Florida is the No. 1 team in the West Region in its bid to erase last year’s early NCAA Tournament exit.
The Gators (30-4) will open against No. 16 Norfolk State in Raleigh, North Carolina, with a potential matchup against two-time reigning national champion UConn in the second round. The eighth-seeded Huskies open against No. 9 seed Oklahoma in a West Region that concludes in San Francisco.
Florida lost to Colorado in the first round last season, coach Todd Golden’s second in Gainesville. The fourth-ranked Gators have been one of the nation’s most well-rounded teams this year, ranking No. 1 in the KenPom offensive efficiency ratings and 10 on defense.
Florida took down No. 21 Missouri, No. 5 Alabama and No. 8 Tennessee in consecutive days to win the SEC tournament for the first time since 2014.
The West Region also includes second-seeded St. John’s, fresh off its first Big East tournament title since 2000, No. 3 Texas Tech, No. 4 Maryland and No. 7 Kansas.
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