Todd Golden identifies key concerns for Florida in 2024-25

Florida is coming off an NCAA Tournament appearance, as well as a run to the SEC Tournament championship game, as it heads into its third year under head coach Todd Golden.

Expectations are sky high for the Gators, who checked in ranked No. 21 in the preseason AP Top 25. And so far Golden is very pleased with what he’s seen.

“This group’s been pretty good in our preparation,” Golden said on Another Dooley Noted podcast. “I think you’re always worried just making sure that you’re doing everything you can to prepare your team the best you can. I feel like we’ve had a good camp that way.”

Florida should have some serious length at its disposal, with the additions of Washington State transfer Rueben Chinyelu and Chattanooga transfer Sam Alexis complementing returning bigs Alex Condon and Thomas Haugh.

The backcourt is stacked, with first-team All-SEC guard Walter Clayton Jr. leading the way.

So Golden was asked what his chief concerns for his team are entering Year 3, and he outlined two areas.

“If I had to pick a couple things it would be staying healthy, making sure that we stay upright,” Golden said. “I think if we’re able to use our depth all year we’ll be in good shape. I want to see improvement on the defensive side off the ball. It’s an area that we’ve emphasized quite a bit, all through summer and camp. And I do think we’ll be better that way, but we’ve got to go do it.”

The pieces are there.

Guards Will Richard and Alijah Martin (a Florida Atlantic transfer) should help power the team’s scoring and backcourt defense. Throw them in with the length the Gators have across the front line and Florida could be scary good defensively.

That’s all Golden’s really focused on right now ahead of the season opener against South Florida.

“Really those are the two main things,” he said. “I think if we can be sufficient in those areas we’ll be in good shape.”