The Florida Gators have had an unstoppable start to the 2024-25 season, riding high with a perfect 12-0 record. But as the calendar flips to the new year, their true test looms—the Southeastern Conference (SEC) challenges. With the highest winning record in the nation and sitting comfortably at No. 6 in the AP Poll rankings, Todd Golden’s squad is set for a post-Christmas test that will determine whether their strong start will lead to lasting success.

According to Rob Dauster of Field of 68: After Dark, the Gators need to sharpen their scoring from two key players—Will Richard and Alijah Martin. While discussing how the team might be the fifth-best team in the SEC, Dauster went ahead to give his take.

“So I’m just going to say that with that context, they need Will Richard to be better. I think they need more, and I would make the argument they need Alijah Martin to be shooting a little bit better, too. They need more consistency out of those two guys, their shooters and scorers, because so much of what Todd Golden does is analytically driven, and we’re going to shoot threes, and we’re going to pace and space,” Dauster explained.

Richard and Martin have been key contributors to Florida’s unbeaten run. Richard is averaging 14 points per game and boasts a strong shooting percentage of 49.2% from the field, including 33.3% from beyond the arc.

In Dauster’s point, “You can’t have two of your three best players shooting below 34% from three and be able to compete with the likes of Auburn and Tennessee and Kentucky and Alabama at the top of one of maybe the best conferences we have ever seen in college basketball.”

However, as Dauster pointed out, consistency from Richard and Martin will be crucial as the SEC schedule heats up. Martin, a vital player for Golden’s offense, is posting 14.9 PPG with a solid 44.9% shooting percentage and 33.8% from three-point range. Although already a decent display, both players must take their games to the next level if Florida wants to stay competitive as SEC play intensifies.

As SEC play heats up, Florida’s stars must step up—like a clutch shooter nailing the game-winner. Richard and Martin are key to keeping the Gators rolling. And who knows, they probably are all set to take on this challenge as well.

Florida Gators’ clutch victory over UNC shows they’re ready to rise in SEC play

While the Gators’ offensive firepower is evident, their ability to grind out wins has been impressive. Florida’s most intense matchup so far came against North Carolina in the Jumpman Invitational.

Despite a late rally by the Tar Heels, who erased a 17-point first-half deficit and even took a four-point lead in the final minutes, Florida held firm. Will Richard scored 22 points, and Martin added 19, leading the Gators to a 90-84 victory.

Richard’s clutch offensive rebound and putback with 54 seconds left sealed the win, exemplifying the team’s composure under pressure. Despite North Carolina’s aggressive defense in the second half, the Gators never panicked, demonstrating their poise and focus.

Currently, Florida ranks fourth in the nation in rebound margin with an edge of 12.0 boards per game, and they sit eighth in the adjusted scoring margin with a 22-point average. This dominance on the boards is a crucial aspect of their success and one that Todd Golden has prioritized. With a team that’s been so effective at both ends of the floor, it’s clear why they’ve been so difficult to defeat.

As the SEC schedule kicks off, Florida will be tested by some of the toughest teams in the nation. Todd Golden’s team has been outstanding so far, but the true challenge lies ahead. With a blend of experience and emerging talent, they will need their stars to deliver under pressure and keep up their momentum.

Golden’s analytical approach, focused on shooting threes and creating space, has served the team well, but it will take more than numbers to secure SEC glory. Whether the Gators can maintain their unbeaten run and prove themselves as a serious contender in the SEC remains to be seen, but their performance post-Christmas will be critical.