Kelly Lambert-USA TODAY Sports
The No. 6 Florida Gators pulled off a tough win away from home against the disappointing Alabama Crimson Tide. Expected to compete for a 2014 NCAA Tournament berth to start the season, the Crimson Tide have not been anywhere near expectations as they now have an 8-10 record.
Billy Donovan’s Gators were led by Michael Frazier II’s 18-point scoring night which was coupled with a huge rebounding night from Will Yeguete who had 11. Alabama’s Trevor Releford just couldn’t carry his team enough to pull off the upset over Florida who eventually won 68-62. The win brings the Gators to 16-2 overall and 5-0 in conference play.
Florida has every opportunity to not only win the SEC but secure a top two seed in the 2014 NCAA Tournament as well. The Gators are a team that continues to get better as the season goes along, and with the competition in the extremely difficult SEC, the Gators will be prepared for tournament play. However, don’t think Florida will just run away with the SEC; there are several teams with the talent to pull off an upset.
Next up for the Gators are the Tennessee Volunteers. At times this year, Tennessee has looked like a team that could make the Elite Eight as well as looked like they could finish in the bottom half of the SEC. There’s no telling which Volunteers squad Florida will take on in Gainesville on Saturday, but remember, Florida has never beaten Tennessee at home or away since Cuonzo Martin took over. Expect an extremely close game in which the Gators must be completely focused or risk losing their first game of conference play.
Taylor Sturm is an SEC Basketball Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @TSturmRS, like him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
