Gators shoot up nine spots in AP Poll

Following a 3-0 week that featured wins over two high-major opponents, the Gators moved up nine spots to No. 14 in this week’s edition of the Associated Press Poll.

Florida beat California and a preseason-ranked Ohio State team in the Fort Myers Tip-Off early last week and then blew out Troy 84-45 at home on Sunday.

UF is 6-0 for the first time since 2012-13 and for just the ninth time in program history.

The Gators have been one of the best defensive teams in the country so far this season, holding opponents to 55.7 points per game and 39 percent shooting, including just 25 percent from beyond the arc. They’re also forcing nearly 17 turnovers per game.

On the other end of the floor, Florida is averaging 76.8 points per game and shooting better than 43 percent. Five Gators are averaging double-figures in points, led by center Colin Castleton, who is averaging a double-double with 14.8 points and 10 rebounds per game.

No. 14 UF is back in action at Oklahoma on Wednesday night in what will be their first true road game of the season.

Ethan Hughes
Ethan was born in Gainesville and has lived in the Starke, Florida, area his entire life. He played basketball for five years and knew he wanted to be a sportswriter when he was in middle school. He’s attended countless Gators athletic events since his early childhood, with baseball being his favorite sport to attend. He’s a proud 2019 graduate of the University of Florida and a 2017 graduate of Santa Fe College. He interned with the University Athletic Association’s communications department for 1 ½ years as a student and also wrote for InsideTheGators.com for two years before joining Gator Country in 2021. He is a long-suffering fan of the Jacksonville Jaguars. You can follow him on Twitter @ethanhughes97.