(Photo credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)

Defending national champion Florida took close losses to TCU and top-15 foes Arizona, Duke and UConn during their challenging nonconference schedule.

Now, the No. 22 Gators (9-4) head into the grind of Southeastern Conference play. That gauntlet begins Saturday against Missouri (10-3) at Columbia, Mo.

'I think we're ready,' Florida coach Todd Golden said. 'I think we've been getting better. ... I think we're trending in the right direction. It's going to be a challenge going on the road to Missouri.

'But from where we were beginning the season, I think we've improved at this point. We need to continue getting better and striving for that full 40 (minute) game.'

The Gators have one of the country's elite frontcourts with forwards Thomas Haugh (16.7 points, 6.4 rebounds per game), Alex Condon (14.3 ppg, 8.9 rpg) and center Rueben Chinyelu (10.7 ppg, 10.9 rpg).

Florida has seen notable recent progress from guard Xaivian Lee (12.2 points, 3.5 assists per game), a Princeton transfer. He's averaged 18.4 points in his last five games.

'Xaivian has played a lot better over these last couple weeks compared to how he played earlier in the year,' Golden said.

Golden also praised the adaptation of guard Boogie Fland (11.4 points, 2.7 assists), who was a standout last season at Arkansas. Fland has 17 assists in his last four games.

'I thought Boog is getting more comfortable, getting to the rim, driving off those duck-ins, initiating the offense,' Golden said after the Gators dispatched Dartmouth 94-72 on Monday.

The depleted Tigers took a 91-48 beating from No. 20 Illinois in their last game, their 'Braggin' Rights' showdown on Dec. 22 in St. Louis. They were missing guard Jayden Stone (13.3 points) and forward Jevon Porter (6.2 points, 4.0 rebounds) due to injuries.

Also missing was forward Trent Pierce, who averaged 6.7 points last season. He has been sidelined all season by a persistent hip injury.

Stone (broken hand) and Porter (minor leg injury) could return for this game while Pierce's status remains cloudy. Missouri coach Dennis Gates believes those three players could give the Tigers better offensive spacing with their perimeter shooting.

'When you have Trent Pierce, Jayden Stone and Jevon Porter on the sidelines, it gives a different scouting report,' Missouri coach Dennis Gates said. ' ... At the end of the day, we just got to get healthy and get our full court on the team.'

Missouri is led by forwards Mark Mitchell (17.2 points, 5.8 rebounds) and Jacob Crews (13.9 points, 51.4% 3-point shooting). Anthony Robinson II (10.9 points, 3.4 assists, 2.3 steals) is the Tigers' lead guard.

Gates hopes to deepen his playing rotation as his team gets healthier.

'It'll give guys opportunities to get rest.' Gates said. 'It'll keep the guys that's on the court in those spurts able to compete at the highest level, versus taking a play off here and there because of fatigue. Not because they're trying to, but fatigue will get you foul trouble, will take away some aggression.'

--Field Level Media