What this team has been through since Keyontae went down, it was a time for all Gator fans to rejoice together. Good seeing Tre Mann in the crowd! A good luck charm!
The talk from the two guys calling the game, spouting Bruce Pearl up for Coach of the year. When do teams on probation, Coach gets nominated for COY! Sssshhhh, SMH!
Police were immediately on the court escorting people back to the stands. Glad they did, we did not need anyone hurt OR a fine.
This team won because of some great defense (especially forcing some wild turnovers by Auburn), and some redder than red hot shooting by Appleby. Not sure that offense is a winning formula by any means, but Appleby got it done in this game… or more accurately the 2nd half. We did not play smart in the last 2 minutes - it was actually an insane finish - which made the game far more stressful than it ought to have been given that late hot shooting. Some very curious decisions. Obviously any time you beat the #2 ranked team it’s a great win, but at this stage we also have to be realistic, and the fact we just about gave another one away is sort of emblematic as to where this program has been. But bottom line is UF now has this much needed win, the tourney is at least realistic again. Still, can’t lose sight of the fact this team probably needs 2 or 3 more minimum and nothing is safe with such sketchy offense.
If they beat Auburn, they can beat any team in the country on any given night. Let's hope that this sparks a strong finish. Imagine if they somehow take down Arky and UK. Unlikely, but would be amazing.
Love to see em finish the regular season with 20 "W,s" almost a guaranteed lock and gets UF off the bubble IMO
We kind of knew Gators could beat anyone or get beat by anyone. Their best attribute is there is absolutely no quit in them. Appleby trips over his own balls sometimes but we live or die with him. Every game is agony but I like our kids - they've kept me watching and I'm hoping they can complete the task in front of them.
Florida keeps fouling the 3-point shooter in both of those games (Texas A&M by Flemming; Auburn by Duruji). The difference was that UF was able to hang on for a one point victory. Have to stop those kind of knuckle-headed plays!
After that Texas A&M loss, Florida was in the "Next Four Out" category. Was this win good enough to be in the tournament or more work needs to be done?
I haven't watched the replay but, live, given the way the refs were allowing CC to be mugged and dribblers "moved" with the body, I thought it was a weak foul. Maybe something the ref expected rather than saw. I also saw an Auburn flop that wasn't called so I may be wrong.
I totally missed the game-thought for some reason it was later..oh well-glad and surprised (happily) that we won..
It was a great game. The team played to its best identity, which is lock-down defense first and foremost. These guys were recruited here because they were elite defenders in their old leagues. We had kind of gotten away from that the last few games, but today was terrific. Smith was incredible tonight. He hit a lot of tough, contested shots. Luckily, Appleby was able to match him down the stretch. White did a really good job getting the team ready tonight. Let’s hope he keeps that up.