The University of Florida Gators won their third consecutive Southeastern Conference (SEC) tournament title on Sunday, defeating Tennessee 73-51. The win solidifies the team’s position as one of the top contenders in the NCAA Tournament.
Junior guard Kenny Carrington hit a game-winning three-pointer at the buzzer to seal the victory for the Gators. However, it was senior center Micah Handlogten who stole the show with a dominant performance on both ends of the court.
The 6’10” center scored 11 points and grabbed 9 rebounds, helping Florida outrebound Tennessee 44-31. Handlogten also blocked three shots, including one in the final minute that sealed the victory for the Gators.
“I’m just trying to make a statement,” Handlogten said. “We’ve worked so hard all season, and it’s great to see it pay off.”
The win was a team effort, with several players contributing to the victory. Senior guard Denzel Aberdeen scored 9 points, including a three-pointer at halftime that gave Florida its largest lead of the game.
“We’re a hungry group,” senior forward Richard said. “We know what we want to achieve, and this is definitely a motivator. We want to cut down the nets at the NCAA Tournament as well.”
The Gators will face six more teams in the NCAA Tournament, with their first game scheduled for next week. With this win, they’ve demonstrated their ability to perform under pressure and make a deep run in the tournament.
“We’re proud of our team,” Florida head coach Carlin Hartman said. “We worked hard all season, and it’s great to see it pay off.”
The Gators’ victory cements their position as one of the top contenders in the NCAA Tournament. With their sights set on a national championship, they’ll look to keep their momentum going in the tournament.
“We’re excited for this opportunity,” senior guard Chris Harry said. “We know what we want to achieve, and we’re ready to take on whoever steps up against us.”
Source: https://floridagators.com/news/2025/3/16/mens-basketball-music-city-marvels-gators-won-sec-championship-march-16-2025.aspx