ESPN's resident bracketologist 'bullish' on this darkhorse team for 2016-17 ·

02 Jan 2025, 00:00

The Florida Gators were a little disappointing last year with the team they had as most people thought there was a ton of talent and certainly enough to dancing in March. However, the majority of that talent returns with the only exception being Dorian Finney-Smith who graduated and was signed by the Dallas Mavericks.

Alex Murphy graduated after transferring from Duke a few years ago and Brandone Francis-Ramirez transferred out once he realized he wouldn't see the floor very much this year. However, that team went 21-15 last season and 9-9 in the conference. With the returning starters and the availability of four-star guard Keith Stone this season, this team is not only talented, but deep.

That has resident ESPN bracketologist and March Madness expert Joe Lunardi "bullish" on this team.

Just got off phone w @ESPNLunardi who said he's "bullish" on Florida based on experience, talent returning,

— Kevin Brockway (@gatorhoops) November 8, 2016

Just about everyone on the roster (who isn't as freshman) has seen major minutes with the exception of Stone and should have improved over the sun. Much maligned point guard Kasey Hill has apparently been hard at work improving his jumper, which was a clear weakness for him last season so that should help spread the floor for the Gators. Devin Robinson has shown signs of brilliance and will really just need to show that he can shoot the ball more consistently this year for the Gators to be a very good team and possibly the second-best in the SEC.

ESPN's resident bracketologist 'bullish' on this darkhorse team for 2016-17

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