Looking at the Predictions...

[GatorPlanet]

Looking at the predictions of media types from major outlets (espn, si, etc.), I haven't seen one that doesn't have the Gators in the Final Four.

[NoahBeanBizzel]

Looking at the predictions of media types from major outlets (espn, si, etc.), I haven't seen one that doesn't have the Gators in the Final Four.

I think it was Bilas who said that nobody should pay attention to the fact that Florida is ranked #10. He felt Michigan and another team (maybe Indiana?) were the two best in the country, then he went on to say that Florida is in "that next group of three or four elite teams" after he mentioned those two.

He was extremely impressed with us. I don't watch a lot of college basketball (outside of Florida), but know enough about it to know that this Florida team is better than the two Elite eight squads that blew double-digit leads and squandered opportunities to go to the Final four over the last couple of years.

The loss at Arizona is nothing to be ashamed of, and it's coming out that Kansas State is a very good basketball team. K State plays great man-to-man D, and that's one of the few ways to beat this Gator basketball team.

[GatorRade]

Here's two: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/college-basketball/news/20130111/midseason-crystal-ball-college-basketball/

Strangely, the only SI writer to pick us for the final four, Luke Winn, also fails to list us in his top 16 power rankings: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/college-basketball/news/20130116/college-basketball-power-rankings/

[GatorPlanet]

GatorRade, that Final Four forecast was done on 1/11, before we blasted A&M and Mizzou.

[gatordavisl]

Pretty sure Bilas was referring to Michigan and L'ville.

[BengermanV]

It's hilarious how much publicity ESPN gives us for our basketball program but almost always hates on our football program. The difference? One has had Billy Donovan as its coach, and the other has had: Steve Spurrier, Will Muschamp, and Urban Meyer. All three of which aren't exactly kind to the media (with Champ being a possible exception).

[CAGator93]

Still a little worried about how we've handled the press.

But yeah - other than that, this team has been a lot of fun to watch - they really play as a team.

I hope the taste of the last 2 Elite Eight games makes us realize that there's never a point where we can let our guard down and not play our best.

[NoahBeanBizzel]

I hate to say this, but I think how far we go in the tourney will ultimately depend on how Wilbekin continues to evolve at the point. He's a lot more comfortable with the ball in his hands, now I'm just hoping that he can really start to develop into a guy who can not only penetrate, but create with the ball in his hands. He's definitely improved, but he has the ability to become even better.

Also, they say the key to making a deep run in the tourney has a lot to do with a team's play at guard. These guys are all top-notch defenders (Rosario is when he wants to be), and Wilbekin and Rosario have really started to come alive offensively. When Boynton isn't ice cold, they absolutely light it up from outside-particularly if Frazier gets hot.

I'm really excited to watch the continuing development of Wilbekin.