Florida Gators 2011-12 Men's College Basketball Schedule Is a Brutal One

The 2011-12 men's college basketball schedule is out for the Florida Gators. If they win 20 games again this year, they are a lead pipe lock for the NCAA tournament. This schedule is going to be one of the nation's toughest.

Thanks to GatorZone.com for providing it.

Thu, Nov. 3	Catholic University (Exh.)	Gainesville, Fla.	TBA
Fri, Nov. 11	Jackson State	Gainesville, Fla.	TBA
Tue, Nov. 15	Ohio State	Columbus, Ohio	TBA
Thu, Nov. 17	North Florida	Gainesville, Fla.	TBA
Mon, Nov. 21	Wright State	Tampa, Fla.	TBA
Fri, Nov. 25	Jacksonville	Gainesville, Fla.	TBA
Mon, Nov. 28	Stetson	Orlando, Fla.	TBA
Fri, Dec. 2	Syracuse	Syracuse, N.Y.	TBA
Wed, Dec. 7	Arizona	Gainesville, Fla.	TBA
Fri, Dec. 9	Rider	Jacksonville, Fla.	TBA
Sat, Dec. 17	Texas A&M	Sunrise, Fla.	TBA
Mon, Dec. 19	Mississippi Valley State	Gainesville, Fla.	TBA
Thu, Dec. 22	Florida State	Gainesville, Fla.	TBA
Thu, Dec. 29	Rutgers	Piscataway, N.J.	TBA
Sat, Dec. 31	Yale	Gainesville, Fla.	TBA
Tue, Jan. 3	UAB	Gainesville, Fla.	TBA

By my count, I see no fewer than six NCAA tournament locks in there. Ohio State and Syracuse will be on the road. Both of those schools will be competing for a very high seed with national title aspirations.

Another school thinking national title will be Arizona, who will be coming to Gainesville. Expect to see Texas A&M, Florida State and UAB in the Big Dance as well. Other teams that could be tough are Jacksonville, who beat Florida a year ago, Rutgers and Rider.

If the Gators can escape this part of the schedule with three or four losses, the RPI should be right up there with the best in the country. Then comes the SEC slate, which will include at least two games with Kentucky (last year there were three), Tennessee, Georgia and Vanderbilt.

By the time the postseason arrives, this Gators team will surely be battle tested. Hopefully, this will result in a high seed, but won't wear them out too much.