Todd Golden reveals the KEYS to Florida winning its second title in three years

Florida head coach Todd Golden sits down with Jon Rothstein to discuss all things Gators for the 2026-27 season, as well as reflecting on last season and the NCAA tournament loss to Iowa.

Additionally, they discuss which players could impact Florida the most this season and why there's no awkwardness with Denzel Aberdeen's return.

0:00 Intro & The Golden’s vacation destination for 2026
0:28 On this being the first offseason he’s had to gather himself
0:58 What he’s learned to help make Florida an elite program again
2:05 Does the Iowa loss usurp the loss to Colorado in the NCAA tournament?
3:10 On remembering last season’s success but also NCAA tournament loss to Iowa
4:20 What it was like to watch the Final Four after winning the natty the year prior
5:04 On being a head coach in the current CBB climate
6:00 What Denzel Aberdeen adds to Florida if deemed eligible
7:17 Was there any awkwardness in the reunion with Denzel?
8:04 The biggest reason Florida is able to retain players in the current CBB climate
9:59 How this year’s team compares to the previous two Florida squads
11:01 Which returners will make the biggest impact for Florida?
12:04 Depth of Florida’s rotation this season
12:30 Where does Alex Condon fit within this Gators squad?
14:17 Todd Golden thinks the SEC will return to being the best league in America
15:14 What it will be like getting to host Duke in Gainesville
16:31 Does he have any interest in coaching in the NBA?
17:51 Why having success at Florida makes it harder to leave
18:45 How Todd’s relationship with Billy Donovan has grown
20:09 How Billy helped him understand the Florida fanbase, expectations
21:09 On knowing his team will be defined by what happens in March Madness
22:33 How often does he think about winning a second national championship?
23:21 Keys for Florida to win its second national title in three years

🎥 WATCH
• .youtube.com/@CBSSportsCBB
• Watch CBS Sports HQ: cbssports.com/live
• Watch CBS Sports Network on your TV or the CBS Sports App with your cable provider

🎧 LISTEN
• Stream and follow Eye on College Basketball & leave a 5⭐️ rating on Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/2vk8wq9lunf3agEif1kM8T
• Download and follow Eye on College Basketball & leave a 5⭐️ rating on Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/eye-on-college-basketball/id268800565
• Stream and follow Inside College Basketball Now with Jon Rothstein & leave a 5⭐️ rating on Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/3t03SRmmslKzdQ5AtGlXiM
• Download and follow Inside College Basketball Now & leave a 5⭐️ rating on Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-college-basketball-now/id1823022867

📱FOLLOW
• Twitter: twitter.com/EyeOnCBBPodcast
• Instagram: instagram.com/cbssportscbb
• TikTok: tiktok.com/@cbssportscbb

▶︎Gary Parrish: twitter.com/GaryParrishCBS
▶︎Matt Norlander: twitter.com/MattNorlander
▶︎Jon Rothstein: x.com/JonRothstein

📖 READ
• More college basketball news: cbssports.com/college-basketball

🛍️SUPPORT
• Shop our merch: paramountshop.com/collections/eye-on-college-basketball

💵BETTING
• For everything CBS Sports Betting: cbssports.com/betting
• Find the best sportsbooks: cbssports.com/betting/news/best-betting-apps
• Get the latest sportsbook promos: cbssports.com/betting/news/sportsbook-promos

🎙ABOUT EYE ON COLLEGE BASKETBALL
CBS Sports’ official college basketball podcast is the most entertaining and informative of its kind. Gary Parrish and Matt Norlander bring the sport into your ears at least three times per week with commentary, reporting, insider information and statistical analysis throughout college basketball all year long.

🎙ABOUT INSIDE COLLEGE BASKETBALL NOW
We're also the home for Inside College Basketball Now, hosted by Jon Rothstein. Known for his unmatched insider knowledge, bold takes, and relentless coverage, Rothstein goes deep to deliver what’s really happening in college hoops. From breaking down the biggest storylines to in-depth interviews with the top coaches in the country, this podcast is your all-access pass to the pulse of the game — 365 days a year. This. Is. March… and everything in between.