As much as we were helped at crucial times by Micah’s blocks, I think we lost because our bigs were lacking it tonight. I’m sure Todd will be able to use it as a teaching moment.
Yes has been a long time. If I were Golden I would most definitely do it. Puts the onus on the refs to explain why they didn’t call at least a flagrant foul in real time, which would of course mean free throws (and ball game Gators). Make them explain their inadequacies in what was clearly a horrible, one-sided officiated monstrosity
Over the backs hurt too, but yes. We need to be able to turn up the aggressiveness and discipline on defensive rebounding
It would have helped because our starting guards would have had more rest to close out the game stronger.
Very proud of effort tonight; this team now knows we can beat anyone if we play good. A few teaching moments: Our bigs need to grab/hold loose balls like their life depends on it; way too many balls lost in first half. We have to get out and defend the long baseline; no excuse here, just need to defend this better.
They matched us at what they do best (3 point shooting) and dominated us at what we do best (rebounding). They just got too many opportunities. One possession in the first half they got 5 shots at the basket because of offensive rebounding and ended up with a 3. Thise factors and the conspicuous absence of Kugel which seems to occur every few games, and we really made it hard. Kugelnis one of our best players and averages 26 minutes a game and basically double digit scoring. We just could not overcome his absence. I hope he sees how important he is to the team.
True, problem is we got them on a cold shooting night and should have pulled it off. Have to take opportunities when they present themselves, who knows if it’ll be the same next time
These kind of missed calls should be reported to the SEC office and refs miss calling their next game. Gumps, anything to win.
When Walter went inside late, they both said it looked like a great deal of contact was missed, for their behalf’s.
When Florida was up 74-67, the Gators should have made one or two more critical plays to pull it out in regulation. For example, Zion could have hit that last shot but just missed or Richard should not have gone for the steal which resulted in sending the Alabama player to the free-throw line to tie up the game. It was better just to play that whole possession on defense and make Alabama make that winning field goal. In OT, Florida just came out flat and Alabama got off to a lead. I thought that Samuel took a couple of bad shots in regulation (ie, not deciding whether to hit a 3-pointer or taking a longer mid-range shot) to give Bama the opportunity to get an easy transition basket. Perhaps Golden should have played more fresh bodies in overtime. For instance, Riley Kugel in place of Richard who didn't do as much late in the game; although, Richard had a tremendous overall game. Or, put in Condon in place of Samuel to guard Alabama's Walters who came off the bench to hit four 3-pointers. Got to give credit to Micah with some tremendous shot blocks to stifle Alabama at times. Handlogten also made numerous offensive rebounds to give Florida more possessions. Walter Clayton was a gamer in OT and nearly made Florida come back almost himself. Great all around effort but just could not get it done in the end.
