RALEIGH, N.C. ― Alijah Martin has brought some offensive flash and an old school toughness on defense into his role as a starting guard with Florida basketbal l this season.

Now, the 6-foot-2 Martin will provide another critical role for the No. 1 seed Florida Gators (30-4) heading into their matchup with No. 16 seed Nortfolk State on Friday at the Lenovo Center (6:50 p.m., TNT) ― elder statesman.

No one on UF's roster has more NCAA Tournament experience than Martin, a grad transfer from Florida Atlantic who was part of FAU's Final Four run in 2023. Overall, Martin is taking part in his third NCAA Tournament and is 4-2 in March Madness games he's appeared in.

"Definitely blessed to be here for the third time," Martin said. "I want to just remind the guys to stay hungry, stay humble and don't take nobody lightly. Just have elite focus, and we'll be fine."

Martin made a seamless transition as the third starting guard this season with returning starters Will Richard and Walter Clayton Jr. for UF this season, ranking second on UF in scoring (14.5 ppg), assists (75) and steals (52).

"He's been a great influence," Florida junior guard Denzel Aberdeen said. "He's brought a positive energy ever since he first got here and he's brought a dog mentality on defense and offense."

The 210-pound Martin's physicality shows up on defense, where he regularly fights through screens to hound opposing ball handlers. As a former all-state dual-threat quarterback from Pike High School in Summitt, Miss., Martin isn't afraid of contact.

"He's very physical, a very strong guard," Aberdeen said. "I can definitely see his football takes part of his basketball as far as the physical aspect of it, him getting to the rim, him being aggressive and finishing plays you've seen it a lot this year and just his leadership mentality that he has brought to the team is very great to see this year."

Alijah Martin part of high-powered Florida basketball backcourt

Martin, Richard (13.6 ppg) and Clayton (17.5 ppg, 4.3 apg) form a high-powered backcourt that rivals any in a nation. Clayton became UF's first consensus first-team, All-American in program history, earning AP, USBWA and NABC first team All-American honors this week.

But Clayton and Richard have yet to win an NCAA Tournament. Richard is 0-1 after UF lost 102-100 in its opening round NCAA Tournament game to Colorado last year. Clayton is 0-2 having lost NCAA Tournament games while at Iona and UF, despite scoring 33 points for the Gators against Colorado last year.

"We had a little team get together earlier today, and that's what me and Will talked about, just not looking past any game," Clayton said. "Obviously. we haven't won a game in the tournament yet, so it's definitely going to mean a lot getting this first one."

"I was on my (Florida) visit from the portal when they played Kansas State. Madison Square Garden, right? I was on my visit there watching that," Clayton said. "Him having that experience, it's great to have him on our team, and I definitely remember the run."

Said Richard: " I was right there on the couch watching the game with him. We definitely watched their run. Just having Alijah and knowing his experience and what he can bring to a team like that, it's definitely important for us to have him here with us."