The Florida Gators are officially the top team in college basketball. The Gators moved up to No. 1 after Syracuse dropped back-to-back games last week, marking the first time Florida has reached the top since 2007 when the won the national championship. How long can it last? Vanderbilt is hoping only a few days as the Gators come to town for an SEC showdown.
Head coach Billy Donovan is hoping his team does not get too wrapped up in the ranking, instead staying focused on the upcoming road game against a conference team that could be poised to create the upset. Right now, the Gators are undefeated in SEC play and hope to remain that way for the remainder of the regular season heading into conference tournaments.
Florida is coming off a 75-71 win over Mississippi after their backcourt put up 35 points combined. The team remained efficient throughout the entire game and scored on every possession in the final minute to put the Rebels away. Beating Vanderbilt would give Florida a share of the SEC title while they can wrap up the conference championship by beating LSU over the weekend.
Vanderbilt is extremely shorthanded for the matchup, playing with just seven scholarship players. The Commodores are coming off wins in their last two of three games after defeating Auburn. The team rallied from the 16-point deficit to earn the 67-59 victory. Dai-Jon Parker scored a career-high 21 points to lead the team while two walk-ons sparked the late comeback.
Vanderbilt certainly plays well at home sitting at 10-4 on the season. The Gators of course have played well altogether, but they better be careful not to look past the Commodores.