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Florida begins its 2025 NCAA Tournament run Friday night, and while the Gators have high hopes for this year in March Madness, a first-round knockout a year ago has the roster focused on taking things one game at a time.
"(We are) really fortunate and happy to be here," head coach Todd Golden said to open his Thursday press conference. "Really proud of the season that our players have had to this point, 30 wins, winning the SEC Championship last week in the tournament and earning the 1-seed is something that we're really proud of. And we hope we're just getting started."
Golden has led Florida to the NCAA Tournament in two of three seasons as head coach in Gainesville, and he knows that this is the best team he's assembled so far. Still, remaining humble is a key factor in putting together the most important six-game win streak in these players' lives.
"It's a healthy balance because these opportunities aren't promised," Golden said. "We certainly don't take for granted the opportunity to come play in the NCAA Tournament. Again, we hope to be here for a while and play multiple games. These are memories that these guys will have for a lifetime."
The SEC Tournament was a dry run for the players who haven't experienced the NCAA Tournament before, such as backup guard Urban Klavžar who came over from Slovenia this offseason. However, much of the roster including four of five starters and sixth man Thomas Haugh have experience with March Madness.
Walter Clayton Jr., Alex Condon and Will Richard were all part of Florida's one-and-done trip to the Big Dance a year ago, and Alijah Martin rose to national prominence as a member of the Florida Atlantic squad that made the Final Four two years ago. Denzel Aberdeen was a depth player last year for Florida and Micah Handlogten was injured this time last year, but both are familiar with at least the first round of the tournament.
Experience can help teams navigate their way through the 68-team field, and a healthy dose of unselfishness goes a long way, too. Golden has praised his seniors all year for approaching the game with a workmanlike attitude, and he feels that this team is ready to make a giant push as the top seed in the West Region.
Florida begins tournament play Friday night at 6:40 p.m. against 16-seed Norfolk State.
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: Todd Golden takes humble approach ahead of Florida Gators Round 1 game
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"(We are) really fortunate and happy to be here," head coach Todd Golden said to open his Thursday press conference. "Really proud of the season that our players have had to this point, 30 wins, winning the SEC Championship last week in the tournament and earning the 1-seed is something that we're really proud of. And we hope we're just getting started."
Golden has led Florida to the NCAA Tournament in two of three seasons as head coach in Gainesville, and he knows that this is the best team he's assembled so far. Still, remaining humble is a key factor in putting together the most important six-game win streak in these players' lives.
"It's a healthy balance because these opportunities aren't promised," Golden said. "We certainly don't take for granted the opportunity to come play in the NCAA Tournament. Again, we hope to be here for a while and play multiple games. These are memories that these guys will have for a lifetime."
The SEC Tournament was a dry run for the players who haven't experienced the NCAA Tournament before, such as backup guard Urban Klavžar who came over from Slovenia this offseason. However, much of the roster including four of five starters and sixth man Thomas Haugh have experience with March Madness.
Walter Clayton Jr., Alex Condon and Will Richard were all part of Florida's one-and-done trip to the Big Dance a year ago, and Alijah Martin rose to national prominence as a member of the Florida Atlantic squad that made the Final Four two years ago. Denzel Aberdeen was a depth player last year for Florida and Micah Handlogten was injured this time last year, but both are familiar with at least the first round of the tournament.
Experience can help teams navigate their way through the 68-team field, and a healthy dose of unselfishness goes a long way, too. Golden has praised his seniors all year for approaching the game with a workmanlike attitude, and he feels that this team is ready to make a giant push as the top seed in the West Region.
Florida begins tournament play Friday night at 6:40 p.m. against 16-seed Norfolk State.
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: Todd Golden takes humble approach ahead of Florida Gators Round 1 game
Continue reading...
