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Florida Basketball: Gators not ready to take step forward yet

By Benjamin Henderson

Nov 7, 2022; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators head coach Todd Golden talks with Florida Gators forward Alex Fudge (3) in a timeout during the second half against the Stony Brook Seawolves at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 7, 2022; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators head coach Todd Golden talks with Florida Gators forward Alex Fudge (3) in a timeout during the second half against the Stony Brook Seawolves at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Florida Gators had an opportunity last night against UConn to test themselves against a top-ranked opponent at home. Florida basketball entered as underdogs, but Vegas only spotted the Huskies 3 to 4 points depending on the sports book.

What transpired instead was a reminder that while Todd Golden may have a better vision for the Gators than his predecessor, there is still plenty of work to be done before Florida ascends back to the top of college basketball.

Florida Basketball: Taking baby steps

We have previously chronicled the disparity between the three-point shooting Golden had while at USF (west) and what he now has with Florida basketball. The Gators seemed to be finding their scoring from downtown against FAMU and Stetson, making double-digit three in both games.

That happy feeling was short-lived as Florida shot just 4-15 from three against UConn en route to a 75-54 defeat. The inside shooting wasn’t much better as the Gators shot just 31% from inside the three-point line.

The Gators weren’t amazing on the defensive side, but there are pathways for Florida to win while giving up 75 points. Florida basketball has topped 75 points in seven of its first ten games this season. But it is not an accident that in the four games Florida has played against teams ranked in the top 50 of the KenPom computer rankings, Florida has lost all four and has failed to top 75 points in three of them.

Florida’s offensive efficiency is “better” this season compared to last. The Gators are ranked 67th in points per possession so far compared to 131st last season. But somehow the Gators have regressed compared to last year when it comes to assists per possession.

Last year Florida basketball was 152nd in the country in assists per possession, a stat that probably shocks nobody when thinking about a Mike White coached squad. This year under Golden they are sitting at 202nd in assists per possession. White’s Georgia squad is beating out Florida in the category.

Even worse, the Gators are 283rd in assists per made field goal. Only 46% of made baskets by Florida are coming off of an assist.

Translation, the Gators have talented players that can beat their man one-on-one when faced with an overmatched opponent. Even when Florida basketball scored 100 points against FAMU, only 43% of the made field goals came off an assist.

But when matched up against the big boys, the Gators just don’t have the ball movement to create easy baskets and don’t have the shooters to make the difficult ones.

Todd Golden came to Gainesville with visions of a high-octane offense that was going to be a reprieve from the Mike White era. 10 games in, Gator Nation is still waiting.

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