Florida Gators’ Carlin Hartman on Coaching, Recruiting & Being a National Champion!
Take a deep dive into Florida Gatorsbasketball with Associate Head Coach Carlin Hartman, one of the most respected minds in college hoops. In this exclusive interview, Hartman shares his journey from standout player at Tulane to coaching elite big men across the country—and now helping lead the resurgence of Gators basketball in the SEC. With decades of experience at programs like Oklahoma, Columbia, UNLV, and now Florida, Coach Hartman unpacks his approach to recruiting, player development, and building a winning culture. He highlights how the Gators’ frontcourt became one of the most dominant in the country, thanks to players…

2025 ACC/SEC Challenge: Ranking all 16 matchups, predicting winners as Duke vs. Florida headlines slate

The 2025 ACC/SEC Challenge presents a critical opportunity for the ACC to redeem itself after a dismal 2024 tournament, where it could only secure two victories. This year, the conference aims to improve as new coaching energy invigorates teams like Florida State, Virginia, NC State, and Miami. The event highlights marquee matchups, including Duke versus reigning national champions Florida, which showcases promising rookie talent against established teams. Last year, the SEC thrived with 14 teams making the NCAA Tournament, including national champs Florida and Final Four team Auburn, setting a high bar for this year’s challenge. All eyes will be on how well the ACC teams can compete this time around.

By the Numbers

• ACC teams ended the previous challenge with a 2-14 record.
• SEC placed 14 of 16 teams in the NCAA Tournament, marking a historical achievement.

State of Play

• The ACC will introduce several new head coaches as it seeks a turnaround.
• Duke and Florida are heavily favored, with Duke currently having 13/1 odds to win the 2026 NCAA Tournament.
• The SEC teams are carrying strong momentum after a successful previous season.

What’s Next

The outcome of the 2025 Challenge could set the tone for the ACC’s performance in the upcoming NCAA Tournament, affecting future recruiting and coaching dynamics. As matchups unfold, the ability of first-year coaches to lead their teams to success will be closely analyzed, potentially reshaping conference power dynamics moving forward.

Bottom Line

The ACC must capitalize on its new coaching roster and improved team dynamics to reclaim competitive standing against the SEC. A strong performance in this challenge is essential to rebuild confidence and aim for greater success in the national tournament.