You can hear it now from the mass media: “Remember, this team does have a title to defend. They ARE the defending champions, and until someone takes that from them, they should be treated as such.” Yada. Yada. Yada. Yes, it’s true that almost all of us out there in the Blogosphere and in Legitimate Writer World completely dismissed the notion of a relevant Florida Gators team in 2007-08, but here they are, making Joakim Noah just want to dance and dance some more. They’re 18-3 right now, but here’s some more you should know and their chances of going to San Antonio.

Sure, this is a young team that might lack the kind of experience (and, yes, that matters come Tournament time) to really dig deep into the brackets, but it’s a possibility worth exploring.

See, this is what makes college basketball a lot of fun.

So, are you wondering if their record is legitimate? What, Billy Donovan was going to come back after bailing on the Orlando Magic to play a bunch of tough games in November and December. Eh, not exactly. Florida non-con SOS (yes, according to kenpom.com) is a feeble 297th. Though, it is worth noting that, in spite of that big number, their RPI is currently at 42. You could also argue that since the growing Gators are 15-0 against RPI teams of 100 or lower, they are beating the teams they are “supposed to beat.”

So could Billy Donovan really surprise us all and take this team to another Final Four? I think it’s possible, but it always depends on those matchups that the selection committee gives you. I think if Florida saw a bracket break down like this then it would be possible:

(Let’s assume that Florida has a few bad losses and ends up with a 5-seed)

First round: Texas Tech

Second round: Marquette (4-seed)

Sweet 16: Washington State (2-seed)

Elite 8: Duke (1-seed)

Of course, non-chalk outcomes could also help the cause, but let’s assume the worst. The road above is the kind that could lend in San Antonio. Of course, those exact matchups will not happen (and if they do, I want some compensation, or at least a seat at next year’s selection committee table) but you get the picture. Getting to the Final Four is all about who you match up with. If you give Florida a team that really doesn’t belong in the Tournament in the first round, an overrated, over-their-skiis team in round two, a slower team that relies on good shooting in the Sweet 16 and a team without a strong inside presence and a propensity to miss a lot of shots in the Elite 8, then yeah, Florida could shock us all this year.

Only 17-2 Tennessee has a better overall record in the Southeastern Conference and—hello—Mississippi State (5-0) has a better in conference record. The Gators currently sit with a 5-1 conference record and get their litmus test in the upcoming week with games at dangerous Arkansas (Saturday) and Tennessee (next Tuesday). That’s really why I’ve brought this notion to the forefront: Florida beating Tennessee next Tuesday would cause a lot of national noise and you’d hear shows like “Around the Horn” talking about how good this team really is. I have to beat them to the punch.

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