Florida remains outside USA TODAY Sports’ bracketology despite win
Florida basketball finally snapped its three-game losing streak on Wednesday night with a 79-64 win over the visiting Ole Miss Rebels. However, it appears that the victory was a bit Pyhrric as the Gators lost their top statistical leader Colin Castleton to a hand injury, which sources report will keep him out for the remainder of the regular season.
Unfortunately, the Quadrant 3 home win was not enough to really move the needle for Todd Golden’s team, which took a dagger to the heart in their game prior against the Vanderbilt Commodores, who upset the Orange and Blue in Gainesville. As such, USA TODAY Sports‘ Eddie Timanus, Paul Myerberg and Erick Smith published their latest bracketology and once again omitted the Gators from their field of tournament teams for the second-straight update.
The Southeastern Conference has a total of nine bids in the projected final 68, represented by Alabama Crimson Tide (No. 1 seed), the Tennessee Volunteers (No. 2), Missouri Tigers (No. 8), Arkansas Razorbacks (No. 9), Auburn Tigers, (No. 10), Texas A&M Aggies (No. 10) and Kentucky Wildcats (No. 11); the Mississippi State Bulldogs sit among the Last Four In group.
Next up for Florida are the Razorbacks, who host the Gators inside Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville, Arkansas, on Saturday, Feb. 18. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. EST and can be watched on the ESPN2 or heard on the Gator Sports Network.
Take a look below at USA TODAY Sports’ full bracketology update.
Last four in
North Carolina, Memphis, Mississippi State, Clemson.
First four out
Southern California, Wisconsin, Arizona State, Penn State.
Next four out
Oregon, Seton Hall, New Mexico, Utah State.
Conference breakdown
Multi-bid conferences: Big 12 (8), Big Ten (8), SEC (8), ACC (7), Big East (5), Mountain West (3), American Athletic (2), Pac-12 (2), West Coast (2).
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Sources: Florida's Colin Castleton out for season with broken hand
KenPom gives Florida basketball a one-spot lift in rankings update
ESPN's Basketball Power Index bumps Gators up after win
Gators inch up NET rankings after Ole Miss win on Wednesday
Here's how Florida basketball snapped its losing streak against Ole Miss
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