Florida Gators
SEC (20-12, 11-7)
After just missing out on the Final Four in 2017, Coach Mike White hopes to continue the NCAA Tournament success in 2018. Florida picked up some big non-conference wins, most notably against Gonzaga and Cincinnati, and played relatively consistently in the very balanced SEC.
Big Wins: 11/24 vs Gonzaga (111-105), 12/9 vs Cincinnati (66-60), 2/24 Auburn (72-66)
Bad Losses: 1/13 at Mississippi (72-78), 1/24 South Carolina (72-77), 2/17 at Vanderbilt (68-71)
Coach: Michael White
Why They Can Surprise:
The Gators do a very good job of creating turnovers and avoiding turnovers of their own. Much of the credit on both sides of the turnover margin goes to senior point man Chris Chiozza. Finally stepping into a starting role, Chiozza is averaging 6.1 assists and just 1.9 turnovers per game. He also boasts 1.89 steals per contest. He is a very capable scorer too, but Chiozza will also set up the other talented scorers on the perimeter. Jalen Hudson leads the team with 15.3 points per game and is the team’s most prolific three-point shooter. Egor Koulechov can score from everywhere on the floor as well and is also one of the best rebounding guards in the country. KeVaughn Allen has been more inconsistent shooting the ball this season compared to his sophomore year, but he is still extremely dangerous and can take over a game when his shot is falling.
Why They Can Disappoint:
Despite Koulechov helping out on the glass and leading this team in rebounding, Florida has struggled mightily on the glass. Keith Stone is a good stretch four who can knock down shots and Kevarrius Hayes has emerged as a very productive shot blocker, but neither is particularly strong when it comes to rebounding. The lack of frontcourt depth does not help either. This group must win the turnover battle in order to make up for any potential lost possessions in the rebounding department. If they lose both, Florida will be susceptible to heading home earlier than they hope.
Probable Starters:
Chris Chiozza, Senior, Guard, 11.2 ppg, 6.1 apg, 4.4 rpg, 1.8 spg
Jalen Hudson, Junior, Guard, 15.3 ppg, 3.9 rpg
Egor Koulechov, Senior, Guard, 13.6 ppg, 1.3 apg, 6.5 rpg
Keith Stone, Sophomore, Forward, 8.9 ppg, 4.0 rpg
Kevarrius Hayes, Junior, Center, 4.9 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 2.0 bpg
Key Role Players:
KeVaughn Allen, Junior, Guard, 11.3 ppg, 2.3 apg
Mike Okauru, Freshman, Guard, 3.8 ppg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 76.2 (105th in nation, 5th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 69.1 (95, 6)
Field-Goal Percentage: 43.5 (247, 11)
Field-Goal Defense: 42.8 (106, 11)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 9.0 (65, 4)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 37.4 (69, 4)
Free-Throw Percentage: 72.0 (143, 7)
Rebound Margin: -1.8 (266, 14)
Assists Per Game: 13.0 (230, 10)
Turnovers Per Game: 9.8 (7, 1)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
2017 NCAA Round of 64 win over East Tennessee State
2017 NCAA Round of 32 win over Virginia
2017 NCAA Regional Semifinal win over Wisconsin
2017 NCAA Regional Final loss to South Carolina
2016 NIT First Round win over North Florida
2016 NIT Second Round win over Ohio State
2016 NIT Quarterfinal loss to George Washington
2014 NCAA Round of 64 win over Albany
2014 NCAA Round of 32 win over Pittsburgh
2014 NCAA Regional Semifinal win over UCLA
2014 NCAA Regional Final win over Dayton
2014 NCAA National Semifinal loss to Connecticut
2013 NCAA Round of 64 win over Northwestern State
2013 NCAA Round of 32 win over Minnesota
2013 NCAA Regional Semifinal win over Florida Gulf Coast
2013 NCAA Regional Final loss to Michigan
2012 NCAA Round of 64 win over Virginia
2012 NCAA Round of 32 win over Norfolk State
2012 NCAA Regional Semifinal win over Marquette
2012 NCAA Regional Final loss to Louisville
2011 NCAA Round of 64 win over UC-Santa Barbara
2011 NCAA Round of 32 win over UCLA
2011 NCAA Regional Semifinal win over BYU
2011 NCAA Regional Final loss to Butler
2010 NCAA Round of 64 loss to BYU
2009 NIT First Round win over Jacksonville
2009 NIT Second Round win over Miami
2009 NIT Quarterfinal loss to Penn State
2008 NIT First Round win over San Diego State
2008 NIT Second Round win over Creighton
2008 NIT Quarterfinal win over Arizona State
2008 NIT Semifinal loss to Massachusetts
*all team stats through 3/4
