Gators’ bubble bursts in heartbreaking loss to Texas A&M

Mike White shouts instructions against Vanderbilt on Jan. 22, 2022. GatorCountry photo by David Bowie.With a .500 conference record, just two wins in Quadrant 1 games and an NCAA Evaluation Tool ranking in the 50s, the Gators entered the SEC Tournament squarely on the wrong side of the NCAA Tournament bubble.

ESPN’s Joe Lunardi, who is usually pretty spot-on with his projections, had them among the next four teams out.

So, they needed to go on a deep run in Tampa to have a chance to earn an at-large bid.

Instead, the Gators’ bubble was busted in the most heart-wrenching way possible. After they battled back from 10 points down with three minutes to go in regulation, Texas A&M’s Hassan Diarra…