With a win the Gators would face the winner between No. 8 seed UConn, the two-time defending national champion, and No. 9 seed Oklahoma (20-13) — 85-63 losers Feb. 18 in Gainesville. UConn (23-10) defeated UF 75-54 in December 2022 during Golden’s first season and en route to the Huskies’ national title, one of six by the school since 1999.

It's Florida basketball vs. Norfolk State in March Madness to open its 2025 NCAA Tournament men's bracket. Here's what to know about the first round game in Raleigh, N.C.

Florida should be a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament. The Gators left little doubt as to who the second No. 1 seed from the SEC would be with a 86-77 win over Tennessee in the SEC tournament title game on Sunday. Florida controlled the game for nearly its entirety and pulled away after a brief run by Tennessee in the second half.

A year after a heartbreaking loss in the same game on the same floor amid a devastating season-ending injury to a key player, Florida secured redemption on Sunday. The No. 2 seed Gators outlasted No.

Walter Clayton Jr. scored 22 points as fourth-ranked Florida won its fifth Southeastern Conference Tournament title and first since 2014 Sunday, beating the No. 8 Tennessee Volunteers 86-77.