Here's how the Florida Gators make the Tourney

GAINESVILLE -- Florida entered last week needing a win against either South Carolina or Xavier to help the Gators' chances of making the NCAA Tournament. UF lost both games. So, what does that mean? It means UF must finish strong to make the Field of 65.

Here's what recent history tells us: The Gators haven't finished a season strong since 2007, the last time UF played in the NCAA Tournament (and won it). In 2008, Florida went 3-7 during its final 10 games of the regular season and missed the NCAA Tournament. In 2009, UF went 4-6 to finish the regular season and, once again, missed the NCAA Tournament.

Florida is currently 2-2 down the home stretch. With six games remaining, Florida likely needs to finish the regular season 4-2 (or at least 3-3) to ensure itself a spot in the NCAA Tournament before traveling to Nashville, Tenn., for the SEC tournament (March 11-14). OK, here's a quick breakdown of the Gators' remaining six games:

Florida gets Auburn (at home on Thursday) and Ole Miss (in Oxford, Miss., on Saturday) this week. These are likely must-win games for the Gators. Sure, UF could theoretically lose to Auburn and Ole Miss and still make the NCAA Tournament, but it will be difficult.

Assuming UF defeats Auburn and Ole Miss (and that's assuming a lot), the next four games will determine UF's postseason future (NCAA or NIT). Florida hosts Tennessee on Tuesday, Feb. 23, before playing at rival Georgia (Saturday, Feb. 27), at home against Vanderbilt (Tuesday, March 2) and at Kentucky (Sunday, March 7).

Just my opinion, but if Florida can win its home games (Auburn, Tennessee and Vanderbilt), then the Gators will be in the NCAA Tournament. Here's how I see this thing playing out:

-Auburn at Florida, Thursday: The Gators begin their six-game blitz to make the NCAA Tournament with a victory.

-Florida at Ole Miss, Saturday: Loss. Recent history doesn't favor the Gators against teams from Mississippi late in the season.

-Tennessee at Florida, Tues., Feb. 23: Win! Gators get a much-needed boost with a victory against the Volunteers.

-Florida at Georgia, Sat., Feb.27: Win, again! There is still hope!

-Vanderbilt at Florida, Tues., March 2: Win, again! By luck of the SEC schedule, UF hosts a Vanderbilt team that is road weary. Vandy plays at Arky on Sat., Feb. 27.

-Florida at Kentucky: Loss.

OK, that puts the Gators at 6-4 over their final 10 games of the regular season with quality wins throughout the season against Michigan State, Florida State, at N.C. State, South Carolina, Mississippi State, Tennessee and Vanderbilt. That should be enough to warrant an at-large invitation to the NCAA Tournament.

-jo-

Comments

[Big Slap Shot Bob]

This team won't make it out of the 1st round of the big dance. Better to play for the NIT championship again and get the extra experience.

[Eric]

And you also thought Tebow deserved the Heisman and we saw how that turned out.

[JoeGoodyMiaHrld]

Eric,

At one point in the season, yes. At the end, no.

Bob,

There is no experience to be gained by going to the NIT other than the experience of once again being a loser.

-jo-

[drapp88]

The USC and Xavier games were huge. They could have won both but only beat themselves and lost them... I hope they make it back to the tourney but honestly I don't have much confidence in them beating both Vandy and Tennessee, even at home. My prediction is they will once again end the season in the NIT, and probably blow the chance of winning that for the 3rd straight year too. UNC, UCONN, VT, Arizona, and Louisville are surprising names on the bubble

[Gatorpike06]

We have to make it this year... It's killing our recruiting that we haven't made the dance in the last two years..ah so frustrating.. Only half of the kids playing con ganas!

[jonny weir]

THE gaTOR OFF-SEASON HAS OFFICIALLY BEGUN AND WE ALREADY HAVE 2 ARRESTS,
WHAT SHOULD THE OVER/UNDER BE 6?
THATS BEEN URBIN'S AVERAGE PER OFF-SEASON SINCE HE'S BEEN IN gayNIESVILLE.
WAY TO CHANGE THE TOPIC BADGIRL,
YOU KEPT A BLOG ON TEABAGS MEASUREMENTS (just alittle bit gay) UP FOR A WEEK. ANOTHER gaTOR GETTING ARRESTED DOESN'T EVEN GET 24 HOURS.
JUST LIKE FOX(FAKE) NEWS STAY ON MESSAGE FOR THE TROLLS.

[JoeGoodyMiaHrld]

If only I could be as cool as this guy. Wow.

-jo-

[the fonz]

Stop aspiring to be cool like me and try aspiring to be a reporter, instead of just being a cheerleader.

[Suck my nuts]

THE GAYTURDS suck salty, smelly, sweaty balls. They will be lucky to win 5 games this yr.

Welcome back to being the bottom feeders of the sec.

hahahahaha!!!!!!

[Pauly the closet tough guy]

Posted by: jonny weir | February 16, 2010 at 03:33 PM

WTF are you talking about jonny weiner? At least the Suck my nuts guy communicated a message effectively!

[Ted N.]

No sweat Jonny, Pauly missed the Misery reference from which he ripped off his post name. He's a cane, intellect is not his strength.

[The Rim]

Free Throw Clank !

[greg]

Here's how the Gators make the NCAA tourney

1) The HEAT trade Beasley for John Wall and Patterson leaving them unavailable for the UF-Kentucky game
2) Dan Werner slips on his boyfriend's condom and Billy is forced not to play him the rest of the season
3) they buy tickets and attend the tourney like every other fan...

[chris matthews]

Just like the teabaggers, the birthers, and most right wing lunatics. They don't and can't see reality, and the reality is that 30some arrests is a major problem and needs to be addressed.
But instead, lets blog about how long teabags arms are (FOR A WEEK). Now thats real gripping news for the dittoheads.

[Randy Shannigans]

"We may sign Ken Dorsey to coach and when INT12 gets hurt we can put him in a Highsmith jersey and throw him in."
"Whipple, who called the timeout? "
"Uncle Luke, who gets the cash today?"
"About my contract extension?"
"We recruit what we need."
"You'll never know how much this helps us."
"Warren said what about me on the ticket?"
"He Bennie its Randy, STFU"

[The []__[] SUKKKKKKKKS]

Less than a year remaining of Randy. Celebrate.

[HogtownGator]

These canes fans are so JEALOUS. They are talking about football on a bball blog. HEY LOSERS...get over it, we are better than you. No matter how much hate you throw out there that fact is not going to change.

[pigvilleGAtor]

is there not 1 GAtor who can respond intelligently to the 30 arrests and the renegade program you all have now.
Its like a bunch of kids out there, nah nah nah nah we're better then you are, and we don't care if we got thugs, there are thugs, and we're winning, which is all that matters..
Just address the issues GAtors..

[Sarasota 'cane]

Funny. Asking for an intelligent answer from someone named pigville GAtors.

Go Randy!

[So Cal Gator]

I can respond to the 30 arrests - no one really cares that much, especially football fans. We don't care about their grades, whether they graduate, heck, I don't think most fans care whether their athletes even show up for class. The bottom line is that we most of the top athletes come from the inner city, and since UF gets most of the top athletes, the odds of some of their players getting into trouble increases. Many of the crimes, there is absolutely nothing a coach can do about it. Meyer and his assistants can't be at all the parties, ride in all the cars, etc. They can try to instill discipline, but like at all schools, it doesn't always work.

Here is the real bottom line - Canes fans aren't upset at the crimes being committed by UF players, they are upset because the players aren't being kicked off the football team. If UF could only find its version of Luther Campbell, then perhaps money problems won't be so rampant for some of the players....

[Annie Wilkes is a Bull Gator]

No sweat Jonny, Pauly missed the Misery reference from which he ripped off his post name. He's a cane, intellect is not his strength.

Posted by: Ted N. | February 16, 2010 at 08:33 PM

Thats right Teddy NoSac, because as everyone knows, in order to have any intellect you must be a fan of Stephen King.