With a win the Gators would face the winner between No. 8 seed UConn, the two-time defending national champion, and No. 9 seed Oklahoma (20-13) — 85-63 losers Feb. 18 in Gainesville. UConn (23-10) defeated UF 75-54 in December 2022 during Golden’s first season and en route to the Huskies’ national title, one of six by the school since 1999.

Florida is the No. 1 team in the West Region in its bid to erase last year's early NCAA Tournament exit. The Gators (30-4) will open against No. 16 Norfolk State in Raleigh, North Carolina, with a potential matchup against two-time reigning national champion UConn in the second round.

Florida guard Denzel Aberdeen (11) works against Tennessee guard Zakai Zeigler (5) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the final round of the Southeastern Conference tournament, Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)