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Kentucky Enters SEC Tournament as Large Underdog Against Florida
Wildcats look to pull off upset in third matchup with Gators this season
Mar. 12, 2026 at 8:22pm
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Kentucky will face off against Florida in the SEC Tournament, with the Wildcats entering as an 11.5-point underdog. The two teams have met twice already this season, with Florida winning both games. Kentucky is looking to pull off the upset and advance in the tournament.
Why it matters
This game is an important matchup in the SEC Tournament, as Kentucky and Florida are two of the top teams in the conference. A win for Kentucky would be a major upset and boost their chances of making a deep run in the tournament, while a Florida victory would solidify their status as one of the favorites to win the SEC title.
The details
Kentucky has kept both of their regular season games against Florida close, losing by 7 points at home and on the road. The Wildcats are coming off a 78-72 win over Missouri in the opening round of the SEC Tournament. Florida is a 11.5-point favorite in this neutral site matchup, with KenPom and Bart Torvik projecting the Gators to win by around 10 points. Kentucky has covered the spread in 4 of their 8 SEC games as an underdog this season, including outright wins at Arkansas and Tennessee.
- The game will tipoff at 1:00 p.m. ET on Friday, March 12, 2026.
- Kentucky and Florida have met 10 times in the SEC Tournament since 1985, with the Wildcats holding a 7-3 advantage.
The players
Kentucky Wildcats
The Kentucky Wildcats are the men's basketball team of the University of Kentucky. They are one of the most successful college basketball programs in the country, with 8 national championships.
Florida Gators
The Florida Gators are the athletic teams of the University of Florida. The men's basketball team has won 2 national championships and is one of the top programs in the SEC.
What they’re saying
“Hopefully, the third time will be the charm and the Wildcats can tally another in the win column on Friday afternoon.”
— Nick Roush, Author (on3.com)
What’s next
The winner of this game will advance to the semifinals of the SEC Tournament.
The takeaway
This matchup between Kentucky and Florida in the SEC Tournament features two of the top teams in the conference, with the Wildcats looking to pull off a major upset as a heavy underdog. A Kentucky victory would be a significant boost to their NCAA Tournament hopes, while a Florida win would solidify their status as a favorite to win the SEC title.
