For a defense-first coach like Todd Golden, Florida’s 94th ranked finish in KenPom’s adjusted defensive efficiency metric last year was somewhere between a constant frustration and a full on embarrassment. Golden has always built his team from the defensive side first, but he went away from it with last year’s portal additions, instead going for offensive firepower that can hang with the gunners of the SEC. However, after last season’s inability to get stops, Florida’s staff entered the offseason determined to get better defensively and that started with talent acquisition from the transfer portal.
Enter Alijah Martin.
Martin was Florida’s top target the moment he entered the portal from Florida Atlantic, a team put on the national radar after making a Final Four in large part due to Martin’s efforts on the wing.