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The Florida men’s basketball team is ranked No. 5 by The Associated Press for the third week in a row.
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— 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’Connell Center. Only falling to Kentucky and Missouri, Florida and staff have a strong team on their hands.
The Gators had great offense last year, but their defense is where they suffered their “Achilles’ heel,” according to Florida coach Todd Golden.
“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,” Golden said.
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 who improved that realm. Sophomore Rueben Chinyelu, a transfer from Washington State, achieved his season-high in rebounds against Tennessee earlier this month.
On The Road
Florida center Micah Handlogten would have helped the Gators defensively had he given up his redshirt this 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 ranked No. 1 earlier in the season last time the two teams met. That game ended in the Gators handing the Vols a 30-point loss, their first of the year. The rematch takes place Saturday at noon and carried on the Gator Sports Network.
