Gators back in AP poll at No. 24
GAINESVILLE (AP) – Florida’s 10-game winning streak is starting to get some attention.
The Gators are ranked No. 24 in the Monday’s Associated Press college basketball poll, moving back into the rankings for the first time since losing to Florida State in December. The Gators are the only Southeastern Conference team in the Top 25.
Florida was in a similar position last January. Coach Billy Donovan’s team started last season 18-3, 5-1 in league play, and jumped back in the poll after upsetting No. 14 Vanderbilt 86-64, but the Gators foundered the rest of the way, losing eight of their final 11 games and missing the NCAA tournament for the first time in a decade.
They hope to avoid a repeat performance.
“It’s kind of scary,” forward Dan Werner said. “It kind of seems like we’re in the same situation as we were last year after beating Vanderbilt. On one hand, I’m kind of excited. On the other hand, I’m kind of nervous. Hopefully, we don’t follow the same path we did last year.”
The Gators (16-2, 3-0 SEC) play their next two games on the road: against South Carolina Wednesday and Vanderbilt Sunday. Donovan and his players believe they’re better prepared to handle success this time.
Not only did the Gators miss the tournament, but Donovan kicked them out of their state-of-the-art practice facility following a loss to Alabama in the first round of the SEC tournament.
They practiced in the antiquated Florida Gym, had to do their own laundry and couldn’t wear any Florida attire – all because Donovan want to humble them for having a sense of entitlement.
It worked. The Gators advanced to the NIT semifinals and vowed to never take anything for granted again.