Which was an aberration: Top-seeded Florida's close NCAA opener or 9th-seeded Pitt's drubbing?
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}There's a chance that either Florida's lackluster performance or Pittsburgh's dominant showing was an aberration.
Maybe even both.
The top-seeded Gators (33-2) and ninth-seeded Panthers (26-9) likely will find out when they meet in the third round of the NCAA tournament's South Regional on Saturday.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Florida hopes to play with more energy and intensity than it did in a 12-point win over 16th-seeded Albany. Pittsburgh wants to carry over something — everything, really — from its 29-point drubbing of eighth-seeded Colorado.
Florida guard Scottie Wilbekin says, "we're ready to play like we know we can."
Had it not been for a 4-minute stretch midway through the second half, Florida might have ended up being the biggest upset victim in NCAA tournament history.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}No one will remember that game if the Gators advance. The same goes for Pitt, which led start to finish against the Buffaloes.