In a season stuffed with dominant victories, the Related Press No. 4 Florida Gators‘ SEC event quarterfinal win over the Kentucky Wildcats could have been their most spectacular. And never for the explanations you would possibly anticipate.
Florida (26-6, 16-2 in SEC) superior to Saturday’s semis with a 71-63 win in a recreation it was nowhere close to at its greatest. That begs the query: If the Gators cannot be beat at their worst, what likelihood does the NCAA Match subject have of stopping their roll to a second consecutive nationwide championship?
Poor Florida efficiency not sufficient to halt group’s 12-game win streak
Florida did a lot to lose in its first SEC tourney recreation after receiving a double-bye. It shot 37.9 p.c, the group’s third-lowest capturing share this season. In addition they completed with three three-pointers, tied for a season-low, and had 18 turnovers, one off their season-high set in a nonconference loss to the TCU Horned Frogs (22-11, 11-7 in Massive 12) in November.
It was the proper storm for Florida to endure its first loss since Jan. 24, however stringent protection, excellent rebounding and well timed capturing was sufficient to run its win streak to 12 video games.
Kentucky (21-13, 10-8 in SEC) shot even worse, ending at 35.6 p.c, together with 21.7 p.c from past the arc. The Gators had an almost 2-to-1 rebounding benefit, ending with 50 to the Wildcats’ 29. 4 gamers had a minimum of eight boards, together with Alex Condon and Rueben Chinyelu, who every collected 10.
Condon led the group in scoring, ending with 22 factors on 7-of-12 capturing. Guard Xaivian Lee continued his spectacular play of late, ending the sport with 11 factors, six assists, 5 rebounds and three steals. He hit a giant three with beneath a minute remaining in regulation, pushing Florida’s result in eight, 69-61.
