But the Gators (20-5, 9-2 SEC) may end up without the services of senior forward Chandler Parsons for their next matchup, Sunday at LSU.
Parsons remains hobbled with a deep thigh bruise he suffered while colliding with teammate Alex Tyus going for a rebound Saturday against Tennessee.
"I would say I don't expect him in practice until at least Thursday, possibly Friday," Florida coach Billy Donovan said. "It's a deep thigh bruise. He's got some bleeding internally. He's on crutches right now. We'll see how well he responds to treatment."
Losing Parsons for any extended period of time would be a blow to the Gators. Florida climbed to No. 14 in The Associated Press poll this week, up three spots from No. 17 last week. In the ESPN/USA Today Coaches poll, the Gators moved up from No. 19 to No. 15.
The 6-foot-10 Parsons had a string of six straight games reaching double-figures in rebounds snapped Saturday against Tennessee. Parsons is averaging 10.8 points per game and ranks fourth in the SEC in rebounding at 7.7 rpg.
"It's a shame because he was playing at a really high level for us the last couple of weeks," Donovan said.
Florida does have the luxury of a bye this week to get Parsons and other banged-up players healthy for a difficult stretch run. After LSU, Florida's final four regular season games will include Georgia and SEC West-leading Alabama at home, and road games against Vanderbilt and Kentucky.
Florida, two-and-a-half games ahead of Vanderbilt and Georgia in the SEC East, is going for its sixth division crown in school history and first since 2007.
"It’s a process with our guys, a process that I’m excited about because these guys have never been in a situation like this," Donovan said. "No one on our team has ever been in a situation like this, where you're playing for first place, you're playing for a league championship. You're in the middle of it right now. They are starting to understand what it’s all about."
Donovan said practices early this week will focus on cleaning up team weaknesses before Florida turns its focus to LSU. The Tigers (10-15, 2-8 SEC) are tied with Auburn for the worst record in the SEC.
"We've got some guys banged up, but I also think as a team you get into a rhythm of playing twice a week," Donovan said. "Having this week gives us a little breather, but we have to focus on getting better."
