SEC Basketball: Four Teams Who Can Challenge Calipari, Kentucky for Title
By Lee Wardlaw
Florida Gators
Why they’ll win: In Michael White’s first season, these Gators have been fighters. They’ve been losing close ones to current national powers Purdue, Miami (FL), and Michigan State. Despite a 9-4 record, they comfortably sit in the nation’s 18th slot in Real Times RPI’s latest standings.
A final minute loss to rival Florida State was heartbreaking, but chomping Georgia in the conference opener did plenty to ease that pain. The defense is stingy, only allowing opponents to shoot for 37.3% from the field.
Why they won’t: The Gators are a young, inexperienced team who struggles shooting the ball. Nine of sixteen players on the roster are either a freshman or sophomore, coupled with holding the worst field goal percentage in the whole SEC.
Next: South Carolina