GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Alijah Martin, a guard for the Florida Gators, has firsthand experience with high rankings. Last December, while playing for Florida Atlantic, he helped his team reach the seventh spot in The Associated Press men’s college basketball poll, following an unprecedented run to the Final Four as a No. 9 seed. However, that top ranking did not last long, as the Owls suffered losses in two of their subsequent three games.

Now, having transferred to Florida, Martin is eager to avoid a repeat scenario. The Gators currently hold an unbeaten record and are ranked ninth— their highest position since 2019. They are set to play against Arizona State on Saturday in Atlanta during the Holiday Hoopsgiving event. Achieving a victory would enable them to start the season with a perfect 10-0 record for only the third time in the school’s history and the first since their championship run in 2005-06.

“The hardest part is that everyone’s performance gets exaggerated,” Martin explained. “Suddenly, a player who doesn’t shoot well can start making shots. It’s a challenge you have to confront because you know opponents are gunning for you.” So far, Florida has triumphed in all its games by a notable margin, with the closest call being a 13-point win at Florida State, where they maintained a lead of up to 18 points.

Under the guidance of coach Todd Golden, Florida has demonstrated a dominant form, averaging 24 points across their last five victories. This series includes a remarkable performance where they defeated Wichita State by 37 points in the ESPN Events Invitational finale and an 18-point win against Virginia at home. Virginia’s interim coach, Ron Sanchez, is impressed by Florida’s blend of experience and physicality, suggesting that they have the potential for a significant run in the NCAA Tournament.

Initially, advancing deep into the NCAA Tournament was Florida’s objective, but the pressure has escalated into expectation following their successful start. The Gators returned two out of three of their backcourt starters from the previous season—Walter Clayton and Will Richard—and welcomed Martin as a graduate transfer, who is seen as both a defensive asset and an additional scoring option. With the emergence of promising center Alex Condon and a solid bench, the Gators appear to possess their most talented roster since the 2014 team reached the Final Four.

“No matter how well we perform between now and March, it won’t bring us satisfaction,” emphasized coach Todd Golden, who is still awaiting results of a Title IX inquiry related to a serious complaint. “That’s the mentality we aim for. Winning every game is great, but our ultimate goal remains advancing far in the NCAA Tournament. While being 9-0 and ranked in the top 10 is encouraging, that is not our final destination.”

While Martin appreciates the chemistry among teammates, he believes it is not yet perfect, primarily due to the absence of any significant challenges thus far. The Gators have enjoyed good health and dominated their opponents. However, this trend may soon change, especially with a matchup against North Carolina on the horizon and a conference schedule that commences against No. 5 Kentucky in early January, followed by a showdown with top-ranked Tennessee at home.

Maintaining humility in the face of praise should be a priority for the Gators moving forward. “It’s tough to stay grounded when everyone is singing your praises,” Martin noted. “You can easily fall into a comfort zone. It’s essential to resist the urge to settle and to keep striving for improvement and hold ourselves accountable. Staying level-headed is crucial.”