The Florida Gators have made a run, it may be a month later than fans would have liked, but Mike White and his basketball team have taken two game in the NIT Tournament and live to play another game. Florida is one win over George Washington from capturing its quadrant and advancing to New York for the NIT semifinals.
Kasey Hill arrived at Florida as a heralded McDonald’s All-American but his career at Florida has been tumultuous, to say the least. A less than awe inspiring junior season left fans groaning when Hill would gather from behind the arc and let loss a three-pointer, but starting in the SEC Tournament something changed.
Hill has been the catalyst for Florida down the stretch, nearly doubling his point total from 9.0 ppg to 14.9 in four postseason contests, shooting 53% to boot.
“It started with Vanderbilt at home, where we started simplifying some things offensively and really started selling out to more ball-screening, more spread pick-and-roll, more transition offense and less long-developing stuff in the half court,” White said. “Kasey has probably benefited the most. We’ve talked all season offense being a trial and error. I feel like we’ve finally found our best way to play. I wish we found a month earlier than we did.”
To his credit, Hill has handled everything with class, according to White. Players at Florida live in a bubble and Florida Gators fans are some of the most passionate in the country. That passion can spill over and turn negative when things aren’t going well, which they weren’t for Hill until recently.
“He’s in a high profile position, I guess it would be similar to being the quarterback for the Gators,” White said. “I think overall, you’ve got to respect the way he’s handled it, and it’s not like he’s in a funk right now. He’s playing the best basketball he’s played since he’s been at Florida.”
The Game:
Who: Florida Gators (21-14) vs. George Washington Colonials (25-10)
When: Wednesday night, 7 pm
Where: Charles E. Smith Center, Washington, D.C.
TV: ESPN 2 (Brad Nessler and Cory Alexander)
Series history: Florida holds a 2-1 advantage