The 2025 season is shaping up to be a memorable one for Florida Basketball. The Gators have stormed out to a 13-0 start and currently sit at No. 6 in the latest AP Poll as they prepare to kick off SEC play against Kentucky on Saturday.
Florida boasts a top-ten national ranking in points per game and holds the second-best scoring margin in the country. Here are three key factors behind the Gators’ undefeated start to the season.
Grand Theft Basketball
One of Florida’s primary goals heading into the 2024-25 season was to become more aggressive on the defensive end. Last season, Tyrese Samuel led the Gators with 1.14 steals per game, but the team’s overall defensive impact needed improvement.
This year, the Gators have cracked the top 50 nationally in steals per game, thanks to a collective effort. Walter Clayton has increased his average to 1.31 steals per game, ranking only third on the team. Meanwhile, Will Richard and Alijah Martin are both averaging over two steals per game.
As a result, Florida now ranks 8th nationally in opponent assist-to-turnover ratio. Opposing teams are committing 13 turnovers per game while dishing out just nine assists, underscoring the Gators’ disruptive defensive presence.
Defend Downtown
During the early stages of the Todd Golden era, defensive rotations were often inconsistent, leading to an abundance of open three-point looks that routinely punished the Gators.
This season, Florida has tightened its perimeter defense to complement its increased activity in generating steals. The Gators have made life difficult for opposing shooters, holding teams to a mere 26.6% from beyond the arc—the second-lowest opponent three-point percentage in the nation.
Some Things Never Change
A defining feature of the Todd Golden era has been the Gators’ dominance in the paint, and that trend continues in the 2024-25 season. Florida’s prowess on the offensive glass, a strength last year, remains a cornerstone of their success.
This season, the Gators are grabbing offensive rebounds on an impressive 41% of their missed shots—the second-best rate in the nation—proving that their size and effort inside remain as formidable as ever.
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