Is Florida the SEC's best team?

Looking at the Gators' chances to win the league, and their top challengers

Updated: November 29, 2012, 3:15 PM ET
By Miles Simon | ESPN Insider

The Florida Gators are in an interesting position right now. They are the highest-ranked team in the SEC, yet still tend to be overshadowed by conference rivals the Kentucky Wildcats and (to a lesser extent) the Missouri Tigers.

I tend to side with the voters, as I think the Gators are playing the best basketball at the moment among all SEC teams. They are 5-0, including a 74-56 blowout of a tough and defensive-minded Wisconsin team (their aircraft carrier matchup with Georgetown was canceled at halftime).

This theory of mine is about to be put to the test, however, with the Gators' next three games coming against Marquette (Thursday night), at Florida State and at Arizona. What do I like about the Gators' chances to finish the season as the SEC's top team, and which teams will be their toughest challengers for the league title? Let's take a look.


To read the rest of Miles Simon's take on Florida and the top SEC contenders, become an Insider today.

Miles Simon

  • ESPN college basketball analyst
  • Played for Arizona Wildcats from 1994-98
  • Won Most Outstanding Player award in 1997 NCAA tournament when Arizona won national championship

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