The Gators were locked and loaded in their final exhibition game as they went on to defeat the University of Tampa by a score of 94-57.
#GatorsWin pic.twitter.com/4TTbImauif
— Gators M-Basketball (@GatorsMBK) November 5, 2017
As expected, the Gators got out to a hot start on the offensive side of the ball. Nine different players scored in the first half, shooting 56 percent from the field while going 6-12 from the three.
Freshman Mike Okauru led the Gators in first-half scoring with 9 points on 4-4 shooting. The former four-star recruit also brought down two boards to add on to those stats.
The Gators kept their foot on the gas in the second half, shooting 51 percent from the field and 46 percent from the three.
Jalen Hudson scored a game-high 18 points, while also bringing down 3 boards. Keith Stone had 12 points on 5-8 shooting, Kevaughn Allen and Mike Okauru both had 11 points, and Egor Koulechov finished with 9 points, all from the perimeter.
Despite shooting so well, the Gators were pretty sloppy on the offensive side of the ball, turning the ball over 15 times.
The Gators had a great day on defense, limiting Tampa to just one three-pointer and 34 percent shooting from the field. Kevarrius Hayes, Gorjok Gak, Chase Johnson, and Dontay Bassett had a block party as well, accounting for 12 blocks throughout the course of the game.
Looking Ahead
This team will be a force to be reckoned with if today’s defensive performance is indicative of what it’s going to look like all season. Major offensive firepower and solid team defense are two key components that teams need to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament.
Although the Gators need to clean things up on the offensive side of the ball, it appears that Coach Mike White has this team heading in the right direction as they head into the regular season.
Be sure to tune in for the Gators season opener on Monday, November 13 at 7 p.m. when the Gators take on Gardner-Webb in the O’Connell Center.