The No. 8 Vols will host No. 5 Florida on Saturday. Earlier this season in Gainesville, the Gators handed the Vols their first loss. This time, the game will take place in Knoxville, where Tennessee aims to rebound from a loss to Kentucky.

The Gators have not been ranked in the top five of the AP Poll during conference play since Billy Donovan was the head coach. Ten years after Donovan’s final season, current head coach Todd Golden has brought the Gators back to prominence.

Golden, 39, is the youngest men’s basketball head coach in the SEC. Florida is only his second head coaching job, following his stint with the San Francisco Dons.

Golden’s first coaching job was under Bruce Pearl at Auburn during the 2015-16 season. Just three years later he became the head coach of the Dons.

In his second year with the Dons, Golden upset No. 4 ranked Virginia. The next season, 2021-22, he had San Francisco in the NCAA Tournament as a 10-seed. The Dons ended up losing to Murray State in the first round.

Golden was named the Gators’ head coach just one day after his tournament loss. Golden had become an SEC basketball head coach seven years into his coaching career. 

His first year coaching the Gators was pretty uneventful finishing one game below .500 on the season and 9-9 in conference play.

The Gators’ quick rise under Golden has to do with his recruiting success. In 2023, Golden brought in Walter Clayton Jr., Zyon Pullin and Tyrese Samuel as transfers. Those three players all were recognized with All-SEC honors during the 2023-24 season.

Golden’s success did not stop at the transfer portal. Florida signed Alex Condon coming out of Australia. Condon only had one offer according to 247Sports. Condon made the SEC All-Freshman team. Golden has been a great recruiter for the Gators, even being able to find overlooked players in different countries.

Florida improved to 21 wins during the 2023-24 regular season — five more than Golden’s first year. The Gators went on a run in the SEC Tournament final, defeating Alabama before falling to Auburn in the championship game. Clayton finished sixth in the SEC in total points, while Condon was sixth in total rebounds.

In the 2024 NCAA Tournament, Florida earned a No. 7 seed but was eliminated by Colorado in a thrilling 102-100 game. Clayton tied the game for Florida with less than 10 seconds left. Then, Colorado’s KJ Simpson hit the game-winning shot with 1.7 seconds remaining.

Golden reloaded his roster in 2024, landing two new starters in Alijah Martin and Rueben Chinyelu through the transfer portal. Martin, who is second on the team in scoring, led Florida in its blowout win over Tennessee.

This season, Florida is 18-2, with losses to Kentucky and Missouri, both ranked SEC opponents. The Gators’ only ranked win came against Tennessee. Golden has the Gators ranked third in Division I in rebounds per game and fifth in points per game.

The Vols will look to start February with a win over Florida as they seek revenge for earlier in the season. With the Gators’ success and Tennessee’s recent struggles, this rivalry matchup holds extra significance.