From Andy Katz:

The reason the Gators will win the title is because of their kinship. Sure, there have been plenty of other tight teams, but in the past 17 years, I don't remember seeing one this enmeshed.

This team has had curveballs thrown at it, and has dealt with adversity, but the Gators never changed their attitude, nor has there been any hint of division. They have been in the fishbowl all year, everyone poking at the glass, waiting for them to sink, and they never did. They still won 29 games, more than they had at this time a year ago, and earned the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament.

. . . They share similar beliefs, even some political ones that please Noah's passionate views of peace and spiritual strength. . . . Donovan has told me on numerous occasions how he hasn't had to deal with any internal issues. There simply isn't a locker room problem. Sure, there are egos. Every team has them. But they don't become obstructive.

. . . Which team has shared so much, has players who have given up so many millions to be with each other again? Which team has players who are more comfortable with each other than this core group of guys, who spent countless hours together not just practicing and playing basketball but also discussing music, politics and food?

The Gators' staff doesn't believe it has the nation's best players on an individual basis. It knows that if this tournament were a series of one-on-one games, the Gators likely would lose. But the beauty of this bunch is that there really isn't one guy, one player, who is above another.

This is a championship team. The Gators have an instinctual ability to turn it up when need be, when the scent of blood is in the air. They have won 12 consecutive postseason games. They lead the nation in field goal percentage, and the starting five all average within 2.2 shots of each other.

. . . Maybe it is because every one of the starters has other interests, and they're not so consumed by winning a title that it suffocates their personalities and intensifies the pressure.

. . . Well, the Gators are here again, and they're even more intriguing, interesting and mature -- not just as players but as people. And that's just as good a reason to take them as any stat that favors them.