Florida has proven time and time again throughout this NCAA Tournament run that the Gators are up for any challenge, and there might not be a hotter team in the country right now. Still, the Orange and blue must play a near-perfect game to beat an equally strong Auburn team and advance to a national championship, according to ESPN.
ESPN basketball recruiting insider Jeff Borzello and staff writer Myron Medcalf broke down the four teams remaining in the Big Dance and the line on Florida is incredibly simple:
"They have encountered more trouble than anticipated in recent weeks, but we've learned you can never assume they're out of a game before it's over... The Gators have five wins against top-20 KenPom teams by 14 or more points in March and refuse to quit against extreme adversity. What we've learned about them in March? They're incredibly difficult to beat."
Despite the praise above, Borzello and Medcalf still have questions about Florida's comfortability level in the face of adversity. The epic comeback against Texas Tech and UConn proved something, but the pressure in the Final Four is exponentially greater, and Auburn knows how to close games out.
What Johni Broome's presence does for gameplan
There's also All-American forward Johni Broome to plan around. Florida didn't exactly stop him the last time around — Broome dropped 18 points and added 11 rebounds and six assists — but they did do well to contain Auburn's best player. The frontcourt quartet of Alex Condon, Rueben Chinyelu, Thomas Haugh and Micah Handlogten will all get their shot, but staying out of foul trouble is paramount in a matchup this important.
While Chinyelu and Handlogten are the two best defensive options, it's Condon that all eyes will be on. A potential draft pick matching up with an expected first-rounder draws attention, and Florida will go as Condon does.
"After his shaky defensive effort against Texas Tech star Darrion Williams, Condon has to be a better defensive player in space against Auburn. The Tigers are stacked with versatile talents at 6-foot-7 or taller who are comfortable on the perimeter and in the post... The Gators don't need every player on their roster to score 15 points, but they will need the 6-foot-11 standout to play excellent defense to advance to the title game."
The flip side of that coin is Auburn figuring out a way to defend Walter Clayton Jr. That's the primary focus of Bruce Pearl's squad on Saturday. Clayton can be the catalyst to one of those patented Florida bursts that decides the game. Look no further than the last time these two teams squared off. Auburn led by nine until UF went on a big run and led by double digits for most of the second half.
How does Florida win?
Just be the same team they've been since that regular-season win over Auburn.
"Florida will win if the Gators play the way they have for the past month. They have made 58% of their shots inside the arc and 38% of their 3-point attempts since March. They have also had the best offense in America over that stretch. They know how to pummel opponents and can do it from every spot on the floor. And they have a unique combination of experience and talent."
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