SEC Basketball: Preseason power rankings for 2023-24 season

By Matt Melton | Nov 4, 2023

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - MARCH 12: Mark Sears #1 of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts to scoring a three point basket against the Texas A&M Aggies in the first half during the finals of the 2023 SEC Men's Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 12, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Carly Mackler/Getty Images) /

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Florida Gators guard Riley Kugel (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images) /

9. Florida Gators

Sitting at No. 9 in our 2023-24 SEC basketball preseason power rankings is Florida, as the Gators are entering year No. 2 under head coach Todd Golden.

The Gators are coming off one of their worst single-seasons in recent years, a year in which they finished with a 16-17 overall record, as well as 9-9 mark in SEC play. This would be the Gators second-straight 9-9 season in SEC play, as well as the first year Florida finished with an overall record under-.500 since 2014-15 (16-17 overall).

After averaging 71.2 PPG last season, as well as allowing 68.6 PPG, undoubtedly the biggest loss for the Gators is that of Colin Castleton, who averaged 16 PPG and 7.7 RPG a year ago. In addition to the forward, Florida also has to replace the likes of Kyle Lofton, Kowacie Reeves, Alex Fudge, Myreon Jones, and Trey Bonham, among others, with the group altogether composing a majority of the Gators production last season.

Headlining the returning production for Florida is the duo of Will Richard and Riley Kugel, with both combining to average 20.3 PPG a year ago, and will be joined by a lengthy list of newcomers. That group features multiple transfers making their way to Gainesville, headlined by UC Riverside transfer Zyon Pullin, Iona transfer and 2022-23 MAAC Player of the Year Walter Clayton Jr., and Marshall transfer Micah Handlogten.

Florida will begin their 2023-24 campaign at home November 6 against Loyola Maryland.

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