ESPN bracketologist Joe Lunardi: Gators 'knocking on the door of a 6' seed
Not that long ago, the Florida Gators basketball team was simply fighting for a spot in the upcoming NCAA Tournament. But today, Todd Golden’s program seems poised to get a fairly good seeding in the prestigious event.
Per ESPN bracketologist Joe Lunardi, the No. 24-ranked Gators entered Saturday as a 7 seed.
“Not even a full month ago, they were a bubble team,” Lunardi said Saturday during an interview on SEC Network. “Check back even two or three weeks ago (they’re) in the 10, 11-seed range. Now, 7 knocking on the door of a 6.”
With Saturday’s 77-64 win at home over Vanderbilt, the Gators improved to 19-8 overall, 9-5 in the SEC. They’ve won eight of their past 10 league games after starting 0-2. During that recent stretch, Florida beat two ranked teams — No. 10 Kentucky on the road and No. 12 Auburn at home.
“This is really an extraordinary, I don’t want to say turnaround — I want to say evolution if you will of the Gators,” Lunardi said. “A lot of teams the whole isn’t equal to the sum of parts, but I think this squad it’s the other way around. They’re definitely getting the most out of what they have.”
He then added something that should get Florida fans excited.
“(The Gators) Look to me like a very dangerous team in one-and-done situation,” Lunardi said.
Florida began Saturday at No. 30 in the NCAA Net Rankings. That included a 2-8 record against Quad 1 opponents but a 16-0 mark against teams in Quads 2-4.
Saturday’s home win over a Vanderbilt team that is next to last in the SEC rankings won’t move the needle. In fact, Lunardi was more impressed with the Gators’ overtime loss at No. 13 Alabama earlier in the week.
“I think you could make the argument that game at the end of the day might help their metrics more than this one (Saturday), simply given site and quality of the opponent,” Lunardi said.
Lunardi said he thinks the SEC could get eight or even nine teams in the NCAA Tournament.
“I think the SEC is set up for a great finish here,” he said. “It’s gonna be even better next year.”
