The Florida Gators’ journey across the U.S. had a bump earlier this week. Todd Golden, the team’s coach, attempted to book a table at Original Joe’s, his cherished dining spot in San Francisco, but faced disappointment. The challenge of accommodating 17 players, six coaches, and over a dozen managers and support staff proved too great.
“They’re fully booked. I tried my best,” Golden explained, noting the team might end up opting for takeout from the well-loved Italian-American spot. “We’ll sort something out,” he added with confidence.
Golden, at 39, is hopeful that the remainder of Florida’s visit to Northern California will be smoother, culminating in a joyous occasion as they aim for the team’s first trip to the Final Four in over ten years. The team faces Maryland, a fourth seed with a 27-8 record, this Thursday at the Chase Center in the Sweet 16 round. This trip is particularly notable for Golden, having played his college basketball at Saint Mary’s College from 2004 to 2008 and subsequently coaching at San Francisco from 2016 to 2022, both roles bringing him back to the Bay Area.
“It’s a whirlwind. It’s a lot,” he shared, as his phone has barely stopped buzzing after Florida’s victory over the reigning national champs, UConn. Friends and family have swamped Golden with calls and requests, some seeking game tickets and others hoping for some rare spare time with him before this crucial matchup of the season.
“I have a lot of friends asking, ‘Can we grab a quick coffee?’ Well, I do have time, just not for ‘six different ten-minute’ coffee breaks,” Golden humorously remarked. “The grand idea sounds amazing, but realistically, there’s not a lot I can fit in.”
However, Golden has a strategy. He’s inviting those near and dear to witness the Gators’ practice on Tuesday or their walkthrough on Wednesday at War Memorial Gym on the San Francisco campus. The team planned to leave Gainesville early Tuesday, strategically exploiting the time zone change to get in practice on the West Coast.
“Being able to return will be incredible,” Golden expressed. “I’m making an effort to savor the experience.” Improving their game would certainly enhance that enjoyment.
Florida faced Norfolk State to start off their NCAA Tournament and led 51-19 in just the first 15 minutes, only for the Spartans to rally and outscore Florida for the remainder of the game. In their following match against UConn, the Gators were six points behind midway through the second half but ultimately overtook the Huskies with a narrow 77-75 win in Raleigh, North Carolina.
“It felt like a relief off our team’s shoulders,” Golden acknowledged. “We clinched the No. 1 seed and had a solid start against Norfolk but then just sort of eased off. There was immense pressure in the UConn game. Sure, we had a stellar season, but missing out on winning would’ve been disappointing after 31 victories. That’s the kind of strain a top seed bears, the pressure of reviving a program’s golden era. Everyone felt it, especially in those early stages of the game.”
Golden observed that his players seemed tense at the start, leading to pressing actions and uncommon slip-ups. Fortunately, All-American guard Walter Clayton Jr., along with Alijah Martin and Thomas Haugh, salvaged the game with some clutch moves during the final minutes.
“That win was vital, and now we can loosen up a bit this week,” Golden stated optimistically, even if a visit to Joe’s remains off the table.