All of this is unfamiliar.
The hype. The heightened expectations. The banner — 2017 National Champions — engraved into the backdrop of McKethan Stadium. And it should feel unfamiliar, because for Florida’s baseball team, it is.
The Gators won their first national title in their 106-year history last season, and entering 2018, the team carries the blessing and burden of being called defending champions as well as a preseason No. 1 ranking. But coach Kevin O’Sullivan, entering his 11th year as UF’s skipper, doesn’t believe his team will be defending anything when it opens at home Friday night against Siena at 6:30.