When you are cheering for the Gators in Tampa, make sure you protect your hearing
After a season that sent Florida across the country — Las Vegas, San Diego, New York City, Durham and more — the Gators are embracing the chance to begin the NCAA Tournament just two hours from Gainesville in Tampa. Head coach Todd Golden said the reduced travel is a major benefit after months of cross‑country trips.
Saturday’s matchup against either Lehigh or Prairie View A&M marks Florida’s first NCAA Tournament game in Tampa since 2011 and only the fifth time overall the Gators have opened the event there. Florida is 3–1 in Tampa tournament games, including wins in 2003 and 2011.
Gators historically strong in in‑state tournament games
Florida has thrived when playing NCAA Tournament games inside state lines. According to senior writer Chris Harry, the Gators are 11–2 in such games and have won nine straight, including victories in Orlando during the 2017 run.
Golden expects strong fan support in Tampa, noting Florida’s dominant home form over the last three seasons. Since going 10–6 at the O’Connell Center in his first year, the Gators are 33–3 at home with consistent sellouts. He said the program doesn’t take that backing for granted and expects a similar atmosphere on the Gulf Coast.
Golden addresses turnovers, eyes potential second‑round matchups
Florida enters the tournament looking to clean up issues exposed in its SEC Tournament upset loss to Vanderbilt. Golden pointed to turnovers as the biggest area needing attention before Friday night’s opener.
He also broke down potential second‑round opponents. Iowa, led by Bennett Stirtz, brings high‑level offense, while Clemson offers toughness and discipline, a team Golden said “won’t beat themselves”. Still, he emphasized that Florida won’t focus heavily on those matchups until after advancing.
gators begin title defense friday night
Florida’s path to a possible repeat begins with a short bus ride to Tampa, followed by potential trips to Houston for the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight, and Indianapolis for the Final Four. The Gators tip off Friday at 9:25 p.m. on TNT.
