Things have been looking good of late for the Florida basketball program, which has climbed back up the major polls and power rankings after posting a less-than-impressive non-conference record as well as an SEC-opening loss.
Besides a home hiccup since then against the Auburn Tigers, succumbing to their conference foes at home for the first time in 30 years, the Gators have looked like a team that can go deep in the NCAA Tournament once again. A record-setting 47-point shellacking of the South Carolina Gamecocks on the road, followed by a 23-point victory over the Alabama Crimson Tide at home, has the national media feeling bullish about the Orange and Blue.
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Among them is ESPN’s Jeff Borzello, who elevated Florida five spots to No. 12 in his latest power rankings.
“After Sunday’s 23-point win over Alabama, the Gators have the most efficient offense and defense in the SEC at KenPom, by a fairly comfortable margin at both ends of the floor. Their 3-point shooting is likely to continue to be an issue all season, but they scored 100 points against Alabama, despite making just three 3s,” he notes.
“They’re so incredibly dominant around the rim, ranking fifth nationally at CBB Analytics in paint points per game, first in offensive rebounds per game and second in second-chance points. The interior is also what propels their defense. Led by Rueben Chinyelu, Florida is second in defensive rebounding rate and ranks in the top 10 in 2-point defense and blocks per game.”
The Gators are still behind the Vanderbilt Commodores, who check in at No. 11, despite their 98-94 road win back in mid-January. The Arkansas Razorbacks (No. 16), Tennessee Volunteers (No. 19) and Alabama (No. 23) are the other SEC schools mentioned in this power rankings update.
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ESPN’s men’s college basketball power rankings
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Michigan Wolverines (20-1)
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Illinois Fighting Illini (20-3)
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Iowa State Cyclones (20-2)
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Nebraska Cornhuskers (20-2)
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Purdue Boilermakers (18-4)
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Vanderbilt Commodores (19-3)
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Michigan State Spartans (19-4)
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Texas Tech Red Raiders (16-6)
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Arkansas Razorbacks (16-6)
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North Carolina Tar Heels (18-4)
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Virginia Cavaliers (19-3)
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Tennessee Volunteers (16-6)
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Saint Louis Billikens (22-1)
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St. John’s Red Storm (17-5)
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Alabama Crimson Tide (15-7)
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Louisville Cardinals (16-6)
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Miami (Ohio) RedHawks (23-0)
Dropped out: None
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This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Florida basketball’s power ranking per ESPN has Gators moving up
