![Florida center Rueben Chinyelu (9) talks with Florida head coach Todd Golden as he comes off court during the second half of a NCAA mens basketball game against South Carolina at Steven C. O'Connell Center Exactek arena in Gainesville, FL on Tuesday, February 17, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,x_0,y_197,w_2491,h_1401/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/213/01kjd53yx7kga74wpgpx.jpg "Florida center Rueben Chinyelu (9) talks with Florida head coach Todd Golden as he comes off court during the second half of a NCAA mens basketball game against South Carolina at Steven C. O'Connell Center Exactek arena in Gainesville, FL on Tuesday, February 17, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]")
The Florida Gators had a close call against Texas on Wednesday night, but when it came down to the end of the game, the reigning National Champions knew how to finish the game. This is not the same Florida team from last year that always found a way to win a game when down, but right now they are looking scary and could start thinking about a repeat.
Florida currently sits at the top of the SEC right now, and while the conference isn't as lethal as it was last season, it is still projected to receive a very favorable seed in the NCAA Tournament. With three games left in the regular season, Florida is on a roll and is one team everyone should be watching out for.
TNT Sports analyst Dalen Cuff believes Florida is the best team in the country right now
After the Gators' 84-71 win over the Longhorns, TNT Sports analyst Dalen Cuff made a bold claim that is making more and more sense with every Florida win. Cuff believes not only is Florida the best team in the country right now, but they have the potential to do something special.
"I think [Florida] is the best team in the country when they're playing their best," Cuff said. "They have the highest ceiling to me."
"I think [Florida] is the best team in the country when they're playing their best."@DalenCuff is buying stock in the Gators going back-to-back 😮 pic.twitter.com/UXkXQDu73y
— TNT Sports U.S. (@TNTSportsUS) February 26, 2026
Cuff believes Florida has a real chance to repeat as National Champions, with their ceiling the highest among other top teams. Even though the Gators lost to other great teams this season, like Duke and UConn, they have found a better way to play this season at this point, and it is what sparked the current eight-game win streak.
Thomas Haugh and Alex Condon, who were both on the championship team last season, have come into form this season, Haugh averaging 16.9 points per game and Condon averaging 14.3 points per game. Condon had a special night against Texas, shooting 10-for-12 from the floor for 23 points.
The Gators will have a tough test ahead of them, facing Arkansas on Saturday, but they get to play in front of the home crowd. Florida has separated itself from the rest of the SEC, but everything will become a lot clearer once the big dance begins.