, the Gators are the favorite to take home the regular season crown. However, with numerous teams bunched at the top of the SEC, it’s anyone’s (regular season) title to snatch. The SEC tournament will be a completely different story.