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What Florida's Todd Golden said about facing Tennessee for SEC title, No. 1 seed in NCAA Tournament

IMG_3593by:Grant Ramey•about 9 hours•

GrantRamey

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Florida coach Todd Golden. (Photo by Maddie Washburn/@GatorsMBK)

NASHVILLE — Florida set an SEC Tournament record for points scored in its 104-82 win over Alabama in the semifinals on Saturday afternoon, improving to 11-1 over its last 12 games, dating back to its 64-44 loss at Tennessee on February 1.

Now the Gators (29-4) advance to the SEC Tournament championship game to face the Vols (27-6) on Sunday (1 p.m. Eastern Time, TV: ESPN), seemingly having locked up the final No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.

Florida beat Tennessee 73-43 in Gainesville on January 7, handing the Vols their first loss the season and ending their five-week run as the No. 1 team in the country. Tennessee is 10-2 over it last 12 games, dating back to the win over Florida in Knoxville, and is currently projected as the top No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament. 

Here’s what Florida coach Todd Golden said Saturday about the rubber match with Tennessee:

The importance of dictating tempo Sunday against Tennessee

“It’s going to be interesting because both games were anomalies, for lack of a better term. We played fantastic and won by 30 against them at home. We go there, they beat us way worse than anybody else has been able to all year. Losing Walt (Walter Clayton Jr.) before halftime there definitely hurt us. We were down at three at halftime. We played poorly in the second half. They dictated with their physicality and defense.

“I think tomorrow will be a battle of wills a little bit. We’re going to get out in transition, open up the game a little bit. We know Tennessee likes to operate in the halfcourt, be physical defensively. Whoever is able to dictate the terms and the tempo I think has the best chance to win tomorrow.”

Playing Tennessee on Sunday with the possibility of securing a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament

“I think we are. I think we secured a 1 seed today. That’s my opinion. We’re second on KenPom right now. Beat Alabama twice, beat Auburn at Auburn. I don’t really think it’s a debate regardless of the result tomorrow.

“With that being said, another opportunity for us to get a really good win. Another big challenge. A team that I would argue is one of the most physical and just tough-minded winning programs in America.

“Tennessee, obviously Rick Barnes is an amazing Hall of Fame coach. They got the best of us last time we played. Our guys will be excited. We’ll be ready to go. More than anything, it’s just a great opportunity for us to get a championship.”

If Florida deserves a higher No. 1 seed than the last one

“Absolutely. Absolutely. Regardless of the result tomorrow, I would say yes. We have four losses — 29-4 right now. We’ve won I think 11 out of our last 12 or 10 out of our last 11, something along those lines. I think we have the best collection of high-level wins in college basketball across the board. There’s other good teams and candidates. When you look at the full body of work … our conference schedule is different. We had to play some really good teams on the road, and we didn’t get them at home. We were still able to get second. With all those things together, I would say we’re definitely a 1-seed and have the chance to be the second or third 1-seed right now.”

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