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The Florida Gators came into the 2025 NCAA Tournament as the hottest team in college basketball, but after the first two rounds of play, ESPN's Neil Paine is not exactly convinced that Todd Golden's team is still hitting on all cylinders.
The Gators came out roaring in the tournament opener against the Norfolk State Spartans, running out to a 30-plus point lead in the first 15 minutes. However, the final 25 minutes left a lot to be desired, and Florida's close call against the UConn Huskies has not inspired much confidence either — despite the fact that the second-round opponent was also the two-time defending champions.
Paine put together his March Madness heat index column on Thursday ahead of the game, and here are his thoughts when it comes to Florida's current status.
"After handling Norfolk State with ease in the tourney opener, the Gators ran into real trouble on Sunday against two-time defending national champion UConn. Florida trailed for almost all of the second half before a few well-timed shots by Walter Clayton Jr. and some cold UConn shooting helped Florida regain control," Paine begins.
"Still, the Gators were already the No. 1 seed we had the most questions about going into the tournament, and they're going to need to play sharper than they did in the turnover-marred (they had a minus-6 turnover differential) near-upset that almost ended their run before it could begin."
Alex Condon, forward (9.6 Game Score, minus-1.7 vs. season average)
"Condon was Florida's third-most productive player by Game Score during the regular season, trailing Clayton Jr. and Alijah Martin, with solid averages of 11.1 points (on 50% shooting), 7.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists and a team-high 1.4 blocks per game. However, he was hardly a factor at all against UConn, producing one of his worst games of the season: 5 points on only 2 shots, with 7 rebounds and 4 assists but zero blocks," he notes.
"Additionally, a handful of late missed free throws threatened to open the door for a UConn comeback before his teammates slammed it shut. If Condon can't hold his own in a battle of the big men against Maryland's Derik Queen, the Gators will have a problem on their hands."
The No. 1 Florida Gators face off against the No. 4 Maryland Terrapins in the Sweet 16 on Thursday, March 27. That game will be played in San Francisco, California, with tipoff slated for 7:39 p.m. ET. The game will be broadcast on TBS.
Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: ESPN thinks Florida Gators might be cooling down in NCAA Tournament
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The Gators came out roaring in the tournament opener against the Norfolk State Spartans, running out to a 30-plus point lead in the first 15 minutes. However, the final 25 minutes left a lot to be desired, and Florida's close call against the UConn Huskies has not inspired much confidence either — despite the fact that the second-round opponent was also the two-time defending champions.
Paine put together his March Madness heat index column on Thursday ahead of the game, and here are his thoughts when it comes to Florida's current status.
Why Gators appear to be sliding
"After handling Norfolk State with ease in the tourney opener, the Gators ran into real trouble on Sunday against two-time defending national champion UConn. Florida trailed for almost all of the second half before a few well-timed shots by Walter Clayton Jr. and some cold UConn shooting helped Florida regain control," Paine begins.
"Still, the Gators were already the No. 1 seed we had the most questions about going into the tournament, and they're going to need to play sharper than they did in the turnover-marred (they had a minus-6 turnover differential) near-upset that almost ended their run before it could begin."
Florida's player in decline
Alex Condon, forward (9.6 Game Score, minus-1.7 vs. season average)
"Condon was Florida's third-most productive player by Game Score during the regular season, trailing Clayton Jr. and Alijah Martin, with solid averages of 11.1 points (on 50% shooting), 7.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists and a team-high 1.4 blocks per game. However, he was hardly a factor at all against UConn, producing one of his worst games of the season: 5 points on only 2 shots, with 7 rebounds and 4 assists but zero blocks," he notes.
"Additionally, a handful of late missed free throws threatened to open the door for a UConn comeback before his teammates slammed it shut. If Condon can't hold his own in a battle of the big men against Maryland's Derik Queen, the Gators will have a problem on their hands."
How to watch Florida-Maryland in Sweet 16
The No. 1 Florida Gators face off against the No. 4 Maryland Terrapins in the Sweet 16 on Thursday, March 27. That game will be played in San Francisco, California, with tipoff slated for 7:39 p.m. ET. The game will be broadcast on TBS.
Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: ESPN thinks Florida Gators might be cooling down in NCAA Tournament
Continue reading...
