For the primary time on this convention season, Florida’s males’s basketball workforce lastly had a sport 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 Arena, so go determine).
Florida placing what has been an elite protection in opposition to an offense that has struggled all yr and the end result was considerably predictable.
What occurred
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
The Gators began quick for the second sport in a row and by no means let up, stifling a workforce 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 appeared like a workforce 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
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I like 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. But at this level, you simply have to win a sport 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 highway.
Player of the Game: South Carolina
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Yes, GG Jackson goes to be an NBA participant and had 20 factors and 10 rebounds. But 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 middle Josh Gray, who completed with 11 factors and 13 rebounds.
Player of the Game: Florida
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
[autotag]Myreon Jones[/autotag] has been approaching lately and the sport Wednesday evening was an ideal instance. He was a depressing 3-for-10 from the sector and didn’t make a 3. But he got here this shut to a triple-double with 9 factors, 10 rebounds and eight assists.
Inside the numbers
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
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. Certainly, the opposition had one thing to do with it, however these Gators are taking part in at a degree we didn’t see early within the season.
He mentioned it
Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports
“I knew I was close to (a triple-double) with about 12 minutes to go. That’s why I didn’t get it, because I was focused on it.” — Myreon Jones
Next up
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Florida performs an emotional sport Saturday in opposition to Kansas State and [autotag]Keyontae Johnson[/autotag]. Johnson is averaging 18.3 factors a sport 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-Big 12 Challenge weekend and shall be on ESPN2. It’s one other first in a yr of firsts for Golden. More importantly, it’s one other shot at a Quad 1 win.
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