The heralded showdown between the No. 8 Gators and No. 1 Tennessee never evolved into a barn-burner, which requires a degree of flammability from both parties. Instead, the Gators (14-1, 1-1 SEC) held the Vols to 12 field goals — and a 4-for-29 effort from 3-point range — in a 73-43 romp before an Exactech Arena crowd of 11,011.

While Florida is one of the country’s best offenses — No. 5 in Division I, scoring 88.3 points per game — Tennessee boasts one of the best defenses in the country, allowing just 55.9 points per game. That number is good for No. 2 across Division I.

The Florida Gators secured a historic victory on Tuesday, earning their first-ever home win against a top-ranked team by defeating 73-43. The dominant performance was fueled by an aggressive defense and a relentless effort on the offensive glass,

Alijah Martin scored 18 points, Denzel Aberdeen added 16 and No. 8 Florida controlled the game from the outset while steamrolling top-ranked Tennessee 73-43 on Tuesday night in Southeastern Conference play at Gainesville, Fla.

Florida dropped three spots to No. 8 in the updated Coaches Poll released Monday after suffering its first loss to Kentucky. The Gators entered last weekend as one of three unbeaten teams remaining before losing to the Wildcats 106-100 in the SEC opener for both teams.

The Florida Gators suffered their first loss of the season last weekend with a 106-100 defeat at the hands of the Kentucky Wildcats. Despite falling on the road, Todd Golden’s team ranked eighth in the most recent AP Poll.