Florida basketball put on a show against LSU, bouncing back from a tough first-half stretch to secure a 79-65 victory. The Gators started strong, jumping to an 18-4 lead within the first eight minutes and extending it to 29-15 with seven minutes left in the half. However, a major scoring drought saw them enter halftime trailing 37-31. In the second half, they regained control and cruised to victory, improving their season record to 24-3.
With only four regular-season games left, let’s break down two truths and one lie about this Florida team.
Truth: This is the deepest Florida team in history
For the fifth straight game, Florida had at least five players score in double figures, setting a school record. Surprisingly, Will Richard wasn’t one of them, finishing with zero points, while Rueben Chinyelu had a breakout performance with 19 points and 13 rebounds. Even without Alex Condon, who remains sidelined with an ankle injury, the Gators have shown they don’t rely on just one player. Their depth makes them a dangerous team heading into the postseason.
Truth: This win kept Florida in the hunt for a No. 1 seed
Although the SEC is stacked, LSU is not considered a strong tournament contender. Florida’s victory ensured they stayed on pace for a top seed in the NCAA Tournament, but it didn’t give them much breathing room. With Auburn, Duke, Alabama, Houston, and Tennessee all winning their games, the Gators simply kept pace in the race for a No. 1 seed. However, losses by Missouri and Texas A&M gave Florida a two-game cushion for a top-four SEC finish and a valuable double bye in the SEC Tournament.
Lie: Florida is a tournament-proof team
While Florida is a legitimate national championship contender, their inconsistency could be a concern. Despite being a strong betting value at +900 odds, compared to Auburn (+340) and Duke (+390), the Gators’ seven-minute collapse before halftime against LSU is the kind of lapse that could cost them in the NCAA Tournament. In March, a single bad stretch against a top-tier opponent can mean an early exit.
Florida is undoubtedly one of the most dangerous teams in the country, but their ability to maintain momentum throughout a full 40 minutes will determine how far they go in March Madness.
