Florida Receives New AP Top 25 Ranking After Upset Win Over No. 1 Auburn
The Florida Gators shocked No. 1 Auburn on Saturday, handing the Tigers their second loss of the season by a score of 90-81.
The AP Top 25 poll was updated after this weekend’s games, and the Gators received a new ranking. Florida moved from No. 6 to No. 3, while Auburn remained at No. 1 despite the loss.
Florida was a 10.5-point underdog on ESPN BET.
Florida is now 20-3 overall and 7-3 in conference play. Florida’s only losses thus far have been to No. 10 Kentucky, Missouri and No. 8 Tennessee.
Florida head coach Todd Golden is off to a great start in his third season with the Gators.
Four of Florida’s five starters finished with 10 points or more in scoring. The Gators’ leading scorer was guard Walter Clayton Jr., with 19 points. Clayton has been the leading scorer for Florida this season, averaging 17.5 points, 3.5 rebounds and four assists.
Florida got plenty of help off the bench, too, with forward Alex Haugh recording 16 points, nine rebounds and six assists.
Golden joined Florida in the 2022-2023 season after previously spending three seasons as the head coach of San Francisco. In three seasons with Florida, Golden has taken the program to the NCAA Tournament once in the 2023-2024 season.
Last season under Golden, Florida reached the first round but lost to Colorado 102-100.
Florida bolstered its roster this offseason through the portal, adding center Reuben Chinyelu (Washington State), combo guard Alijah Martin (FAU), and power forward Sam Alexis (Chattanooga).
The Gators were not without losses, with shooting guard Riley Kugel, shooting guard Julian Rishwain and power forward Aleks Szymczyk leaving via the portal.
Florida’s next contest is against No. 22 Mississippi State on Tuesday. Tipoff is at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN2.
