Can Gators Keep Momentum Rolling In March Madness?

The No. 3 Florida Gators have cemented themselves as one of the premier teams in the nation following a dominant run through the SEC Tournament. With commanding wins against Missouri, Alabama and Tennessee, Florida secured its first conference tournament title since 2014.

Now, the Gators (30-4) head into the NCAA Tournament as the No. 1 seed in the West Region poised for a deep run in March Madness.

SEC Tournament Recap: Gators Make Statement in Nashville

Quarterfinals: Revenge Against Missouri

Florida wasted no time avenging their lone home loss of the season, dismantling Missouri 95-81 in the quarterfinals. The Gators had fallen to the Tigers in a narrow 83-82 defeat on Jan. 14, but this time, they flipped the script.

The trio of Walter Clayton Jr., Will Richard and Alijah Martin set the tone, combining for 52 points. Clayton led the charge with 18, while Richard and Martin contributed 17 apiece. Thomas Haugh, one of the best sixth men in the country, delivered a standout performance with 16 points and seven rebounds.

Semifinals: Breaking Alabama’s High-Scoring Machine

The Gators continued their dominance in a 104-82 rout of Alabama, proving their ability to compete with the highest-scoring teams in college basketball.

Clayton Jr. again led the way, scoring 22 points and adding three steals. Richard and Martin provided 16 points each, while Haugh contributed 11 points and four rebounds. Florida’s defense was just as impressive, holding an Alabama offense that had averaged more than 90 points per game to 82.

The Gators’ depth shined, with contributions from Micah Handlogten (10 rebounds, four points) and Alex Condon (eight points, four rebounds). The performance was so complete that even walk-on Bennett Anderson scored in the final seconds, marking the highest point total in an SEC Tournament game.

Championship Game: Finishing the Job Against Tennessee

In a rematch of last season’s SEC Championship loss, Florida made sure history did not repeat itself. The Gators claimed their fifth tournament title with an 86-77 victory against Tennessee.

Clayton led the charge once again with 22 points, proving his ability to step up in big moments and garner tournament MVP. Richard added 17, while Martin had a quieter night with 10 points. Condon had his best game of the tournament, putting up 13 points and nine rebounds, while Haugh continued his bench brilliance with 11 points and six rebounds.

Despite facing one of the toughest defenses in the country, Florida’s efficiency shined. The Gators knocked down nine 3-pointers and showcased their clutch factor from the free-throw line, converting 25-of-28 attempts (89.3%). Tennessee cut the lead to five multiple times, but Florida responded each time, using an 11-2 run to seal the win and secure their SEC crown.

Coach Todd Golden emphasized his team’s desire to make a statement in Nashville. When asked what message he felt the Gators had sent with their dominant SEC Tournament performance, Golden responded:

“Really, I just think we continue to prove when we have been all season, which is being one of the best teams in America, continuing to show that we can beat anybody in America. When we’re playing like this, I think we are the best team in America. We got to keep going.”

Here is the 2025 NCAA Tournament bracket, but with tip times, locations, and the network the games air on. pic.twitter.com/kEfWjqTl00

— Jeff D. Lowe (@JeffDLowe) March 17, 2025

NCAA Tournament Outlook: Gators Poised for Deep Run

Florida enters March Madness the top seed in the West Region, setting up a first-round matchup against No. 16 seed Norfolk State (24-10) in Raleigh, N.C., at 6:50 p.m. (TNT) Friday.

The Spartans enter the tournament as MEAC champions and have a history of pulling off upsets, famously shocking No. 2 Missouri in 2012. Florida will need to respect its opponent, but remains a heavy favorite to advance. If the Gators win, they would face either No. 8 seed UConn or No. 9 seed Oklahoma in the second round.

Looking ahead, potential matchups against Memphis (No. 5 seed), Maryland (No. 4 seed) or Grand Canyon (No. 13 seed) would await in the Sweet 16. The Gators’ ultimate goal is to reach the Western Regional final in San Francisco, with a trip to the Final Four in their sights.

Why This Gators Team Feels Special

Florida has not looked this dominant since coach Billy Donovan’s national title teams in 2006 and 2007. With a high-powered offense, defensive flexibility and experienced upperclassmen, this squad has all the makings of a national championship team.

Golden has masterfully managed this group, making key adjustments and unlocking the team’s full potential. Despite early-season adversity, including a Title IX investigation that he was ultimately cleared of, Golden has led Florida to an elite level.

The Gators have now scored 80-plus points in seven straight games and their ability to shift between small and traditional lineups makes them a nightmare matchup for any team.

Prediction: Can Florida Cut Down the Nets?

Florida enters the NCAA Tournament as one of the hottest teams in the country. If Clayton, Richard and Martin continue their strong play and Haugh keeps delivering off the bench, the Gators could be on a collision course for the Final Four.

The West Region presents challenges, with teams like UConn, Memphis, Maryland and St. John’s lurking. However, Florida’s blend of offensive firepower, defensive grit and tournament experience gives it a strong chance to go the distance.

This team has all the ingredients to make a deep run. With momentum on their side and a No. 1 seed in hand, the Gators are primed to make Gator Nation proud. The road to the Final Four starts now.