Where does Florida basketball stand among other SEC programs?
Before the late 1980s, Floridas basketball program wasnt even on the radar. The team made the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 1987, advancing to the Sweet 16, and though the Gators made the next two NCAA Tournaments, real success wouldnt come until the hiring of coach Lon Kruger in 1990. In 1994, Kruger took UF to its first Final Four, and when Billy Donovan was hired two years later, the program started on a track toward its pinnacle. Donovan won back-to-back national titles in 2006 and 2007, and though the team has reached a Final Four and four Elite Eights since then, it hasnt recaptured a title. In a survey of anonymous coaches from nationally relevant programs, ESPN attempted to create a tier system for the SEC. The Wildcats were the only team in Tier 1, but the Gators led the way in Tier 2. Florida is clearly in Tier 2, and the Gators can make a strong case for being the second-best program in the league. The Gators won national championships under Billy Donovan in 2006 and 2007, and have missed just four NCAA tournaments in the past 22 years. Youre the lone SEC school in the state of Florida, one coach said. Theres so much talent in there. And its just Florida, Miami and Florida State. Theyre the flagbearer for the SEC in the state. Theyre really close to Atlanta. Gainesville isnt too far off from other places  . And its not just tradition, its recent history, too. Its national titles within the last 15 years, they have guys that are in the NBA, thats important. Their facilities arent that bad. And its 60 degrees and sunny in the winter. And for kids in the south, that cant go overlooked. Some coaches in the league voiced a perception that Donovan made the program seem better than it was, as UF has hardly any history beyond Donovan, Lon Kruger and Mike Whites recent modest success. The fan support isnt what it is at Tennessee, Kentucky, Arkansas, even Auburn, one coach said. Unless theyre winning national championships, that place [the OConnell Center] isnt full. And they play in an older facility, although theyve renovated it.  While Floridas on-court product has been about as consistent (if not more) than anyone else in the league other than UK in recent years, its true that the team lacks the fan support of some of the other squads. And with programs like Arkansas and Alabama emerging with top new coaches, Floridas standing could slip if White doesnt return the team to elite play soon. UFs prestige as a program is certainly a bit inflated. If you ignore the immaculate two-year run under Donovan, the rest of the programs history doesnt correspond to that of an elite program. At the same time, the Gators almost never miss the NCAA Tournament and recruit well year in and year out. Though reaching Kentuckys level may be unrealistic given the relative resources the UK administration invests in the program, theres no reason UF cant solidly assert itself at No. 2.