Florida had their chance to steal the game but ultimately a lack of execution on both ends led to a 69-68 loss to the Mississippi State Bulldogs, knocking the Gators out of the SEC Tournament in their opening game. Most of the game was controlled by the Bulldogs but the Gators battled back in the final moments of regulation, tying the game with a Myreon Jones three. In overtime the Gators fell behind by multiple possessions again but clawed themselves back, ultimately taking the lead with 12 seconds left after a Riley Kugel steal led to Niels Lane layup to give the Gators the lead. Unfortunately, as was the case for much of the game, Mississippi State strolled down the floor and got the ball to center Tolu Smith who calmly scored with 4 seconds remaining, giving the Bulldogs the one-point win. This game was a complete rock fight with both teams struggling to score and the Bulldogs favored this as the more scrappy, physical team.
Rebounding
Controlling the boards has been a complete disaster for the Gators as of late and they had their worst defensive rebounding game of the season on Thursday allowing the Bulldogs to grab 21 offensive rebounds. Florida was only able to grab 26 defensive rebounds so every time Mississippi State put up a shot, it was about a coin flip as to who was going to get the ball. The Gators were able to play good first shot defense against a Mississippi State team that is dead last in the country in three-point percentage but their inability to close out the possession allowed the Bulldogs to continue to generate points. Starting center Jason Jitoboh’s lack of fight on the glass sent him to the bench in the key minutes at the end of the game and while Alex Fudge and Aleks Szymzyk tried hard, they didn’t have the bulk or athleticism to get rebounds. In a one-point game, it was absolutely rebounding that bit the Gators.
Shooting Struggles
Mississippi State is an outstanding defensive team who builds their structure around protecting the paint and the Gators tried to shoot them out of it with a heavy dose of three-point looks. Unfortunately the strategy didn’t pay off as the Gators went 8-35 for 23% from deep. This won’t be too surprising after a season of subpar shooting, and it’s almost poetic for their season to be ended this way. Without Colin Castleton the Gators don’t have much from an interior offensive standpoint and they were left firing from deep and the gamble didn’t pay off.
Career Night
Throughout this season the Gators have been allowing massive games to opposing centers and you can add another stellar performance by an opposing big on Thursday with Tolu Smith getting whatever he wanted. He had one of the best games of his career finishing with 28 points and 12 rebounds, unfazed by all the defensive pressure the Gators were putting on him. Whoever the Gators put on him, Smith was able to take advantage. Against Jitoboh it was with speed and agility, whereas against Fudge and Szymzyk it was pure size and physicality. Florida’s game plan against Smith wasn’t all that bad, but it was clear that without Castleton the Gators don’t have anywhere near the frontcourt talent available to keep up with even the middle of the SEC.
Final Thoughts
Postseason games often look like a microcosm of a season and that’s exactly what this was for Florida. After struggling all season to create shots, they struggled to create shots. After being a poor shooting team all season, they couldn’t make shots. After getting bludgeoned on the glass all season…well, you get the picture. Mississippi State is a team that is currently on the NCAA Tournament bubble whereas the Gators don’t have much to play for and we saw that difference in hunger.
Florida is likely to play in the NIT, though they won’t be in the top half of seeding–meaning they’ll go on the road to face whoever they’re matched up with. It’s expected the Gators will accept this opportunity, though that could change when the reality of the situation sets in.