Florida Tops SEC in ESPN's Bracketology After Crushing South Carolina

The defending national champions have quietly won six of seven by an average of 20.8 points, averaging 91.8 points in the process.

Jan. 30, 2026 at 12:39pm

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After crushing the South Carolina Gamecocks on the road Wednesday night, Florida basketball is now the highest-seeded SEC school in ESPN's bracketology. The Gators have moved up to a No. 3 seed in the East Region, where they are matched up with the 14-seeded Winthrop Eagles in the opening round held in Tampa, Florida.

Why it matters

This is a significant boost for the defending national champions, who have had an up-and-down season so far. The blowout win over South Carolina has caught the attention of ESPN's Joe Lunardi, who believes the Gators are rounding into championship form just in time for the stretch run.

The details

Florida's 95-48 victory over South Carolina on Wednesday night was the biggest SEC road win in program history and tied the Gators' all-time SEC high. The dominant performance has propelled Florida to a No. 3 seed in ESPN's latest bracketology update, up from a No. 4 seed previously. The Gators are now slotted in the East Region, where they would face Winthrop in the opening round in Tampa.

  • On Wednesday night, Florida crushed South Carolina 95-48 on the road.
  • Florida will face Alabama in a nationally televised showdown on Sunday (January 26, 2026) at 1 p.m. ET on ABC.

The players

Florida Gators

The defending national champions who are now the highest-seeded SEC school in ESPN's bracketology.

South Carolina Gamecocks

The team that Florida crushed 95-48 on the road in the biggest SEC road win in Gators' program history.

Joe Lunardi

ESPN's bracketology expert who has moved Florida up to a No. 3 seed in the East Region.

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What they’re saying

“A year ago this weekend, the team that would go on to win the 2025 national title scored only 44 points in a nationally televised loss at Tennessee. At that point, last season's Florida Gators looked no more like a title team than this season's Gators did a week ago in a home loss to Auburn.”

— Joe Lunardi, ESPN Bracketologist (ESPN)

“But then came the championship-level response: a 47-point road win at South Carolina heading into a nationally televised showdown Sunday against Alabama (1 p.m. ET, ABC). These Gators have quietly won six of seven by an average of 20.8 points, averaging 91.8 points in the process.”

— Joe Lunardi, ESPN Bracketologist (ESPN)

What’s next

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