Florida Basketball fans had to feel like it was deja vu' on Selection Sunday. This time last year, Gator fans were left feeling their efforts in the SEC Tournament were ignored as the NCAA committee refused to bump Florida up in the seedings.
Once again, despite an SEC Tournament championship, the NCAA committee looked at Florida's efforts in Nashville and went, "Nah."
Florida Basketball: You Can't See Me
After winning the SEC Tournament, getting a one seed wasn't in question for the Gators. Where they would get sent to was the deeper question.
Some might argue it is semantics, but Auburn getting the overall number-one seed ahead of Florida has residual effects.
Auburn gets the benefit of staying close to home and gets to play its potential Sweet 16/Elite 8 matchups in Atlanta.
Florida, meanwhile, is getting shipped off to San Francisco if it wants to make the Final Four.
It may come across as whining and complaining, but it is confirmation of something all Gator fans learned last year:
The NCAA Tournament Committee doesn't care about the results of conference tournaments.
This was the case last season when Florida wasn't rewarded for advancing to the finals of the SEC Tournament, and it was evident again this Sunday when the Gators beat Tennessee,
The reward for Florida is a trip to San Francisco if it wants to make the Final Four.
All things considered, the actual bracket is one Florida should feel confident about. The Gators will need to keep an eye on UConn, given they are the two-time defending national champions, and the potential of facing St. John's and/or Texas Tech should give pause.
And, given the choice of playing in San Francisco and playing in Atlanta, most Gator fans know what Todd Golden would have chosen.
But, true to the approach Florida has taken all season long if getting to San Antonio requires a trip to San Francisco, then we go to the Golden Gate Bridge.
Chomp, chomp, chomp, everyone.
This is March.