As Told by A.S.

Author: Andrew Schlegel

In the '05-'06 season, the Florida Gators basketball team began its season with a 17-0 record. Although they did not play any teams with a top-25 ranking, they reached as high as number one in the Associated Press and USA Today polls.

The Gators, however, were not able to maintain their dominance, suffering six losses in the SouthEastern Conference (SEC) while ending the regular season.

When the postseason began, the Gators appeared to be a new team. First, they won the SEC tournament. Then, they breezed through the NCAA tournament, blowing out every team they faced except the Georgetown Hoyas who played them close in the Sweet 16.

Even though the Gators had a lull in their play last season, they managed to capture a national championship with a young team. Additionally, sophomore Joakim Noah was named most valuable player for the NCAA tournament.

When this season began, the Gators returned all their starters and added a couple new freshmen recruits. The most surprising returning player was Noah who turned down the NBA draft where he would have likely been the number one pick.

With nearly the same team returning, the Gators are expected to repeat and capture a second national championship. However, in a tournament that does not allow for a team to have a bad game, it is a lot of weight on the shoulders of the Gators.

So far, the Gators have proven that they are the best team in the country and if their current level of play is any indicator of how they will perform in the NCAA tournament in March, they seem likely to repeat.

The Gators are currently 23-2 overall and 10-0 in the SEC, having won the last 15 games. Their only losses were to Florida State and a very talented, but streaky, Kansas Jayhawks team. But both losses were early in the season.

There are not many teams that seem to be able to contend with the Gators, but the ones that come to mind are the UCLA, Ohio State, Wisconsin and UNC.

With UCLA losing on Saturday to a non-ranked West Virginia team, the Bruins are dropping from the group of contenders. Also, with the Gators beating up on the OSU by a score of 82-60, the Buckeyes appear to be dropping from the group too.

Still, the Gators have a tough rest of the regular season ahead of them, having to play a strong Alabama squad and a rematch scheduled with the Kentucky Wildcats, the final day of the regular season. The Gators, however, have the team to capture a second national championship and become the first team since Duke in '91 and '92 to win back-to-back national championships, even though the road may be hard to travel.

ome the first team since Duke in '91 and '92 to win back-to-back national championships, even though the road may be tough to travel.