The Next Four

[themistocles]

Assuming, perhaps falsely, that Ky will not be very tough without Noel, the next 4 games appear likely to determine the season.

UF always seems to have the toughest end-of-schedule path in the SEC, and this year is certainly no different.

At Missou
Arkansas - the only SEC team to beat the Gators so far
at Tennesee - who always play UF tough and appear to be coming around, and
Alabama - the second place team and only one within 3 games of the Gators

followed, of course by
Vanderbilt, and
at Kentucky (usually the toughest one)

Every game, is, of course, important, but performance in these next four games are likely to be a big seeding factor, and will almost surely determine whether the Gators win this year's regular season SEC title.

[UFreak]

Man, that Tuesday one is a big one. First of all, I think the chances of us losing more than 2 with the remaining sec regular season schedule is remote. We are just too much better than the remaining field to let that happen.
A split with at Mizzou and at uTenn is possible.
I just want to win that game Tuesday. I will feel really good about the rest of the schedule if we get out of Columbia with a W.

[RD_gator]

For this FLorida team's confidence going in to the NCAAs, I would like to see them handle all of these teams - I could see this team possibly losing to Missouri & Tennessee or even having an unexpected set-back to Arkansas at home .

The significant resume issue for this team is to get a key road win; the Missouri game will be a huge opportunity before the SEC tourney begins. All of FLorida's big wins have come at home (i.e, Wisconsin, Marquette) or at a neutral site in the state (i.e, Middle Tenn St). So, the Gators could use another good road win for seeding purposes!

[SmootyGator]

A lot of people on here want us to have a few close games before tournament time. The rest of our schedule should provide just that. If I could take one single loss for the remainder of the season right now, I would.

[ApexNC]

I'm not as worried about the home games. The road games are another story. Mizzou and Tenn are tough outs at home. UK is UK and it will be sophomore day at Rupp, so it won't be an walk in the park either. I'd LOVE to see us take 5 of these last 6 games. Tomorrow night might be the key game in the stretch.

[ofmgator]

UT was terrific against Ky wthout Noel...we beat them with Noel.

[gogators73]

Yea none of the home games will put a scare in us. But playing at Mizzou, Tennessee, and Kentucky will.

[g8rboy]

if we get past missouri, i think we run the table

[ovillegator]

It may be tough, but what a great preparation for the relentless non-stop challenges of the NCAA tourney.

[SmootyGator]

if we get past missouri, i think we run the table

It should be our toughest game, you would think. I'm sure that they have revenge on their mind. The games at UK & UT don't appear to be as hard on paper, but we always have trouble there. If we can lose to Arkansas on the road, we certainly can lose to the Cats or the Vols on the road too. This assuming of course that the Cats aren't still in destruction mode after losing Noel.

[orlandogator]

4 is the magic number, our combined wins with their loses of course, so Alabama would be a key win dealing them a double win/loss. Same with Kentucky although I think they will go .500 the rest of the way but yes, if we sweep these 4 were done.

[oneatatime]

Bama is only 2 games behind the Gators at 8-3

[iam4uf]

It feels like we need to win all four:
at Missouri - must win road game to "prove" UF can win a big road game
Arkansas - need to win this as well to avenge the road loss & "erase" it for seeding
at Tennessee - can't lose to another middle of the road SEC team on the road
Alabama - it's at home, UF needs to defend its turf & make teams fear the O'Dome

[co_gator89]

4 is the magic number, our combined wins with their loses of course, so Alabama would be a key win dealing them a double win/loss. Same with Kentucky although I think they will go .500 the rest of the way but yes, if we sweep these 4 were done.

4 gets us at least a share which could hypothetically happen this week, but MSU is so bad I don't see Bama losing to them. 5 is the real magic number. I have no interest in sharing that title with anyone. Not in this conference. Not this year where we clearly have the best team in a bad, bad year for the SEC.

[fairfaxgator]

I'm not as worried about the home games. The road games are another story. Mizzou and Tenn are tough outs at home. UK is UK and it will be sophomore day at Rupp, so it won't be an walk in the park either. I'd LOVE to see us take 5 of these last 6 games. Tomorrow night might be the key game in the stretch.

"sophomore day"

HILARIOUS!

Rep to YOU!:yes:

[oneatatime]

oneatatime

[TampaGatorFan]

It feels like we need to win all four:
at Missouri - must win road game to "prove" UF can win a big road game
Arkansas - need to win this as well to avenge the road loss & "erase" it for seeding
at Tennessee - can't lose to another middle of the road SEC team on the road
Alabama - it's at home, UF needs to defend its turf & make teams fear the O'Dome

We'll win all four.

@ Missouri - hard fought first half, Gators pull away late, win by 14
Arkansas - payback time...Gators blow them out by 20+ at home
@ Tennessee - This one will be a grinder, but the Gators win by 10
Alabama - blowout win for the Gators, the game will basically be over by halftime

[GatorJeff]

Assuming, perhaps falsely, that Ky will not be very tough without Noel, the next 4 games appear likely to determine the season.

UF always seems to have the toughest end-of-schedule path in the SEC, and this year is certainly no different.

At Missou
Arkansas - the only SEC team to beat the Gators so far
at Tennesee - who always play UF tough and appear to be coming around, and
Alabama - the second place team and only one within 3 games of the Gators

followed, of course by
Vanderbilt, and
at Kentucky (usually the toughest one)

Every game, is, of course, important, but performance in these next four games are likely to be a big seeding factor, and will almost surely determine whether the Gators win this year's regular season SEC title.

The biggest game by far is Alabama, as that game represents a two game swing in the standings with our nearest competition. Win that one and we're guaranteed at least a share of the title even if we lose all three remaining conference road games.

[SmootyGator]

The biggest game by far is Alabama, as that game represents a two game swing in the standings with our nearest competition. Win that one and we're guaranteed at least a share of the title even if we lose all three remaining conference road games.

Exactly. If we beat Bama, we'll pretty much be SEC champs.

[GothamGator]

We haven't proven anything this year until we can beat a good team on the road. Tonight my be our last chance.

[g8rboy]

We haven't proven anything this year until we can beat a good team on the road. Tonight my be our last chance.

yes, sir. big big game. we really need to just play well in this game.

[ThePlayer]

@Tennesse will be the biggest test IMO...but we'll see.

[born2beagator]

@Tennesse will be the biggest test IMO...but we'll see.

Meh. IMO tonight is the biggest test. UT is not on our level talent wise. if we stay within ourselves and play our game there, we should win by 20. Mizzou however will be tough as nails tonight, and I full expect a loss if we don't bring our A game

[tommyuf21]

Meh. IMO tonight is the biggest test. UT is not on our level talent wise. if we stay within ourselves and play our game there, we should win by 20. Mizzou however will be tough as nails tonight, and I full expect a loss if we don't bring our A game

UT is not the same team as they were last year, when they handled us with ease. Losing Maymon was a big blow to them and Patric is much improved this year. If I remember correctly, those Maymon and Stokes frustrated the hell out of him and he played poorly. We also have more outside shooting this year. Last year, we were really dependent on Walker and Boynton and if they were cold, we were in trouble.

I'd be suprised if we lost there, but 20 might be pushing it, unless Golden has a terrible game and turns it over 7 or 8 times, which I admit is possible.

I expect Missouri to play very well tonight, there will be 15K plus and it will be the toughest road environment for us this season. I know Rupp has more, but depending on where UK is at performance wise, that crowd may be dispirited. That will not be the case tonight.

[ThePlayer]

Meh. IMO tonight is the biggest test. UT is not on our level talent wise. if we stay within ourselves and play our game there, we should win by 20. Mizzou however will be tough as nails tonight, and I full expect a loss if we don't bring our A game

So...this IS our toughest remaining season test?

[tommyuf21]

So...this IS our toughest remaining season test?

Without a doubt.

UK may have been until the loss of Noel.

The other games are either at home or against teams that have significant weaknesses.

[tampajack1]

I expected Missouri to be a national title contender this season. They have 5 players who all look like they have NBA-type talent. They haven't played up to their talent level. This will be a tough, tough game tonight.

[ReggieNelson]

slowing down keion bell will be a huge challenge