Billy Donovan has spent most of this season trying to convince us not to buy into any hype surrounding his team.
Until recently, I agreed with him.
UF rose to No. 20 in the Associated Press Poll Monday after demolishing then-No. 14 Vanderbilt on Sunday
It is a well-deserved honor.
Granted, the last time the Gators were ranked (No. 25 in November), Florida State slapped them around at home, but I've seen something different from this team lately.
They were supposed to be inconsistent and easily rattled because that's just how young teams are. Right?
Actually, they've been pretty solid.
The areas in which you'd expect an inexperienced team to struggle haven't exactly plagued UF.
The Gators are No. 6 in the country in shooting percentage (50.2 percent) and ranked in the top 25 in turnovers, fouls and assists. All of those are categories where young teams usually have difficulties.
Part of those successes are due to a non-conference schedule that would make even a Big Ten football team blush, but six games into the Southeastern Conference slate, UF is starting to turn heads and making me think it can contend for the conference title.
The Gators are 5-1 in the SEC, with the only loss a 2-point game at then-No. 18 Mississippi. Wins over Vanderbilt and Kentucky at home were impressive, and a road victory against an Alabama team that was supposed to bully them said a lot for the team's toughness.
Freshman Nick Calathes has yet to wilt under the pressure of being the squad's best offensive weapon, and Marreese Speights has had the proverbial fire lit beneath him recently as he becomes a threat down low.
All of this is subject to change of course, as UF still has to face No. 7 Tennessee twice and travel to Vanderbilt and Kentucky, but it's at least clear that the Gators have the ability to make a run in the postseason.
They've advanced out of the question-mark phase, so let's drop that "baby Gators" label because UF has proven it can play more than just a few competitive games.
Next Tuesday, the Gators will take on the Volunteers in Knoxville, and I won't be shocked if they come out with a win.
If they do, even Donovan may have to believe the hype.
