NEW ORLEANS – During the Round of 32 game against UCLA, the Gators got a huge scare when sophomore guard Kenny Boynton came down on his left ankle awkwardly and his foot buckled under the weight of his falling body.
As Boynton writhed on the wood floor in pain, trainers rushed out to treat him.
But what looked like a horrible injury at the time likely won’t keep him from playing a lot of minutes in the Sweet 16 against BYU.
Boynton, who has dealt with ankle injuries in the past, said he wasn’t worried about missing the rest of the tournament when he was lying on the cold floor at the top of the key in the St. Pete Times Forum.
“I’ve felt the same exact thing so many times, and I knew exactly what it was,” he said. “But I didn’t know how long it would take for me to get back.”
Florida’s training staff has worked with the 6-foot-2, 183-pound sophomore extensively this week trying to get him in shape for tomorrow night’s showdown with the Cougars.
They have treated Boynton with ice throughout the week, and he has worn a wrap on his ankle both in and out of practice.
He practiced at full speed for the first time all week today, after working out individually yesterday.
“I practiced today,” he said. “Felt like I didn’t even injure it. I’m feeling good for tomorrow.”
Florida’s training staff also had Boynton submerge his ankle in a cold tank for 15 minutes at a time, before alternating to a hot tank for 15 minutes.
Boynton “hates” the treatment, but said he wants to do everything he can to make sure he’s at 100 percent for tomorrow’s game against BYU.
Head coach Billy Donovan is confident Boynton will be fine come game time, given his performances in practice and workouts this week.
“He was in a postion to practice yesterday, and the trainer wanted to hold him out and rest him another day,” Donovan said. “Today he was full go. He appeared to be moving well, has not said or given me any indication he’s having any issues or problems with the ankle. We expect him to be fine tomorrow night and to be able to play.”
Boynton will face the toughest task of any Florida player, drawing duty guarding BYU’s Jimmer Fredette, the nation’s leading scorer.
Last season against Florida, Fredette scored 37 points. Boynton was able to limit him to 23 points in regulation, but fouled out at the beginning of the second overtime.