The Gators secured a signature victory of both their 2023-24 season and Todd Golden's tenure as their head coach on Wednesday night, as Florida toppled No. 10 Kentucky on the road and in overtime to achieve the program's first Quad-1 win of the campaign, 94-91.
Florida fans, players and coaches of the past and present from multiple sports, media members and others set social media ablaze with reactions to the Gators' triumph in its immediate aftermath.
GATORS. DUB. AT. RUPP.#GoGators | Presented by @WellsFargo pic.twitter.com/D7tydsokNJ
— Florida Gators Men’s Basketball (@GatorsMBK) February 1, 2024
Florida's post-game social media edit, and the enthusiasm of the players pictured on UF's bench during the matchup, says it all.
In case you missed it...
WALTER CLAYTON JR. SENDS IT TO OVERTIME @GatorsMBK pic.twitter.com/ljMbdlYU6Y
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) February 1, 2024
...Walter Clayton Jr. came up clutch when Florida needed it most, sending the game to overtime by sinking a three-point shot off of a pump-fake as the game clock fell under five seconds remaining. He scored another five points in the final period.
Clayton took to social media after the game via Florida Men's Baksteball's "X" account with the following message:
Words from @w1clayton pic.twitter.com/SOdBxwezfk
— Florida Gators Men’s Basketball (@GatorsMBK) February 1, 2024
"What's up Gator Nation. Man, we're coming home with a dub," Clayton said. "Got to keep it rolling, man. Let's do it."
Fellow Gators guards, Riley Kugel and Will Richard , also expressed their excitement.
Get back https://t.co/VzM0uYoUNR
— Riley Kugel (@RileyKugel) February 1, 2024
One Band One Sound !
— Will Richard (@willrxch) February 1, 2024
FLORIDA GRABS THE WIN IN LEXINGTON
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) February 1, 2024
The Gators close out No. 10 Kentucky to hand the Wildcats their second loss in three games pic.twitter.com/mQ0OdolRMG
If Florida is to earn a spot in the 2024 NCAA Tournament after missing out on postseason action the previous two years, its Wednesday night win at Kentucky will be a big reason why. The official March Madness "X" account lent credence to the idea by recognizing the upset victory following its conclusion.
Cal: "This stinks, folks."
— Jack Pilgrim (@JackPilgrimKSR) February 1, 2024
Wildcats coach John Calipari kept his feelings about Kentucky's home loss to Florida short and sweet: "This stinks, folks," he said after the game.
Members of the media such as national college basketball reporters Jon Rothstein and Dick Vitale, All Gators' very own Brandon Carroll, and others offered the Gators props for their prevailing over the ranked Wildcats.
"Far and away the biggest win of the Todd Golden era," Rothstein wrote.
Florida just got the type of win that will get it into the NCAA Tournament on Selection Sunday. Gators over Kentucky at Rupp Arena. Far and away the biggest win of the Todd Golden era.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) February 1, 2024
It's hard to win in Rupp Arena. Tonight is just Florida's 12th-ever victory in 67 tries against the 'Cats in Lexington.
— Brandon Carroll (@itsbcarroll) February 1, 2024
What a statement for Todd Golden and the #Gators. https://t.co/xvOTgp4dT6
My VBDI TEAM OF THE
— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) February 1, 2024
NIGHT is FLORIDA as the @GatorsMBK in overtime at Rupp Arena beat @Kentucky MBB 94-91for their 1st Quad 1 win .
Florida beats No. 10 Kentucky! pic.twitter.com/4mVanlH3MO
— The Field of 68 (@TheFieldOf68) February 1, 2024
Florida jumps up from No. 36 to No. 32 in KenPom after its win over Kentucky.
— Jacob Rudner (@JacobRudner) February 1, 2024
It's 14-0 against Quad 2-4 opponents and 1-6 against Q 1 after tonight's game. Huge win for a team on the bubble.
Among Florida faithful who shared their immediate joy after the win were former players Patric Young and Will Yeguete, as well as current UF football players and staff members.
Soaking in the elation, Florida basketball creative media also posted a second graphic in honor of the win.
UK IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/ocrd43GNsb
— Florida Gators Men’s Basketball (@GatorsMBK) February 1, 2024
Last year Gators beat top ranked Tennessee on my Bday. Today they get the cats on the road LFG!!!!!!!!
— Patric Young (@PatricYoung4) February 1, 2024
What a win!!!! It’s great to be! https://t.co/vHHKYrfga4
— Bri Wade (@briazjawade) February 1, 2024
Glad I stayed up for this game! I had a feeling! Great win @GatorsMBK ! Great way to fight down the stretch and stay poised! Well done, it was fun watching you guys play!
— Will Yeguete (@Will15Yeguete) February 1, 2024
#GoGators#RoadWin
— Gerald Chatman (@CoachGChatman) February 1, 2024
Yessirskiiii https://t.co/lk1GtC2boU
— Kelby Collins (@kelby_collins) February 1, 2024
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