What they're saying about the Florida Gators' blowout win over No. 19 Alabama

The Florida Gators’ bid to win the SEC Basketball Tournament for the first time since 2014 is still alive after Friday night’s 102-88 beatdown of No. 19 Alabama in the event’s quarterfinals.

And with the win, Florida just might have played itself into a higher seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament.

The Gators, now 23-10, trailed Alabama (21-11) 8-0 early but dominated after that. And it was never a contest after Todd Golden’s team closed the first half on a 21-2 run.

Guard Walter Clayton led Florida with 23 points. Guard Zyon Pullin added 19 and forward Tyrese Samuel had 18. Social media was buzzing about the Gators during and after the game.

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IT'S GREAT TO BE A FLORIDA GATOR. #GoGators | presented by @WellsFargo pic.twitter.com/If8g54HOMM

— Florida Gators Men’s Basketball (@GatorsMBK) March 16, 2024

I'll say it again: You want no part of Florida in the NCAA Tournament.

— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) March 16, 2024

The Florida Gators can play with anyone in the country 🐊 #GoGators

— Tony Dibapolo (@TonyDibapolo) March 16, 2024

zyon pullin is the best player by far on this team

— Coach jay (@popularloner91) March 16, 2024

Sitting next to a crazy Florida fan front row of the SEC Tournament. Claims Zyon Pullin is the “best player in the conference”#SEC #BBN

— Antonio Threeves 🥹 23-8 (13-5) (@bbn_ukupdates) March 16, 2024

Tyrese Samuel legacy game

— William Norris (@Will_Norris11) March 16, 2024

Tyrese Samuel pic.twitter.com/Ie6orFTBb6

— Jackson Ramer (@JacksonRamer) March 16, 2024

Gotta say, it's fun to go into big games in March with Zyon Pullin and Walter Clayton as your starting backcourt. #Gators

— Jonathan Acosta (@_jacosta) March 16, 2024

Imagine we trot out trey Wilson ||| and Walter clayton jr against Miami in a surprise twist 👀👀

— Austin Hunter (@352_gator) March 16, 2024

Walter Clayton is that dude.

— TonyBaker126 (@TonyBaker126) March 16, 2024

Tyrese Samuel and Micah Handlogten have started all year in the front court for Florida.

But Alex Condon and Thomas Haugh are matchup nightmares for Alabama. Making it happen on both ends and rebounding like animals. Keep them in the game.

— Lucas Dolengowski (@LDolengowski) March 16, 2024

God this version of Alex Condon is SOMETHING

— The Golden Era (@BlueeeOrrrange) March 16, 2024

Todd golden did a great job getting back to how the gators was! Playing 2 bigs with shooters around them! @FloridaGators @GatorsMBK

— Marreese Speights (@Mospeights16) March 16, 2024

Todd Golden is indeed the Portal God, so this nickname is appropriate.

But how about his high school evals? How about his ability to detect three-stars Alex Condon and Thomas Haugh? The man can just flat-out build a basketball team. https://t.co/bbmpXV4RUv

— InAllKindsOfWeather.com (@AllKindsWeather) March 16, 2024

Todd Golden is a special basketball coach and maybe even better talent evaluator

— Boycotting the atlanta hawks (@hesitween) March 16, 2024

Todd Golden is gonna make people fear Florida basketball again and at least he seems to be a respectable head coach in this league

— Kasey Ray (@kaseyray11) March 16, 2024

Florida owns Alabama, what else is new

— Rob (@monteeky_) March 16, 2024

Alabama basketball: Defense Optional

— The Shining Moment (@cbbfreak) March 16, 2024

Outright domination. Alabama has 0 answers on defense. Easily the most fun game of the season. #Gators

— Jake Winderman (@jakewinderman) March 16, 2024

We have a couple days until we can begin filling out brackets but I will be blindly sending the Florida Gators to the second weekend.

— Jake Marsh (@PMTsportsbiz) March 16, 2024

I would die for Todd Golden. This Gator team is ELECTRIC.

— Oʀɪɴ Vᴇɪᴅᴛ (@OrinVeidt) March 16, 2024

Nate Oats gets a huge pay raise and this is how we back it up…

— Brandon Lewis (@blewis1540) March 16, 2024

This level of violence is illegal in 37 states. pic.twitter.com/svhXpyaF11

— Thomas Goldkamp (@ThomasGoldkamp) March 16, 2024

Alabama players looking for their man on defense pic.twitter.com/lkdV9eIq3K

— 🅱️🅰️Ⓜ️ (@_bigbam_) March 16, 2024

Alex condon when he plays vs Alabama pic.twitter.com/JXoN0U16Wl

— Stoned Gator (@GatorStoned) March 16, 2024

Bring us to the trophy👀

— Gator Nation (@gatornation1911) March 16, 2024

Todd Golden is playing chess. 4 dudes 6-10 or taller and 2 veteran guards. Florida is just scratching the surface of what that program can become.

— Brian Mull (@BGMull) March 16, 2024

I love you Todd golden

— Zack (@zackainshit) March 16, 2024

Todd golden masterclass?

— J (@UFPJR) March 16, 2024

Whatever Florida is going to be seeded when the bracket comes out, it's too low. That team is figuring things out and Todd Golden is a hell of a coach.

— Scott Forester (@ScottForesterTV) March 16, 2024

Todd Golden looks to be starting something really special down in G-Vegas! 🐊🏀💪🏼

— Mark RideOut (@904BullGata) March 16, 2024

Florida looks like a complete different team. Todd Golden has done an excellent job. The development is unreal.

— HS Top Recruits (@HSTopRecruiting) March 16, 2024

War Damn Gators!!!!

— Tiger3P 🏴‍☠️ (@Tiger3P) March 16, 2024

Samuel, Pullen, Handglogden will all play in the nba. This team could make a little noise. 🐊 And Walter Clayton is a great college guard. Got a little Chizz in him.

— Scott Miller (@SwoopScottM) March 16, 2024

pic.twitter.com/0kSyNOgNox

— Southern Charm Sports (@SouthernCharmSp) March 16, 2024

…… pic.twitter.com/nrj48xOYrC

— SPG (@SPG9814) March 16, 2024

pic.twitter.com/hRNTJ7tRpI

— Barnhead (@Jamhead6) March 16, 2024

60 good minutes in a row from the gators

— Benjamin (@sirbroth) March 16, 2024