The Athletic is providing live coverage of the Men’s March Madness tournament in 2025, with the Florida men’s basketball team coming off a SEC tournament championship and a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Head coach Todd Golden led the team to their first league tournament win in over a decade, despite facing off-court challenges including a Title IX investigation into allegations against the coach and an assistant coach.
The investigation, which was sparked by anonymous reports of sexual harassment, sexual exploitation, and stalking, lasted for four months before clearing Golden of any violations. The assistant coach’s case remains open. Throughout the season, the team maintained focus on basketball, with players stating they did not let the off-court distractions affect their performance.
As Florida heads into the NCAA Tournament as favorites, Golden and his team are focused on handling the success and attention that comes with it. Despite the challenges faced off the court, the team has demonstrated resilience and unity, with a deep, balanced unit capable of making a run at a national title. Golden expressed gratitude for the support from fans and the university during the difficult period.
With a top 10 offense and defense and a strong overall ranking, the Gators have the potential to make a deep tournament run and possibly secure the program’s third men’s basketball national title. The team is preparing for their first game against Norfolk State with a confident and determined mindset, eager to showcase their skills on the national stage.
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