Updated March 8, 2026, 11:10 a.m. ET

The college basketball regular season has ended and March Madness is now sweeping the sports world. As the game takes center stage, one of its premier figures focuses on elevating performance to match the gravity of the moment.

Over the past two months, the Florida Gators have catapulted up seeding charts and power rankings behind an 11-game win streak and dynamic team execution. Winners of the SEC regular-season title, Todd Golden’s squad brings front-court physicality and a tempo-driven offense to the tournament field.

Poised to capture a first or second seed in the Big Dance, the Gators have hopes of a repeat Final Four appearance. Yet, one glaring statistical weakness continues to loom for the defending champions: 3-point shooting has been the difference between Florida looking like a very formidable team and a legitimate championship contender.

At 30.9%, Florida ranks 326th among all Division I basketball teams this season. Shooting well below the national average does present some concerns for the Gators once pitted against the elites, and the deficiency has shown itself in the team’s close games and losses. For example, the Gators shot 7-for-27 in the season opener against then No. 13-ranked Arizona on the road, a game they lost 93-87.

In games where Florida’s shot is falling, combined with the imposing interior play, they look unbeatable. Their 11 shots from behind the arc helped them run Ole Miss off the floor during a 94-75 victory. A similar outcome befell Georgia when the Gators got hot from three — 10 made 3-pointers against the Bulldogs yielded a 20-point blowout win.

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Three-point scores unclog the paint, allowing for driving lanes to develop. This gives big men like Alex Condon and Reuben Chinyelu the opportunity to impose their will. Conversely, when those shots are not falling, the Gators’ offense becomes easier to defend, as opposing teams can’t pack the paint to neutralize Florida’s strength.

If the Gators want to avoid an early March exit, being intentional about how they tactically approach the 3-ball will be key. Sure, their accuracy from downtown has improved incrementally over the months, but it still is not necessarily a team strength.

The question for Golden and his staff is whether Florida should pray for streaky shooting to break their way on any given tournament night or should they side conservatively and double down on inside play?

Here’s how they can address their 3-point shooting problem. First, overwhelm teams on the glass. Creating second-chance points will take pressure off the half-court shots. Even a missed basketball can be an opportunity for a productive possession.

Shot selection will be vital, timely 3-pointers rather than volume. Florida can not settle for these shots early in the shot clock. Next, the Gators must continue to protect the rim. Ranking in the top 25 in blocks per game, Florida’s ability to erase possessions for the opposing team fixes the math.

In other words, the Gators don’t need to transform into an elite 3-point shooting team overnight, but they do need to play with an extra layer of intentionality — doubling down on the strengths that have given them an edge this season.

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