The Florida Gators men's basketball team, representing the University of Florida, takes center stage in the exciting world of college basketball. Competing in NCAA Division I's Southeastern Conference (SEC), the Gators showcase their skills at the Exactech Arena in the Stephen C. O'Connell Center on the university's Gainesville, Florida campus.
Founded in 1915, the program's early years faced challenges, with limited university support and lacking a permanent home until the Florida Gymnasium opened in 1949. Despite these hurdles, the Gators made significant strides, with notable moments like their first postseason appearance in the 1969 National Invitation Tournament and a surprising journey to the 1994 Final Four. The team reached new heights with the opening of the O'Connell Center in 1980, providing a modern arena for their basketball endeavors. In March 2022, Todd Golden assumed the role of head basketball coach, steering the Gators towards a promising future in collegiate basketball.
Florida College Basketball Championship Wins
The Gators from the University of Florida have etched their name in the rich tapestry of college basketball, achieving remarkable success on the grand stage of the NCAA tournament. Boasting a total of 22 appearances, the Gators have left an indelible mark with their outstanding performances. Notably, they clinched the NCAA National Championship in back-to-back years, 2006 and 2007, under the expert guidance of coach Billy Donovan. Let's take a closer look at the Gators' championship victories in the table below:
| Championship Type | Number of Wins |
| National Championships | 2 (2006, 2007) |
When did Florida win the College Basketball Championship?
The Gators' crowning achievements came in the 2005–06 and 2006–07 seasons, securing two consecutive national championships. This extraordinary feat marked the first time any team had won back-to-back national championships since Duke accomplished it in 1991–92.
Florida College Basketball Championship appearances: How many College Basketball Championship appearances do Florida have?
Florida's journey through the NCAA tournament is nothing short of remarkable, with a total of 22 appearances. Their combined record stands at an impressive 48 wins and 20 losses. It's worth noting that the appearances in 1987 and 1988 have been vacated by the NCAA, making their official record 45 wins and 18 losses. The Gators' consistent presence in the championship games is a testament to their enduring commitment to excellence. Explore their tournament appearances in the detailed table below:
| Year | Seed | Round | Opponent | Result |
| 1987* | No. 6 | Round of 64 | No. 11 NC State | W 82–70 |
| 1987* | No. 6 | Round of 32 | No. 3 Purdue | W 85–66 |
| 1987* | No. 6 | Sweet Sixteen | No. 2 Syracuse | L 81–87 |
| 1988* | No. 6 | Round of 64 | No. 11 St. John's | W 62–59 |
| 1988* | No. 6 | Round of 32 | No. 3 Michigan | L 85–108 |
| 1989 | No. 7 | Round of 64 | No. 10 Colorado State | L 46–68 |
| 1994 | No. 3 | Round of 64 | No. 14 James Madison | W 64–62 |
| 1994 | No. 3 | Round of 32 | No. 11 Penn | W 70–58 |
| 1994 | No. 3 | Sweet Sixteen | No. 2 Connecticut | W 69–60 OT |
| 1994 | No. 3 | Elite Eight | No. 9 Boston College | W 74–66 |
| 1994 | No. 3 | Final Four | No. 2 Duke | L 65–70 |
| 1995 | No. 10 | Round of 64 | No. 7 Iowa State | L 61–64 |
| 1999 | No. 6 | Round of 64 | No. 11 Penn | W 75–61 |
| 1999 | No. 6 | Round of 32 | No. 14 Weber State | W 82–74 OT |
| 1999 | No. 6 | Sweet Sixteen | No. 10 Gonzaga | L 72–73 |
| 2000 | No. 5 | Round of 64 | No. 12 Butler | W 69–68 OT |
| 2000 | No. 5 | Round of 32 | No. 4 Illinois | W 93–76 |
| 2000 | No. 5 | Sweet Sixteen | No. 1 Duke | W 87–78 |
| 2000 | No. 5 | Elite Eight | No. 3 Oklahoma State | W 77–65 |
| 2000 | No. 5 | Final Four | No. 8 North Carolina | W 71–59 |
| 2000 | No. 5 | National Championship Game | No. 1 Michigan State | L 76–89 |
| 2001 | No. 3 | Round of 64 | No. 14 WKU | W 69–56 |
| 2001 | No. 3 | Round of 32 | No. 11 Temple | L 54–75 |
| 2002 | No. 5 | Round of 64 | No. 12 Creighton | L 82–83 |
| 2003 | No. 2 | Round of 64 | No. 15 Sam Houston State | W 85–55 |
| 2003 | No. 2 | Round of 32 | No. 7 Michigan State | L 46–68 |
| 2004 | No. 5 | Round of 64 | No. 12 Manhattan | L 60–75 |
| 2005 | No. 4 | Round of 64 | No. 13 Ohio | W 67–62 |
| 2005 | No. 4 | Round of 32 | No. 5 Villanova | L 65–76 |
| 2006 | No. 3 | Round of 64 | No. 14 South Alabama | W 76–50 |
| 2006 | No. 3 | Round of 32 | No. 11 Milwaukee | W 82–60 |
| 2006 | No. 3 | Sweet Sixteen | No. 7 Georgetown | W 57–53 |
| 2006 | No. 3 | Elite Eight | No. 1 Villanova | W 75–62 |
| 2006 | No. 3 | Final Four | No. 11 George Mason | W 73–58 |
| 2006 | No. 3 | National Championship Game | No. 2 UCLA | W 73–57 |
| 2007 | No. 1 | Round of 64 | No. 16 Jackson State | W 112–69 |
| 2007 | No. 1 | Round of 32 | No. 9 Purdue | W 74–67 |
| 2007 | No. 1 | Sweet Sixteen | No. 5 Butler | W 65–57 |
| 2007 | No. 1 | Elite Eight | No. 3 Oregon | W 85–77 |
| 2007 | No. 1 | Final Four | No. 2 UCLA | W 76–66 |
| 2007 | No. 1 | National Championship Game | No. 1 Ohio State | W 84–75 |
| 2010 | No. 10 | Round of 64 | No. 7 BYU | L 92–99 2OT |
| 2011 | No. 2 | Round of 64 | No. 15 UC Santa Barbara | W 79–51 |
| 2011 | No. 2 | Round of 32 | No. 7 UCLA | W 73–65 |
| 2011 | No. 2 | Sweet Sixteen | No. 3 BYU | W 83–74 OT |
| 2011 | No. 2 | Elite Eight | No. 8 Butler | L 71–74 OT |
| 2012 | No. 7 | Round of 64 | No. 10 Virginia | W 71–45 |
| 2012 | No. 7 | Round of 32 | No. 15 Norfolk State | W 84–50 |
| 2012 | No. 7 | Sweet Sixteen | No. 3 Marquette | W 68–58 |
| 2012 | No. 7 | Elite Eight | No. 4 Louisville | L 68–72 |
| 2013 | No. 3 | Round of 64 | No. 14 Northwestern State | W 79–47 |
| 2013 | No. 3 | Round of 32 | No. 11 Minnesota | W 78–64 |
| 2013 | No. 3 | Sweet Sixteen | No. 15 Florida Gulf Coast | W 62–50 |
| 2013 | No. 3 | Elite Eight | No. 4 Michigan | L 59–79 |
| 2014 | No. 1 | Round of 64 | No. 16 Albany | W 67–55 |
| 2014 | No. 1 | Round of 32 | No. 9 Pittsburgh | W 61–45 |
| 2014 | No. 1 | Sweet Sixteen | No. 4 UCLA | W 79–68 |
| 2014 | No. 1 | Elite Eight | No. 11 Dayton | W 62–52 |
| 2014 | No. 1 | Final Four | No. 7 Connecticut | L 53–63 |
| 2017 | No. 4 | Round of 64 | No. 13 East Tennessee State | W 80–65 |
| 2017 | No. 4 | Round of 32 | No. 5 Virginia | W 65–39 |
| 2017 | No. 4 | Sweet Sixteen | No. 8 Wisconsin | W 84–83 OT |
| 2017 | No. 4 | Elite Eight | No. 7 South Carolina | L 70–77 |
| 2018 | No. 6 | Round of 64 | No. 11 St. Bonaventure | W 77–62 |
| 2018 | No. 6 | Round of 32 | No. 3 Texas Tech | L 66–69 |
| 2019 | No. 10 | Round of 64 | No. 7 Nevada | W 70–61 |
| 2019 | No. 10 | Round of 32 | No. 2 Michigan | L 49–64 |
| 2021 | No. 7 | Round of 64 | No. 10 Virginia Tech | W 75–70 OT |
| 2021 | No. 7 | Round of 32 | No. 15 Oral Roberts | L 78–81 |
When did Florida last appear in the College Basketball Championship?
Florida's most recent appearance in the College Basketball Championship was in 2021, where they faced a challenging matchup against Virginia Tech in the Round of 64, ultimately prevailing in overtime with a score of 75–70. Although their journey in that particular tournament came to an end against Oral Roberts in the following round, the Gators' consistent presence reaffirms their status as formidable contenders.
Florida Conferences Wins
In addition to their NCAA triumphs, the Gators have showcased their dominance in conference play, securing victories in the Southeastern Conference (SEC). Notable conference tournament championships were achieved in 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2014. The 2005–06 season, in particular, marked a historic moment with a 17–0 start, surprising many with a young and selfless squad. The Gators' first SEC men's basketball tournament win in 2005 set the stage for subsequent successes.
The pinnacle of their conference achievements came with the back-to-back NCAA national men's basketball championships in 2006 and 2007. The Gators' starting lineup made history by becoming the first team since Duke in 1991–92 to win consecutive tournaments with the same starting five. Their remarkable journey solidified their place as legends in college basketball, leaving an enduring legacy at the University of Florida.
FAQ's On Florida College March Madness Playoff History
A. The Gators have made 22 NCAA tournament appearances, achieving remarkable success with two consecutive national championships in 2006 and 2007.
A. Florida secured back-to-back NCAA National Championships under coach Billy Donovan in the 2005–06 and 2006–07 seasons.
A. Florida's basketball team has won two National Championships, clinching the titles in 2006 and 2007.
A. Florida's most recent appearance was in 2021, facing Virginia Tech in the Round of 64 and winning in overtime.
A. Florida has an impressive all-time NCAA tournament record of 48 wins and 20 losses, with two vacated appearances.
