A few thoughts to jump start your Thursday morning:

The Florida Gators have already signed a strong 2024 class of high school prospects, but that does not mean that Billy Napier and his staff are done pursuing talent to join the team ahead of next season.

There was no joy in Mudville or anywhere that Gators gather to discuss the state of University of Florida football on that solemn January 2 day in 2015. The night before in the SuperDome in New Orleans, that same Alabama team that ripped Will Muschamp and the Gators a new one back in September (42-21) lost to Ohio State in the semifinals of the first College Football Playoff.

A few thoughts to jump start your Tuesday morning:

A big week of conference play ramps up on this week for both the Men’s and Women’s basketball teams

With 10 wins prior to January 1 for the first time since the 2016-17 season and a 6-game winning streak, the Florida Gators are being projected as an NCAA Tournament team by bracketologists Joe Lunardi of ESPN and Jerry Palm of CBS Sports. While acknowledging that the Gators are playing well heading into their first Southeastern Conference game next Saturday against Kentucky (12:30 p.m., Stephen C. O’Connell Center, ESPN), Todd Golden knows his team still has a way to go to reach their potential. “It’s a lot of new guys playing together, right,” Golden said Saturday after the Gators ran their record to 10-3 with a 97-72 blowout of Quinnipiac (9-4) at the O-Dome. “We only had two guys that really played last year that returned, and everybody that’s in the program has a different role than last year, and everybody that’s new to the program has a different role than they had in their last spot, so it’s going to take a little bit to get to our potential, but I do feel like we’re slowly getting there.” Playing for the first time since a win over Grambling prior to Christmas, the Gators shot well (35-68, 51.5 percent) overall and from the 3-point line (10-26, 38.5 percent) while turning in one of their better defensive efforts of the season. Quinnipiac hit only 33.3 percent (25-75) overall and 22.7 percent (5-22) from the 3-point line. Although the Gators have had several games this season when they haven’t shot the ball all that well, they’ve consistently put points on the scoreboard. They’re averaging 86.3 per game through their first 13 and 99.7 over their last three. In the last three games, the Gators have 63 assists and 39 turnovers. “You know, our ball-screen defense has improved quite a bit,” Golden said. “I think that’s one area that has really improved, and then offensively we’re just moving the ball really well.” Saturday, the Gators heated up early, a first half in which they hung 52 on Quinnipiac. Taking the lead for good on a 3-pointer by Zyon Pullin with 17:17 left in the first half, the offense ran so smoothly in the first half that the Gators hit 9-18 from the 3-point line to go with nine dunks. Will Richard, who has averaged 17.4 points in the last five games, went 4-7 on 3-pointers in the first half and finished 5-9 from distance for the second straight game. He finished with a season-high 22 points, Pullin hit 3-4 on his 3-pointers, all in a first half in which he scored all 16 of his points. With Richard and Pullin leading the way, the Gators had five players in double figures for the third straight game. Walter Clayton Jr. scored 12, Tyrese Samuel 11 and Riley Kugel 10. Samuel posted his third straight double-double with 10 rebounds to go with his 11 points. It was his fourth double-double in Florida’s last five games. Freshman Alex Condon grabbed nine rebounds while Micah Handlogten had eight and freshman Thomas Haugh had seven to go with his eight points off the bench. Following a 3-day break for Christmas, the Gators regrouped and turned in some of their better practices of the year in preparation for Quinnipiac. “I was really, really pleased with how we practiced the last three days going into this game,” Golden said. “We’ve played at a high level in some of our games, but we’ve also played not at our best in some games. I think consistency is something we’ve been looking for and tried to make sure we’ve improved in that way. We obviously played really, really good against Grambling [on December 22], then we came back and we had really, really good practices the last three days. “As a coach that gives you confidence that you can go out and perform well, but that’s the next step for this team: To make sure when we’re out there practicing and competing at a high level that we understand that’s what’s going to prepare us for the games. We’re not going to be able to just show up and go out and hoop against Kentucky. We got to make sure we have a great week of practice that can prepare us to be ready to go against those guys.” Kentucky will come to the O-Dome ranked top ten nationally so it will be an opportunity for the Gators to showcase their improvement since back-to-back losses to Baylor and Wake Forest back in November. “I think we got a full week to prepare for Kentucky, which is great, but we’re about as ready as we can be,” Golden said. “I think we did a good job of navigating this non-conference schedule, a lot of neutral games, just not in our home gym as much as a lot of other high-major teams were and we gutted out some tough games in December, first time undefeated month since 2021, right, and that’s the only other time since the 2014 team that rallied 30 in a row or something like that. So, big time for us to kind of hit that milestone and our guys are coming together. I feel like there’s a lot of joy in that locker room right now, guys happy for each other’s success, and I know they are excited for conference play to start.” SEC basketball Saturday’s scores: FLORIDA (10-3) 97, Quinnipiac (9-4) 72; South Carolina (12-1) 94, Florida A&M (2-9) 62; Alabama (8-5) 101, Liberty (10-4) 56; Georgia (10-3) 93, Alabama A&M (1-12) 73; Missouri (8-5) 92, Central Arkansas (3-12) 59; Vanderbilt (5-8) 69, Dartmouth (4-9) 53; Arkansas (9-4) 106, UNC-Wilmington (9-3) 90; Texas A&M (9-4) 79, Prairie View A&M (5-8) 54; Auburn (10-2) 101, Chattanooga (8-5) 66 Tuesday’s games: Norfolk State (9-6) at No. 6 Tennessee (9-3); Pennsylvania (8-6) at Auburn (10-2) Saturday, January 6 games: No. 8 Kentucky (10-2) at FLORIDA (10-3); Mississippi State (10-2) at South Carolina (12-1); Georgia (10-3) at Missouri (8-5); Auburn (10-2) at Arkansas (9-4); Alabama (8-5) at Vanderbilt (5-8); No. 24 Ole Miss (12-0) at No. 6 Tennessee (9-3); LSU (8-5) at Texas A&M (9-4) SEC in kenpom.com rankings: 5. Alabama (8-5); 7. Tennessee (9-3); 8. Auburn (10-2); 18. Kentucky (10-2); 23. Texas A&M (9-4); 31. Mississippi State (10-2); 34. FLORIDA (10-3); 60. South Carolina (12-1); 62. Arkansas (9-4); 82. Ole Miss (12-0); 85. Georgia (10-3); 90. Missouri (8-5); 102. LSU (8-5); 209. Vanderbilt (5-8) SEC in NCAA Net Rankings (through Friday, December 29): 7. Tennessee; 10. Alabama; 18. Texas A&M; 23. Kentucky; 24. Auburn; 33. Mississippi State; 44. South Carolina; 52. FLORIDA; 60. Ole Miss; 97. Georgia; 98. Arkansas; 108. Missouri. 141. LSU; 280. Vanderbilt

Gainesville, FLA The University of Florida has made a pivotal move in enhancing their football program by welcoming Craig Fitzgerald as the new Director of Football Performance. This strategic appointment is set to invigorate the Gators' strength and conditioning efforts. Background and Experience: Fitzgerald comes to Gainesville with a robust background, notably from his recent role with the New York Giants and a significant tenure at the University of Tennessee. His expertise in sports performance has been recognized across various levels of football, making him a valuable asset for the Gators. Strategic Hiring: Fitzgerald's appointment is seen as a major coup for the University of Florida. Known for his ability to elevate players' physical conditions and performance, his leadership is anticipated to bring about a new era of excellence and competitiveness to the Gators' football program. Community and Leadership: Florida's Head Coach Billy Napier has expressed enthusiasm about bringing Fitzgerald and his family into the Gators community. The warm welcome extends beyond the field, reflecting the importance of family and community in the program's values. Endorsement by Steve Spurrier: The commendation from legendary coach Steve Spurrier highlights Fitzgerald's respected status in the football world. His proven approach to strength and conditioning is expected to bring innovative methods and successful strategies to the Gators. Future Outlook: With Fitzgerald at the helm of the football performance department, the Gators are poised for a transformative journey. His track record of enhancing team performance and developing players is a beacon of hope for future success. Craig Fitzgerald's arrival marks an exciting chapter for the University of Florida's football program. His renowned expertise and forward-thinking approach are set to propel the Gators into a new era of athletic excellence.

Watch Urban Meyer, Buddy Martin and Brenden Martin talk CFB Bowl games, the challenges Billy Napier is up against, the shocking departure of Etienne and more on this weeks podcast of The Best Fridays in Football.