Florida slips back off CBS Sports' bracketology bubble after Kentucky loss

© File photo Feb 4, 2023; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Jacob Toppin (0) shoots the ball against the Florida Gators during the second half at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports

Things were looking good for Florida basketball after an upset victory at home over the then-second-ranked Tennessee Volunteers last Wednesday. Many of the major NCAA Tournament bracket predictions, including CBS Sports’ Jerry Palm’s bracketology, came away feeling higher on the Gators than before.

But the pink cloud turned to grey on Saturday when the Kentucky Wildcats took advantage of yet another slow start by the Orange and Blue to earn the win in Rupp Arena. Florida did not lose too much ground in the objective rankings following the loss but they remained voteless in both the Coaches and AP polls.

Palm was clearly not pleased with what he saw from Todd Golden‘s gang in their last game and subsequently, the Gators saw themselves fall off the tournament bubble once again in his update on Monday.

Next up for Florida is the Alabama Crimson Tide, who host the Gators on Wednesday, Feb. 8, inside Coleman Coliseum in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Nate Oats’ squad currently sits atop the Midwest region with the No. 1 seed in Palm’s update. Tipoff for the midweek affair is scheduled for 9 p.m. EST and the game can be followed by watching ESPN2 or listening to the Gator Sports Network.

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