Social Slant: Reactions to Florida's rout of No. 1 Tennessee
In 19 previous games against No. 1 teams, the Florida Gators had won just twice. But Tuesday night against the top-ranked and unbeaten Tennessee Volunteers, UF made it look easy with a 73-43 victory. Florida, now 14-1, is off to its best start in two decades. The Gators hadn’t knocked off a No. 1 since 2007, when they topped Ohio State in the national championship game. Here are some reactions from social media following the beatdown of the Vols.
WHAT. A. NIGHT.
— Florida Gators Men’s Basketball (@GatorsMBK) January 8, 2025
IT'S GREAT TO BE A FLORIDA GATOR #GoGators | Presented by @WellsFargo pic.twitter.com/NlptwHFFXV
This Florida gators basketball team is no joke
— Greyson Sciaraffa ☝️ (@GreysonSciaraf2) January 8, 2025
Who remembers them OG gators with Al Horford, Noah, etc. These boys remind me of them ogs
— HeadyTokin 💨 (@Headytokin) January 8, 2025
Florida gave up 106 the other day and Golden got these Gators to get after it on defense a few days later. 25 points allowed in 27 minutes plus getting every 50/50 ball. Florida is rolling 49-25. @ActionSportsJax
— Brent Martineau (@BrentASJax) January 8, 2025
Todd Golden you have moved me.
— jose? (@tomdawg14) January 8, 2025
We’re getting manhandled.
— The Poe Poe (@justavolgirl) January 8, 2025
That’s all I got.
Oh yeah, in case yall forgot, I hate Todd Golden. #gbo
Alijah Martin spent much of that timeout firing up the Florida bench, urging them to finish and be relentless.
— Neil W. Blackmon (@nwblackmon) January 8, 2025
He’s raised the level of competitiveness on Florida’s roster. Consummate winner. pic.twitter.com/T6EgVBlCmn
Love Alijah Martin grabbing Coach Golden by the arm to tell him to chill, then looking at the whole coaching staff and saying “Calm down!” That’s leadership
— Jamie Salas (@CoachJSalas) January 8, 2025
You’ve gotta love the fight that Florida is showing tonight. They want it more. Been a while since we’ve seen a #Gators team like that.
— Jake Winderman (@jakewinderman) January 8, 2025
Alijah Martin is an absolute dawg out there and sets the standard for everybody else.
Alex Condon is the most improved player in College Basketball this season
— JR (@JJR_2525) January 8, 2025
Love watching Denzel Aberdeen
— Matthew (@ThisIsMatthew97) January 8, 2025
Alex Condon snatching Milicic’s chain. You love to see it
— Double O P (@onlyonepodcastt) January 8, 2025
I wish we could throw elbows and not get called for it like alex condon
— VOLcano_72🍊 (@VOLcano_1794) January 8, 2025
Todd Golden's team is so damn fun.
— James Madden (@Jmadden1632) January 8, 2025
Denzel Aberdeen continues to be so impressive. He’s been steadily developing since his freshman year.
— Brandon Olsen (@WNS_Brandon) January 8, 2025
Always been a great defender, offensive game is really coming together a bit more now.
Doing a lot of ball-handling right now with Walter Clayton Jr. in foul trouble and the…
Denzel Aberdeen 6th man of the year 🐊
— FLSportsTakes (@FLSportsTakes_) January 8, 2025
Alex Condon got that dawg in him.
— Greazy ☘️🥂 (@RelfromtheQ6) January 8, 2025
Alex Condon… pic.twitter.com/qahWTSX5WL
— Miles (@Hoops_Haven1) January 8, 2025
I thought Florida would beat Tennessee tonight.
— Owen (@Alakazam_428) January 8, 2025
I did not think they would be up 30 POINTS in this game.
My goodness. Gators are just that good of a team.
Go Gators 🐊@NBAonTNT pic.twitter.com/YKTq6JqoZy
— Dolla (@swampsking) January 8, 2025
This is honestly the worst performance under Rick Barnes
— BaseVols (@OmaVols) January 8, 2025
Travel to Texas on Saturday
How does a team shoot less than 15% from the field? I’m genuinely confused
Belt to ass
— Boobie (@Ma1J) January 8, 2025
Go Gators
GO GATORS pic.twitter.com/Qg1U16ECFb
— Vlad (@slightwork352) January 8, 2025
Chuck gonna be scared of gators from here on out 😂🤣 @NBAonTNT pic.twitter.com/yvYaRWztem
— Himographic (@Himographic) January 8, 2025
So, I’m no basketball expert, but Tennessee isn’t looking like the best team in the country right now. Go Gators! 🧡💙🐊🏀 pic.twitter.com/irdhqMH895
— Anne (@Anne4Gators) January 8, 2025
Is Florida playing the greatest defense ever seen? Or is Tennessee having the worst shooting performance Rick Barnes has ever been associated with? (I’m thinking the latter, but the #Gators will take it)
— Benjamin Bornstein (@THE_BOOMSTEIN) January 8, 2025
Florida’s defense is somewhere between as bad as it was on Saturday and as good as it is tonight. But you’ve got to love the effort, and the Vols are beating *no one* off the bounce. Gators are quicker, stronger, and more physical.
— Eli Marger (@Eli_Marger) January 8, 2025
Winning hoops. This is fun.
Going from the best start to a season in the modern era to one of the worst performances of Rick Barnes’ entire time at Tennessee is…. Something.
— Charlie Burris (@Charlie_Burris) January 8, 2025
Rick Barnes preparing for film study tomorrow pic.twitter.com/3V7CuxkjSF
— Mark Nagi (@MarkNagi) January 8, 2025
