I half jokingly called the Gators NIT bound in December. As they've proved, nothing could be further from the truth. Sitting pretty at 20-5 (9-2, 1st SEC East) with a RPI of 11 and SOS of 5, the Gators are well on their way to a nice seeding and a chance (??) to make some noise in March.
December brought some bad losses to UCF and Jacksonville. They were pummeled by the Luckeyes at home in November. The best non-con win is over A-10 stalwart Xavier. But Florida has found itself in conference play, going 9-2 with losses to USC and Mississippi State and that loss to USC was answered with a thrashing at USC this past week.
KenPom rates them 40th in AdjO and 33rd in AdjD. Overall, they're actually 1 spot behind the Gold. Florida's calling card is their defense. 36th in overall scoring and 80th in FG% d, this team can guard as they are the best at not committing fouls in the land. They also crash the boards (17th). They're so-so on offense, 122nd in scoring and 110th in shooting. They do not make many 3's, about 6 per (201st). They're also weak at the line (249th), 66.1.
Florida's in position to win the SEC but does that mean much? Kentucky is not the same team, obviously. Tennessee has been in a state of flux all year. Georgia is building into something. Vandy is regular, reliable Vandy. And other than Alabama, the West has been mediocore at best represented by Mississippi State. I'll watch Florida the rest of the season. There will be something to be said if they run away and hide in the East and make a deep run in the conference tourney but I'll have some reservations about them come March, especially if they get a 3 seed as Brian projects.
Drink good wine.
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