In a battle of two of the SEC’s best, the Florida Gators and Vanderbilt Commodores both displayed toughness, skill, and resilience but it was the Gators that won the final few possessions and therefore the game by a score of 98-94. Throughout the 40 minutes of both teams trading blows back and forth it was never clear who was going to have an edge with Florida’s frontcourt patrolling the inside and Vanderbilt’s wings making shots and it resulted in a game tied at 90 with just under three minutes remaining. Given that the Gators haven’t played in many close games this season and the fact that this was in front of a raucous Vanderbilt home crowd in Nashville you didn’t entirely know if they’d be able to pull out the win but with some key shots and major stops the Gators picked up their biggest resume win of the season. Florida is now 13-5 and 4-1 in SEC play and at the top of the table, and this road game at Vanderbilt was the most difficult league game on their schedule which means the road to a regular season title is clear to see–particularly now that they own the tiebreak over Vanderbilt, should it come to that.
Frontcourt Dominance
During Vanderbilt’s magical start to the season where they won their first 16 games there was a lot of admiration for their skill and high-IQ game, but there were always questions about their lack of interior size. Starting two 6’7” players in the frontcourt the Commodores were undersized in pretty much every matchup, though they never saw a team with just as much bulk as the Gators. For that reason all eyes were on the matchup as people waited to see what would happen, and just as was expected the Gators were able to physically dominate. Finishing with 13 offensive rebounds to Vanderbilt’s 6 the Gators had a clear advantage in extra possessions, though the Commodores only allowing 13 offensive rebounds could even be seen as somewhat of a win for them as things could have gotten a lot worse. More notable was the impact that Florida’s length had defensively as there were numerous plays where Vanderbilt got an opportunity at the rim due to a well-executed play or blow by on a drive–only to see the length and back out entirely, or force up a tough miss. Offensively, Rueben Chinyelu was able to have his way with 20 points and 10 rebounds, as when he caught the ball deep there wasn’t much Vanderbilt could do and they simply had to allow him take sweeping hook after sweeping hook, many of which fell. Ultimately, Florida’s massive frontcourt advantage was the biggest reason for the win.
Big Shot
When Florida targeted Xaivian Lee in the transfer portal they were looking for someone who could not only replace some of the production and usage from Walter Clayton but be a player capable of making a tough shot when needed. Well, that time finally came as the Gators found themselves down 94-92 with under a minute left, desperate to get some kind of clean look against a Vanderbilt defense that had been strong on the perimeter. As Lee sized up his defender he chose to go to his favorite move, a deep stepback where he can create tons of space with his long strides–and that shot found the net. Florida got a stop on the other end, and that was essentially the game. At this point we’ve seen that Lee has his deficiencies, and while those are well-publicized–ultimately what the Gators need most from him is the big-shot ability and the confidence to come through in the clutch, and that’s what they got. Lee finished with 20 points in addition to his most memorable play as a Gator.
Underrated Moment
Lee’s big three will likely get the most hype from this game, and for good reason, but there was another play in the clutch that was just as big in securing Florida the win. Vanderbilt’s Tyler Tanner is one of the best point guards in the country, and even though the Gators were able to do a pretty good job on him he showed just how talented he is finishing with 20 points and 5 assists with just 1 turnover. Naturally, when Vanderbilt needed someone to go and create a possible game winner–they went to Tanner. It was 96-94 for Florida with 18 seconds left, and Xaivian Lee missed a free throw giving Vanderbilt the chance to tie or win. Tanner was given the rock and the chance to create one on one, something he does just about as well as anyone in the country. As he drove, he was met on the drive with the chest of an orange and blue defender who rerouted him and sent him towards the baseline. Tanner had to force up an attempt, which was an off-balance spinner off the rim, a low-percentage look forced by a tremendous individual effort defensively.
That defender? Boogie Fland. While it was a slow night for Fland offensively, his incredible point of attack defense was there when the Gators needed it, just as it has been in recent games. His individual effort is huge in setting the tone, and it was big when the Gators needed a stop against a talented guard.
Final Thoughts
This was a gigantic game on Florida’s schedule and therefore a massive win in every single way–it was huge for the SEC standings, it was a huge NCAA Tournament resume piece, and it was huge for the vibes of the team who have proven they can beat one of the best teams in the country on the road. The Gators have found themselves on the wrong side of the close games they’ve been in so far this season, so this win should give them a lot of belief. They are now in the driver’s seat to take an SEC regular season crown now that the most difficult game on their schedule is in the rearview mirror.