Boogie Fland exposes what truly separates Florida and Arkansas

Florida Basketball is set to be unveiled to everyone this Monday, when the Gators open the season in Las Vegas against Arizona. Florida enters the year ranked No. 3, and one of the reasons why the Gators have a solid chance to repeat is transfer Boogie Fland from Arkansas.

It was surprising to some extent to see Fland make the jump to Florida, but as he explained it, it may not have been that shocking after all.

Boogie Fland feels at home in Gainesville

There had been rumblings that Fland would probably just go straight to the NBA when he hit the transfer portal after last season, but he has opted to make a run with Florida in hopes of winning a national title.

Fland was asked during a media session about what makes Florida different than Arkansas, and his answer was candid, even if he didn't intend for it to be:

"For me, it's just more of a family (here). People love seeing each other every day, going to work, and just the spirit on the court is different."

Fland was with legendary coach John Calipari last season as a five-star prospect and was having a great freshman campaign until a thumb injury ultimately derailed his season. Arkansas went on to make the Sweet 16 and almost set up a rematch with Florida in the Elite Eight before losing to Texas Tech in overtime.

Fland entered the NBA Draft after the season and went through the pre-draft process, and he also spoke on why he opted to pull out and transfer over to Florida:

"I wasn’t planning on coming back to college, then I met with coach Golden and he kind of changed my mind.”

Florida is glad he did come back, and the hope is that Fland can help replace the guards that departed after last season's national title and ultimately get Florida to another national title this season.