NASHVILLE, TN (352today.com) – UPDATE 3/17/2024: The sixth-seeded Gators rallied against the seventh-seeded Texas A&M to earn a 95-90 victory in the Southeastern Conference Tournament (SEC) semifinals at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on Saturday.

In just the second season under University of Florida head coach Todd Golden, the men’s basketball squad has landed in its first SEC Tournament championship in a decade.

Florida will face 12th-ranked Auburn on Sunday, March 17, at 1 p.m. ET.

The Gators official website says, “The title-game showdown will pit Golden against one of his mentors, Auburn coach Bruce Pearl, who gave Golden his first high-major assistant coach position in 2016.”

Florida guard Denzel Aberdeen reacts as he leaves the court after the Gators defeated Texas A&M in the game at the SEC tourney on Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Nashville. Courtesy: AP Photo/John Bazemore

UPDATE 3/16/2024: Florida secured a huge win over the Alabama Crimson Tide securing them a ticket to the semifinals Saturday.

The Gators beat Alabama 102-88 Friday night and will now face Texas A&M around 3:30 eastern Saturday afternoon.

Texas A&M defeated Kentucky 97-87 to advance themselves to the semifinals.

At 1:00 p.m. Saturday, Auburn will also take on Mississippi State after their win over South Carolina Friday. Mississippi State got themselves a win over Tennesse to earn their spot in the semifinals.

The winners of the two games will face each other in the SEC championship Sunday.

UPDATE 3/15/2024: The Gators secured a win over Georgia in the second round of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) tournament advancing themselves to the quarterfinals Friday.

Florida defeated the Bulldogs 85-80 Thursday night, shooting nearly 44% to get them the victory.

Key players from the game were Walter Clayton Jr. putting up 22 points, and Tyrese Samuel and Will Richard contributing 17 points each.

Florida will now take on No.3 Alabama Friday night immediately after Kentucky and Texas A&M’s game at 7:00 p.m. ET. Friday’s schedule also consists of Mississippi State facing Tennessee at 1:00 p.m. ET, and South Carolina vs. Auburn at 3:30 p.m. ET.

You can catch the Gators’ game on the SEC Network.

Florida forward Tyrese Samuel (4) knocks the ball away from Georgia guard Blue Cain (0). Courtesy: AP Photo/John Bazemore
Florida center Micah Handlogten (3) reacts on the bench after a Gator’s basket late in the second half of the NCAA college basketball game against Georgia. Courtesy: AP Photo/John Bazemore
Florida guard Will Richard (5) loses control of the ball as he tries to go between Georgia’s Blue Cain (0) and Russel Tchewa (54). Courtesy: AP Photo/John Bazemore

ORIGINAL 3/14/2024: The Florida men’s basketball team is in Nashville looking to bring home a Southeastern Conference (SEC) title by the end of the week.

The SEC tournament kicked off Wednesday night.

In the first round, Arkansas got a win over Vanderbilt with a 90-85 victory. After that game, Georgia secured a win over Missouri 64-59.

The Gators hold the sixth seed in the tournament and will face Georgia on Thursday night after game 5 between Ole Miss and Texas A&M. The Gators should tipoff around 9:30 p.m.

Thursday’s Schedule

  • Game 3 – No. 9 Mississippi State vs. No. 8 LSU at 1:00 p.m. ET
  • Game 4 – Arkansas vs. South Carolina after Game 3
  • Game 5 – No. 10 Ole Miss vs. No. 7 Texas A&M at 7:00 p.m. ET
  • Game 6 – Georgia vs. Florida after Game 5

If Florida can lock down a win in Game 6, they will then face Alabama in the quarterfinals on Friday.

Here’s a look at the full bracket and schedule:

2024 SEC Tournament Schedule. Courtesy: SEC

Florida head coach Todd Golden says for his team the tournament comes down to fundamentals.

“The biggest thing this week is going back and focusing on the things that don’t require talent, and to us that’s the rebounding and the ball handling,” said Golden in a news conference Tuesday.

The Gators came up short by just one point against Vanderbilt in Saturday’s game losing to the Commodores 78-79. Golden says that game was a good wakeup call headed into the tournament.

“There’s a clear understanding of what we’re playing for. We’re trying to win a championship,” stated Golden.

Fifth-year guard Zyon Pullin added that SEC play has shown them what they are capable of but has also shown them what happens in the games if they don’t “show up.”

“We’re super confident, we know what this team can do. We’ve shown it. There’s no doubt in our minds what we can do in this tournament” said Pullin Tuesday.

Pullin is looking at the bigger picture and says the goal is to win it all nationally. He says to do so they have to take things game by game.

For them, taking care of business against the Bulldogs comes first. Florida’s won both their matchups against Georgia this season and will be looking to finish it off Thursday night and advance to the quarterfinals.

You can watch the game on the SEC Network.