The Florida Gators basketball team has an odd schedule this week, as arguably the worst and the best team in the SEC will make trips to Gainesville in a 48-hour span.
On Thursday, the Gators will welcome Missouri, a team that is currently on a 12-game skid and has yet to win a conference game this season. Then, No. 8 Kentucky will come to town Saturday night, leaving Florida to make a very quick turnaround for the critical matchup.
With a week like this one, Mike White is on his toes trying to keep his team focused on the task at hand, which is Missouri. Florida has been known to play down to the level of some of its opponents this season, so looking over the Tigers would be a mistake. Kentucky has become a forbidden word at team activities this week and is not to be spoken of until after Thursday’s game.
“They are not going to overlook Thursday or they are going to be sitting by me,” said White. “We’re going to find five guys that are really excited to play Missouri … We’re not good enough period, and even if we were, it wouldn’t matter. We’re gonna have a good practice today or we’re gonna come back tonight. If I hear Kentucky from one of our players, they may not play. We are preparing for Missouri.”
White pointed to Missouri’s competitive nature. While the Tigers’ record may not reflect it, they have competed in most SEC matchups this season. Missouri brings a physicality that could cause problems for Florida. The Tigers are second in the conference in both rebounding and defensive rebounding, while the Gators find themselves at or near the bottom of the SEC in those categories.
“They play as hard as anyone in our league. They really defend with a really young lineup … They fight you on every possession,” White said. “Physicality is gonna be a factor. They’re starting four and five are big, strong, tough dudes that look like they could be on the football field. They throw their bodies around, both offensively and defensively.”
Florida players know Missouri will come in and compete, but still, it is difficult not to set sights past an 0-8 SEC team and onto Kentucky. After all, the Gators have lost five straight to the Wildcats and are seeking redemption this season. Sophomore Kevarrius Hayes said Kentucky has been on his mind a little bit, but the most important thing to do right now is to not think too far ahead.
“It’s mostly focusing on us, making sure we stay true to ourselves, keep doing what we’re doing, don’t change anything depending on whether it’s the worst team or the best team we’re playing against,” said Hayes. “Just play the way we know how and everything will work out.”
Mike White isn’t even multitasking with his focus right now as a coach, he is all set on Missouri and hopes that mindset will leave an impression on his players to do the same. “I don’t juggle it at all, and I’m not sure that’s the right way to do it, but I won’t watch Kentucky until Thursday night. Period,” he said. “It’s the way we do it. It might change in the future, but it’s the only way I know how to do it. It’s the only way I’ve done it. We just have a singular focus right now on Missouri.”