AT THE BUZZER
WEST VIRGINIA 84, FLORIDA 55
WHAT HAPPENED: Forward Tre Mitchell scored 17 factors and grabbed eight rebounds, guard Erik Stevenson threw in 15 factors, together with his first three 3-point makes an attempt, and the Mountaineers blew previous the Gators of their last recreation of the Phil Knight Legacy at Chiles Center Sunday night time in Portland, Ore. Florida fell behind by 16 factors within the first half, managed to chop the margin in half by the break, however West Virginia got here out of the locker room on hearth. The Mountaineers opened the interval by hitting 5 of their first seven pictures (together with all three 3s) and eight of the primary 10 (all 4 3s) to take a 27-point lead, at 64-37, after barely six minutes. WVU went on to shoot 50.0 p.c within the second half from each the ground and 3-point line, whereas limiting the Gators to 34.5 p.c for the sport, however 29.0 after halftime (9 of 31) and simply 11.8 p.c from deep (2 of 17). The Mountaineers additionally labored the Gators on the glass, profitable the rebounding battle 49-28 (15-6 on the offensive finish). It did not assist that each of UF’s (*44*) 6-foot-11 standout Colin Castleton and 6-11 backup Jason Jitoboh, have been referred to as for 3 and 4 fouls, respectively, in a primary half that had WVU within the seven-foul bonus on the 13:18 mark, then within the double-bonus with 11:19 earlier than halftime. Florida was led by fifth-year level guard Kyle Lofton’s season-high 17 factors. Castleton, who arrived on the match because the nation’s No. 3 scorer at 25.3 factors per recreation, was held to only three factors (1-for-6 ground) and 5 rebounds over 18 foul-plagued minutes. Junior guard Trey Bonham, who averaged 21.0 factors over the primary two match video games, completed with three factors and struggled in opposition to the Mountaineers physicality in going 0-for-9 from the ground.
WHAT IT MEANS: Not a lot to say. This is one you would like to only “flush,” nevertheless it additionally uncovered some flaws on each ends of the ground. The Gators went 1-2 on this very prestigious match, however this one will make for a looooooong flight again from the Pacific Northwest.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: WVU coach Bob Huggins, the second-winningest energetic coach in Division I basketball, who obtained his 921st profession victory however first over the Gators in 4 tries and improved to 6-1 on the season. The three earlier losses all got here with one his former gamers, former UF assistant and Mountaineers level guard Darris Nichols, getting ready the scout and offering some helpful “Huggy Bear” intel. Nichols is now head coach at Radford.
STAGGERING STATISTIC: The 29-point margin of defeat was the most important by a Florida workforce since a 91-56 loss (and 35-point distinction) at Tennessee on Feb. 10, 1999. That was Coach Billy Donovan’s first NCAA Tournament workforce.
UP NEXT: Florida (4-3) will do a red-eye return to Gainesville, arriving round sun-up. The Gators could have Monday off, per NCAA guidelines, however might be again at follow Tuesday and prepping for a Wednesday night time dwelling recreation in opposition to Florida A&M, out of the Southwest Athletic Conference. UF’s first date in opposition to FAMU will not do a lot for the Gators’ NET. The Rattlers (1-4) at the moment sit No. 359 within the KenPom rankings (out of 363), with losses by 35 at Oregon, 37 at Portland, 17 at Oregon State and 26 at Miami. FAMU’s lone victory was a 70-65 additional time defeat of Division II Albany (Ga.) final Monday.