A&M News Coverage of the Game

[David Shepherd]

Florida clamps down on defense, holding Turner to four points

COLLEGE STATION — No. 10 Florida smacked Texas A&M, 68-47, on Thursday evening at Reed Arena, unceremoniously halting the Aggies’ previously rosy start in the SEC.


A&M (12-4, 2-1 SEC) was riding a 2-0 conference record, including a win Saturday at Kentucky, and playing in front of its best home crowd (11,046) of the season. But Florida (13-2, 3-0) used spirited defense to hold A&M to its season scoring low and shot 50 percent with a balanced offense. While overwhelming the Aggies, the Gators displayed what some of the best of A&M’s new league has to offer.


“We lost to a very good team,” A&M coach Billy Kennedy said. “They were more physical than us at every position. They’re very hard to guard. Their maturity and toughness was evident.”


Florida’s Mike Rosario led all scorers with 19 points, Patric Young had 18 and Erik Murphy scored 16. Freshman guard Alex Caruso led A&M with 12 points. Freshman guard J’Mychal Reese, the only other Aggie to reach double figures, had 10.


The notable name missing is Elston Turner, A&M’s senior guard who poured in 40 points in the win at Kentucky. Florida held him to four points on 1-of-10 shooting, including 0-4 from 3-point range. Turner entered the game averaging 17.1 points and had scored in double digits in each game this season. A&M doesn’t have another consistent offensive threat.


“Elston’s had nights like that this year,” Kennedy said. “They were aware of where he was. They knew every set, they were prepared and physically they wore him down.”


Florida coach Billy Donovan credited the defense of Scottie Wilbekin, with Wilbekin fighting through screens to stay on Turner, then getting help from post players if Turner put the ball on the floor.


http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/col...cal-gators.ece

[David Shepherd]

ESPN-

COLLEGE STATION, Texas -- Florida coach Billy Donovan thought his team could be great defensively entering this season.

So far the Gators are proving him right.Mike Rosario scored 19 points and Patric Young added 18 as No. 10 Florida cruised to a 68-47 victory over Texas A&M on Thursday night.

The Aggies led by one point midway through the first half before a big run by the Gators gave them a 35-18 halftime lead, and they didn't let up in the second half.It was a letdown for Texas A&M (12-4, 2-1 Southeastern Conference), which was coming off an 83-71 victory at Kentucky on Saturday.

Elston Turner scored a career-high 40 points in that win, but managed just four points Thursday on 1-of-10 shooting.

"We as a coaching staff have made some adjustments on things and we've done some different things that has helped," Donovan said of improving the defense. "You can give them facts and show them where they need to get better and why."

http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=330170245

[MJGator8104]

A smattering of Florida fans at Reed would make their presence known a couple times — shouting “Tim Tebow!” while A&M shot free throws. How very SEC

From the Dallas News article. Our fans were shouting "Tim Tebow" during their free throw shots? I thought I heard our fans shouting "Air Ball" (which is normal), but "Tim Tebow"?

Thanks for the links, David.

[themistocles]

Tim Tebow, why not Steve Spurrier, or Danny Wuefferel, or better yet, Rex Grossman (who should have won the Heisman his RS Freshman year, but in those days, the voters didn't give such awards to either frosh or sophs. Tebow was the first Soph to win the award.

You gotta be kiddin me - "Tim Tebow" - How very SEC.

[austingtr]

It is Johnny's second year of College too. When I see a true freshman win it, I might get excited. Tebow had more career TDs. And he has never been in trouble with the law.

I like JF, but I'm getting sick of him. I guess that is why so many hated Tebow.

[HALLGATOR]

If anyone wants to see an example of team defense then they can watch last night's game. Like most of you I have seen a whole bunch of college basketball games but this team really impresses me with what they are capable of doing.

[gatorbogey]

Originally Posted by HALLGATOR

If anyone wants to see an example of team defense then they can watch last night's game. Like most of you I have seen a whole bunch of college basketball games but this team really impresses me with what they are capable of doing.

you got that right!
that was a defensive gem last night.

i did start watching our d play after the game got a bit out of hand. it's hard not to watch the ball, you know. but you really get an appreciation for the sport and the gators just watching the off-ball action. man, we were workin' it last night vs a&m. impressive, indeed!