Okay, Florida fans, put on your Gator-colored classes.

It’s April 1. Florida has just beat Massachusetts. While the college basketball world fixates on the other Final Four, Florida quietly prepares for its last game - they are 40 minutes away from hoisting another banner in the O’Connell Center.

At the risk of looking ahead, let’s look at the potential finals matchups if UF does win.

#1: Florida vs. Ohio State

I’m not quite sure what to make of this. On the one hand, I’m supposed to be laughing until I fall over in my seat and hiccup uncontrollably. After all, they are “The” Ohio State University. The same Ohio State University that lost to Florida in football, Florida in basketball, and LSU in football again.

But on the other hand, I’m starting to get really sick and tired of seeing these guys *all* the time. There’s supposed to be parity, people! But then again, that means that I’m supposed to critize my own school for their national championship sandwich. Case closed.

The story lines are fairly obvious: In just 18 months, the Buckeyes have become the Buffalo Bills of college sports. Every single time, they win all the big games and appear to be set up for a national title. And every time, they end up falling apart miserably while the SEC shows why its initials could stand for “The Super Ego Conference” A win, even in the NIT, could finally silence their critics. But then again, maybe it won’t. What about the other big games?

#2: Florida vs. Ole Miss

Surprised? These are the same Rebels that beat Florida in the third game of the SEC season by a basket. At the time, the loss was just a bump in the road for 15-3 Florida, and the Gators went on to win their next three games. However, UF went 3-8 after that and proceeded to write its own rejection letter to the NCAA committee.

Much of the fascination will arise around David Huertas vs. Walter Hodge. For both, it’s their second trip to Madison Square Garden. Back then, they were on the same roster as Florida won the 2K sports Coaches vs. Cancer Classic. Both won a national championship with Florida. And both will aim for another ring on their finger.

The Rebs will look for a season sweep. The Gators will look to continue their winning ways.

Need motivation, Florida? Try these stats on for size:

*The Gators would become the first defending NCAA champion to win the NIT since City College of New York in 1950. Back then, they played in and won both tournaments. Since then, double-dipping has been disallowed so that this dominance would never happen again.

*The Gators would become the first team to win three straight nonconference postseason tournaments since the ‘67-’69 UCLA Bruins. That would make them only the second ever team in college basketball history to ever achieve the feat.

*By winning against UMass, the Gators would give Billy Donovan his first ever back-to-back-to-back 25-win seasons.

*The Gators would end the 2008 season on a high note, giving them momentum for ‘09.

Yeah, so there’s reason to take it seriously.

Tune in tomorrow when we put things back in perspective and look at the Minutemen close up.