Fast reactions to Florida’s authoritative win over South Carolina
For the primary time on this convention season, Florida’s males’s basketball staff lastly had a recreation the place its followers may loosen up somewhat.
The Gators (now 12-8 and 5-3 within the SEC) destroyed South Carolina 81-60 for the Gators’ fifth win within the final six video games. There was no level the place followers had any worry when it got here to who was answerable for this one.
South Carolina is now 8-12 below new coach Lamont Paris and 1-6 within the SEC (with the one win coming at Rupp Enviornment, so go determine).
Florida placing what has been an elite protection in opposition to an offense that has struggled all yr and the consequence was considerably predictable.
What occurred
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports activities
The Gators began quick for the second recreation in a row and by no means let up, stifling a staff that ranked close to the underside of the SEC in each offensive class. Florida by no means trailed, led by eight on the half and dominated the second half regardless of lacking starter [autotag]Alex Fudge[/autotag] (concussion protocol) for the sport.
Florida led from the beginning and the Gators have been particularly environment friendly on the offensive finish, blowing the sport open within the second half and getting walk-ons into the sport with three minutes to play.
That was a far cry from all of the shut video games the Gators have performed within the convention.
Florida seemed like a staff prepared for the subsequent four-game run that’s on the horizon. The Gators had 5 gamers in double figures led by [autotag]Colin Castleton[/autotag]’s 18 factors.
What it means
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports activities
I prefer to name video games like this one in opposition to the Gamecocks much less of a “must-win” and extra of a “must-not-lose”. The Gators’ NET rating will possible drop after a win, as a result of South Carolina’s rating was so low. However at this level, you simply must win a recreation like this. Let’s face it, the season shall be outlined within the subsequent 4 video games. All of them are in opposition to groups within the high 35 of the NET, three of them on the street.
Participant of the Recreation: South Carolina
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports activities
Sure, GG Jackson goes to be an NBA participant and had 20 factors and 10 rebounds. However the freshman additionally went 7-for-18 from the ground. The man who gave Florida essentially the most bother when the sport was aggressive was heart Josh Grey, who completed with 11 factors and 13 rebounds.
Participant of the Recreation: Florida
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports activities
[autotag]Myreon Jones[/autotag] has been approaching lately and the sport Wednesday evening was an excellent instance. He was a depressing 3-for-10 from the sphere and didn’t make a 3. However he got here this near a triple-double with 9 factors, 10 rebounds and eight assists.
Contained in the numbers
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports activities
Florida had 21 assists — a season-high. Florida had 5 turnovers. It’s troublesome to lose video games with a plus-15 on turnover-to-assist ratio. Definitely, the opposition had one thing to do with it, however these Gators are taking part in at a stage we didn’t see early within the season.
He mentioned it
Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports activities
“I knew I used to be near (a triple-double) with about 12 minutes to go. That’s why I didn’t get it, as a result of I used to be centered on it.” — Myreon Jones
Subsequent up
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Florida performs an emotional recreation Saturday in opposition to Kansas State and [autotag]Keyontae Johnson[/autotag]. Johnson is averaging 18.3 factors a recreation for the fifth-ranked Wildcats who at the moment are 17-2 on the season. Johnson, in fact, performed for Florida earlier than collapsing in Tallahassee in 2020. The sport is a part of the SEC-Massive 12 Problem weekend and shall be on ESPN2. It’s one other first in a yr of firsts for Golden. Extra importantly, it’s one other shot at a Quad 1 win.
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