The identity of the 2023-24 Florida Gators’ basketball team has been their success on the glass as Todd Golden’s squad currently ranks 3rd in the country in offensive rebounding, hauling in 39.4% of their opportunities this season, according to KenPom.
Prior to Florida’s victory over Missouri on Wednesday night, the Gators had uncharacteristically lost the rebounding battle in back-to-back games against Vanderbilt and Alabama, splitting those contests in the process. Florida was outrebounded by Vanderbilt 38-27 and Alabama 33-27.
“Super important,” Todd Golden said on getting back to dominating the glass prior to Florida’s matchup with Missouri. “You know, not only for this game, but for the rest of the year. You know, it’s been such a big reason as to why we’ve been successful. And, you know, if we’re not rebounding well, it just closes our margin for error, a lot. You know, so we want to get back to what’s kind of allowed us to become the team we are right now. And you know, it’s something that is, you know, a lot about effort, but there’s some execution as well that we have to clean up today and then tomorrow morning before we get into the game. My hope is that we respond the right way have a really good effort that way tomorrow night.”
Florida answered the call on Wednesday night, outrebounding Missouri 38-27 including a 13-7 margin on the offensive glass en route to a 83-74 win over the Tigers.
Florida’s starting front court dominated in the contest as Tyrese Samuel and Micah Handlogten combined for 22 rebounds, nine of which were offensive.
“Obviously, Tyrese [Samuel] was a grown man tonight. He did an incredible job: 28 points, 10 rebounds,” Golden said postgame.
“I was thrilled,” Golden added on Handlogten. “His first really good game in the league was against Missouri, as well. He got on the glass for us that game and did a really good job creating second-chance opportunities and rim-finishing, which he did again tonight.”
“My boy Micah the best offensive rebounder in the country,” Tyrese Samuel said postgame.
Samuel isn’t far off here; Handlogten ranks as the 2nd best offensive rebounder in the country, according to KenPom. The 7’1 center hauls in 18.6% of offensive rebounders, which trails only Sam Godwin of Oklahoma (20.6%).
No.24 Florida will travel to Columbia, South Carolina to take on the 18th ranked Gamecocks on Saturday afternoon.
Vandy outrebounded us by 1, not 11.