Missed Free Throws Give Kentucky 68-65 Win Over Florida

This year’s Florida team is much better than last year’s. The now-sophomores have improved. Some of the freshmen are starting to contribute. Overall, the team is more of a unit. But I can’t help but see the increasingly similarities between this squad and the last.

Last year’s team was 13-2 with losses to FSU and Ohio State before entering SEC play. This year’s team was 13-2 with losses to Syracuse and FSU. During both seasons, the Gators got out to a 5-1 start in conference play and at 18-3 overall looked in great shape to make the NCAA Tournament. In 2007-08, that’s when it started to unravel. Over the next three games, Florida would go 1-2 with two road losses. Sound familiar? After losing 68-65 to Kentucky on Tuesday night, the Gators have lost their last two on the road. Let’s hope that’s where the similarities stop. Last season, Florida would lose five of its last seven. That can’t happen to this year’s team. The Gators play four of their final seven at home and not a single came is against a ranked opponent. So hopefully, things are looking up.

On Tuesday night, things were looking down. A tight game the entire way was ended with a three-pointer by Kentucky star Jodie Meeks with less than five seconds left. Nick Calathes had a chance to tie the game after being fouled, but missed all three free throws. A great all-around game by Calathes was spoiled when he couldn’t capitalize with a chance to tie it up.

Calathes led Florida with 33 points, but only one other Gator – Alex Tyus with 14 – was able to get into double digits.

Florida – who fell to 19-5 (6-3) – travels to Georgia on Saturday.