Florida basketball returns home for its regular-season finale against Ole Miss on Saturday at the O'Connell Center (6 p.m., SEC Network), in position to earn a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.

The No. 5 Florida Gators (26-4, 13-4) clinched the second seed and a double bye in the SEC Tournament with its 99-94 win at No. 8 Alabama, providing another boost to its NCAA Tournament resume less than two weeks from Selection Sunday.

Florida coach Todd Golden said UF cannot afford a letdown after an emotional road win. The Gators have showed their teeth at home all season, going 14-1 in Gainesville this season and 28-2 over the last two seasons.

"We’re in the driver’s seat for a 1-seed right now, but losing tomorrow will make it murky again and we have to do everything we can not to allow that to happen," Golden said. "We win tomorrow; I think we’re in really good shape."

Ole Miss (21-9, 10-7), under second-year coach Chris Beard, pulled off an upset win at Alabama earlier this season and is coming off a 78-76 home win over No. 4 Tennessee on Wednesday.

"If we lose tomorrow night, a lot of the good equity that we've built up will be forgotten," Golden said. "I think our team has been pretty good that way where we show up and bring a workmanlike approach. The good thing for us is we still have a lot to play for."

How will Florida basketball's backcourt trio handle the emotions of pregame Senior Day ceremonies?

Florida starting guards Walter Clayton Jr., Alijah Martin and Will Richard will be honored in pregame Senior Day ceremonies, along with walk-on guard Bennett Anderson. The backcourt trio, considered by some the best in the country , has combined to average 44.9 points per season.

The 6-foot-2 Martin, a grad transfer from Florida Atlantic, has fit in seamlessly with Richard and Clayton, who are returning starters and transfers from Belmont and Iona, respectively.

"We're all underdogs," Martin said. "We're all, quote unquote, weren't supposed to be here. But it just shows you that you just put your head down, you work, and you put God first, you could be anywhere you want to be."

Clayton's 1,127 points over two seasons at UF are the third-most by a Gator over two seasons in program history, trailing only Neal Walk (1,312 points) and Nick Calathes (1,170 points), who both went on to play in the NBA.

"We've been able to add some program changers, and I'd put Walt right at the top of that list," Golden said. "Getting him to come home, come back and play for the Gators was obviously a huge, huge addition to our program and he's just been an elite player since he's been here."

Can Florida basketball match the ferocity on the boards it showed against Alabama?

The return of sophomore forward Alex Condon to the starting lineup sparked a dominant effort on the boards for Florida against Alabama. The Gators outrebounded the Tide 50-35, grabbing 16 offensive rebounds. The 6-11 Condon led the way with 27 points and 10 rebounds, posting his sixth double-double of the season. Starting center Reuben Chinyelu had nine points and a team-high 11 rebounds.

"We did a great job on the glass," Golden said. "We executed the little, winning things that you have to do to go on the road and be an elite team like Alabama. So that was another step in the right direction and got to make sure we finish the regular season the right way tomorrow night."

Ole Miss starts four guards and is minus-4.2 on the glass this season, compared to Florida being plus-8.3.

"They’re a team that struggles a little rebounding-wise, which is more a function of them being undersized because they’re a really tough team and incredibly well coached," Golden said. "But we have to create second-chance opportunities like we’ve done all year."

How will Florida basketball defend a balanced Ole Miss attack?

All five Ole Miss starters average double figures in scoring, led by senior point guard Sean Pedulla (14.9 ppg, 3.8 apg), a transfer from Virginia Tech. Senior guards Matthew Murrell (11.0 ppg) and Jaylen Murray (10.3 ppg, 39.3% from 3-point range) are dangerous perimeter players capable of getting on a roll.

"Pedulla has had a great year," Golden said. "Murray is a talent, a guy that can make shots. Murrell is a very, very good player. So they're deep, you know, they got, Dre Davis is having a good year, like, they have weapons. They have multiple guys that can hurt you. So again, it's always the case, we got to defend, we got to rebound. We do those things, we're going to give ourselves, you know, a good chance."

Prediction

Florida 82, Ole Miss 69: The Gators will ride the emotion of a Senior Day crowd to another double-digit win and finish the regular season 15-1 at home. Look for Florida to dominate the glass again and for Condon to build off his performance against Alabama as he continues to get healthier off a sprained ankle.