With first place in the SEC on the line and playing in front of an energized home crowd the Florida Gators came out hot from the jump and ended up leading the Kentucky Wildcats for the entirety of the game winning 92-83. Quickly building up a 15-point lead in the first quarter due to their stout defense the Gators were even able to have a few disastrous offensive stretches where they went minutes without scoring while still maintaining a lead, and even with Kentucky going on some hot shooting stretches it was never enough to claw back. Entering Saturday’s game the Gators were just a single game up on Kentucky in the SEC standings so this game had massive implications, and Florida stays as the king of the hill. This was also the return of former Gator Denzel Aberdeen who received his fair share of jeering from the Florida faithful but nothing as toxic as some expected, and he played a key role scoring 19 points on 8-21 shooting.
Finding His Rhythm
One of the ongoing storylines this season for the Gators has been the up and down play of Xaivian Lee that has often seemed like more down than up. However, recent games have seen him playing some of his best basketball of the season and that continued against Kentucky where he was the Gators’ leading scorer with 22 points. Also, with Lee it hasn’t always been about the total production, it’s been about efficiency, and importantly he was able to get his points on 7-12 shooting and that’s the even more important part. Fueling the Gators’ hot start, Lee had 10 quick points before it even seemed like both teams were settled as the Gators ran off ball actions to get him three-point opportunities and ball screens to get him downhill. These were successful looks that kickstarted Florida’s offensive attack and you can probably look for the Gators to look to Lee early in upcoming games as well.
Closing Time
WIth the Gators building an early lead much of the game was just about maintaining that cushion, and with Kentucky’s deep roster and multiple shot makers it really looked like they were going to get back in the action and make this game close. Just when Florida started to sweat, their microwave off the bench Urban Klavzar came into the game and took over. Doing most of his work in the second half when the Wildcats were turning the heat on, Klavzar started knocking down shot after shot after shot finishing with 19 points on 7-13 shooting, and it seemed like each one of his shots came at a pivotal moment and kept the Gators well enough in front to keep everyone settled down. Klavzar is now shooting 42% from three-point line in SEC play and has turned into one of the Gators’ most consistent scorers, something they have really needed for a lineup that is largely built on defense. With his professional experience overseas it never seems like Klavzar is fazed by any opponent or situation and that could be key as the Gators look to make noise in March.
The Cumulative Effects
Anyone who has watched the Gators play this season knows just how important size and physicality are to their success, and there are few teams in the country that can hang with the Gators in that area. Kentucky is one of the few teams that has a strong three-man rotation in the frontcourt with size, and for 25 minutes of this game it actually felt like they were playing the Gators to a stalemate, keeping Florida off the glass and actually winning the offensive rebounding battle. However, midway through the second half–the levy broke. Suddenly Kentucky looked tired and battered down, and all it once they started looking weaker on the inside and allowing layups while also relenting on their box outs which allowed the Gators to start dominating the glass. What once was a hearty Kentucky lead on the glass vanished and Florida finished the game with 17 offensive rebounds to Kentucky’s 13 (though they got several in garbage time or the margin would have been larger) and it was an example of the cumulative effects of playing Florida. Sure, some teams are able to bang with Florida for a stretch, or a half, or even maybe three quarters of a game–but ultimately the repeated pounding the Gators can administer in the frontcourt is going to wear down their opponent.
Final Thoughts
Florida will be extremely happy with the way they were able to grind down Kentucky and dominate the final chunk of the game with physicality, but they’re also going to be really happy with the period before that as well. Yes, winning with muscle is always going to be the first key for the Gators, but even when they weren’t dominating the glass heartily they still were able to build and maintain a comfortable lead and that is probably something they will have to do if they want to make another championship run in March. Xaivian Lee having an efficient, productive game will also be encouraging, as will the calm, cool late game execution of Urban Klavzar. It’s said that you need elite guards to win in March and the Gators haven’t always shown elite play in that area, but flashes like this show that they might have the juice when it matters.
Eric, man, your commentary is awesome for Gator basketball. Keep it coming!