The Florida Gators are pushing for their third national title in college basketball after beating the Tennessee Volunteers 86-77 to win the SEC Tournament. 

The Gators won national titles in men's college basketball in 2006 and 2007. 

Florida is the No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament's West Region and will play the No. 16 seeded Norfolk State Spartans on Friday in Raleigh, North Carolina. 

Last season was head coach Todd Golden's first NCAA Tournament appearance with Florida. He took the No. 7 seed Gators to the 1st Round, where they played the No. 10 seed Colorado Buffaloes and lost 102-100.

Florida ended the SEC Tournament in style, beating Tennessee in the final 86-77 on Sunday. Walter Clayton Jr. led the Gators with 22 points and also had five rebounds and two assists. 

Florida had an impressive regular season and entered the conference tournament as the No. 2 seed. The Gators entered the tournament with four losses, only losing to the No. 10 Kentucky Wildcats, Missouri Tigers, No. 8 Tennessee, and Georgia Bulldogs. 

The Gators' SEC Tournament journey started with the No. 7 seeded Missouri Tigers on Friday after securing a double bye. 

They handled business against the Tigers 95-81 and advanced to the next round, where the Gators played the No. 3 seeded Alabama Crimson Tide. 

Florida dismantled Mark Sears and the explosive Crimson Tide offense, winning 104-82. Sears averaged 18.7 points per game this season but was held to just nine points on Saturday. 

On Sunday, the Gators showcased how physical they can be against Tennessee. Florida outrebounded Tennessee 24-20 on defense and 15-5 on offense. 

Norfolk State won the MEAC Tournament with a close 66-65 win over South Carolina State. The Spartans have been to the NCAA Tournament three times in program history. Their last appearance was during the 2021-2022 season, when they lost in the first round. 

No time has been released for Florida's NCAA Tournament matchup yet.