New Headline: "Exciting Upset! Gators Fall Short as Elite Elite Surpasses Classic Throw

GAINESVILLE, Fla — Florida Gators coach Todd Golden prefers winning to wake-up calls, if given the choice. Entering the SEC Tournament, he dismissed the notion that a loss could serve as a reality check for the red-hot, ultra-confident Gators. On Monday, Golden was forced to recalibrate after Saturday’s 91-74 comeuppance in the semifinals against Vanderbilt ended Florida’s 12-game winning streak.

“We’re going to definitely learn from it,” he said. “We’re gonna use it to our advantage for sure, but I’m never gonna be like, ‘Oh, man, I’m glad we lost. ’ “I get it, but I’m not with it.

” The most lopsided loss under Golden in more than two seasons did not cost the Gators (26-7) the final No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament as the reigning national champions seek a rare repeat. Florida (26-7) will face Prairie View or Lehigh at 9:25 p.

m. Friday in Tampa’s Benchmark International Arena. Barring a major upset, the Gators would face the winner between No.