Even with loss to Alabama, Florida Basketball holds firm in AP Top 25 poll

Florida Basketball ascended into the top 25 last week for the first time in the Todd Golden Era. But after a loss to Alabama, there could have been a pathway that saw the Gators stay among the nation's elite a short one.

But given how the loss went down, combined with a dominating performance over Vanderbilt, voters seem happy to keep the Gators right where they left them.

Florida Basketball: The More Things Change, The More They Stay The Same

For the second straight week, the Gators are ranked 24th in the AP Top 25. The Gators racked up 140 points in the poll, ahead of the 127 given to newly ranked USF and the 92 BYU received.

It would have been harsh to job Florida after taking Alabama, now ranked 14th after being blasted by Kentucky, to overtime while on the road. Florida has proved all season long that they are among the most competitive teams in the country, even if the close-out wins haven't always followed.

In other good news for the Gators, their win over Mississippi State on January 24th has become a Quad 1 win after the Bulldogs ascended into the top 30 in the NCAA Net rankings.

Barring a late collapse, Florida should be safe to make the NCAA Tournament. They have four games remaining before the SEC Tournament. As long as the Gators can take care of Missouri and Vanderbilt, they should be okay, even if they lose to both South Carolina and Alabama.

But if Florida can go at least 3-1 down this stretch, Selection Sunday should be a stress free one for Florida;