Florida will host Iona in NIT

Its tournament time, but not all teams make it to the big dance. Specifically, the Gators will be playing in the NIT Wednesday v. Iona, serving as the No. 3 seed in the tournament. Florida will be be coached by interim coach Al Pinkins as former coach Mike White left the team to go coach at rival Georgia Sunday.

Exciting day in Athens!

Join us in welcoming Mike White as the new head coach of Georgia Basketball.#GoDawgs pic.twitter.com/mKpzOyklKd

— Georgia Bulldogs (@UGAAthletics) March 13, 2022

Florida 2021-22 season struggles

Florida’s 2021-22 season was considered average by the grunt of the fan base, finishing the regular season at 9-9 in the SEC and 19-13 overall.  Surely, such performance led to the Gators  missing the Big Dance.

Florida was considered on the bubble to make the NCAA tournament. However, after losing to Texas A&M on Thursday in the SEC tournament, the team was all but eliminated.

https://twitter.com/GatorsMBK/status/1503197030071554049?s=20&t=2HHinpCiG71GVeNF-M99mg

On Iona

Iona is coached by a familiar face for college hoops fans. Significantly, the Gaels are coached by Hall of Famer Rick Pitino, leading his team to 25 regular season wins. Yet, after falling to Rider in the MAAC Tournament, Pitino and co. are headed to the NIT. In 2021, Iona made an NCAA Tournament appearance.

Fans have begun to put the former Louisville coach atop of hot boards for Florida’s head coaching vacancy. Yet, at age 70 with loads of baggage, it remains unseen whether the former coach of Billy Donavan will garner serious consideration from the University.

No. 3 Florida hosts No. 10 Iona in the first round of the NIT Wednesday at 9 p.m. on ESPN2.