The 2022-23 college basketball season has been a year where top-ranked teams have frequently been on upset alert. That was the case yet again for the No. 2 ranked Tennessee Volunteers, who took on a pesky Florida Gators team that gave them all sorts of fits.
The Volunteers had an extremely tough time on the road in Gainesville, shooting just 27 percent from the field and 20 percent on three-point attempts.
Florida forward Colin Castleton also gave them problems all night, scoring 20 points and propelling the Gators to a huge 67-54 upset win over Tennessee.
This was a massive win for Florida, who finds themselves with some work to do if they hope to potentially make the NCAA Tournament come March.
Florida defeats #2 Tennessee 67-54
Colin Castleton with 20 points and 9 rebounds for Gators. Vols had nothing on offense.
— Trey Wallace (@TreyWallace_) February 2, 2023
The #Gators still have plenty of work to do, but tonight's win sets the stage for a potential run to the NCAA Tournament.
And I, personally, really want to see Colin Castleton in an NCAA Tournament.
— Thomas Goldkamp (@ThomasGoldkamp) February 2, 2023
20 points tonight for Colin Castleton!
It is insanely loud at the O’Connell Center right now. #GoGators pic.twitter.com/PGGzJGwabZ
— Jake Rongholt WCJB (@BothSidesSports) February 2, 2023
Meanwhile, it was an extremely disappointing effort for Tennessee, who was limited to a season-low 54 points, far short of their average of 74.4 points per game.
This latest upset makes this college basketball history in a concerning way for top-ranked teams. According to ESPN Stats & Info, Tennessee’s loss to Florida marks the tenth time that an AP Top-2 ranked team has lost this season, which is the most in AP Poll history.
No. 2 Tennessee lost to Florida, becoming the 10th different AP Top-2 school to lose this season.
That's already the most different Top-2 teams to lose in a season in AP Poll history pic.twitter.com/iRxJKhaKWQ
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) February 2, 2023
This record speaks to just how competitive this season of college basketball has been for fans, which certainly creates an entertaining and intriguing product for fans at home.
Aside from the Purdue Boilermakers with only one loss on the season, no team has really separated themselves from the pack to make it clear that they are the true top team in the country.
The parity in college basketball this season should make for a very interesting NCAA Tournament come March unless some other teams emerge from the pack.
[ESPN Stats & Info on Twitter]
