The Florida Gators did it again, extending their 2011-12 home record to 13-0 with a 73-65 victory over the Vanderbilt Commodores. The No. 12/11 Gators improve to 19-4 (7-1 SEC) this season and will bring a seven-game win streak into Tuesday’s matchup against the No. 1 Kentucky Wildcats.
February 4, 2012; Florida Gators guard Mike Rosario (3) reacts after making 2 three pointers in a row against the Vanderbilt Commodores. Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE
It’s hard to call a 19-4 team streaky, but that’s just the case with the Gators this season. Instead of being streaky in terms of game outcomes, Florida is streaky within the 40-minute confines of each individual matchup. Against Vandy, the Gators got out to lead in the first half, but allowed the Commodores to get back into the game before heading to the locker room. Vandy’s run continued into the second half and they actually took the lead and kept it close for most of the final 20 minutes. In the end, Florida was out to put together its own run and come away with the eight-point victory, which just happened to beat the spread. Not that we’re a gambling bunch around here, but when you more than cover, it appears as if you’re doing something right. Despite the streaks, the Gators keep winning and doing so by the amount (or more) that they’re supposed to in many cases.
Florida was led by its trio of guards yet again. Junior guard Kenny Boynton – the team’s leading scorer – led the way with 18 points despite shooting 5-for-14 from the field. Boynton’s total was aided by three makes from downtown and going a perfect 5-for-5 from the free-throw line. Freshman guard Bradley Beal added 16 points including two important threes as the Gators pulled away late. Beal also grabbed seven rebounds, second to only Will Yeguete’s eight. Senior guard Erving Walker added 11 points, five assists and five rebounds to the trio’s totals. Together, the three made all 13 of their free-throw attempts. And we might as well stay with the guards for another moment to mention the only other Gator to score in double digits – Mike Rosario who had 10.
The Gators’ 14 turnovers were cause for concern, but they also forced the ‘Dores into 17 of their own. To truly complete with Kentucky though, Florida will need to get their assist-to-turnover ratio going in the right direction.
One more victory would give Billy Donovan his 14th-straight 20-win season as the Gators’ head coach. That’s quite an accomplishment, but we’re sure Donovan will be looking at 30 wins, not 20. Florida has only won 30 or more games in two seasons with Donovan at the helm. Those two seasons? Well, you can guess which ones they were.
That’s another win in the books, so tell us how you think the Gators will end the season. Vote in the poll to the right. Scroll down and you’ll find it.
For more Florida Gators’ coverage, like our Facebook page and follow @HailFloridaHail on Twitter.
Tags: Billy Donovan, Bradley Beal, College Basketball, Erving Walker, Florida Gators, Kenny Boynton, Kentucky Wildcats, Mike Rosario, SEC, Vanderbilt Commodores, Will Yeguete
Loading ...
){kind=link}
