No it’s not too early to start thinking about March Madness. It’ll be here before you know it. One huge component of building a resume is the non conference schedule. Florida is nearing the finish line on that part.

The Gators travel to Miami for their annual trip to the Orange Bowl Classic this Saturday. With only one loss in non conference play, the Gators look to be in good shape to make the NCAA Tournament this year. This would be the Gators first trip since winning their second straight National Title in 2007. At that time UF has been 10 straight years.

With only NC State and Xavier left along with a few small time programs on the non conference schedule, and wins over Florida State and Michigan State , a 9-7 SEC record would be good enough to get the Gators in this year. Last year, it wasn’t. The Gators lost to FSU last year and had only close wins against NC State and Washington in non conference play. Both years the Gators lost to Syracuse .

If UF can beat the four cupcakes they have coming up, they will go into SEC play with no more than 2 losses. A win over NC State again this year and they will be 13-1. That should be enough should the Gators win 9 conference games this year. Last year’s resume lacked the signature win. This year’s already has Michigan State while ranked #2. Also FSU looks to be a contender in the ACC. UF has 6 non conference games left. Win 5 of those and 9 SEC games, that gives them a record of 22-9 going into the SEC Tournament. A 10 win SEC season and the Gators are a mortal lock.

There are also some opportunities within the SEC to pick up big wins that were not there last year. A win over Kentucky this year looks huge. Last year it was no big deal. Tennessee is another one. Win one or two of those games and 8-8 would get UF in.

By: James Folsom