Florida Basketball: Todd Golden’s calling card has been Gators weakness
Last night the Gators fought valiantly against 20th ranked Auburn in a game that would have been a real boost to Florida’s NCAA tournament hopes. But much like against Oklahoma, Florida basketball couldn’t hit a three pointer to save its life.
And as we have chronicled before, the lack of three point shooting is perplexing when one considers part of Todd Golden’s calling card was three point shooting.
Florida Basketball: Mike White 2.0?
After last week’s contest against Oklahoma and last night’s contest against Auburn, the Gators may never want to shoot a three point shot ever again.
Between the two games, Florida went 5/41 shooting from three, a 12% conversion rate. With even the most mediocre of three point shooting, the Gators beat both teams and the conversation we are having about Florida basketball is far different.
Currently Florida basketball is converting at a 34% rate, good for 134th in country. In fairness to Golden, three point shooting has improved this year compared to last year when the Gators were 317th in the country.
Lack of pure shooters are one reason to blame for the poor conversion rate, and in time it will be on Golden to find them. But lack of ball movement has a very Mike White feel to it.
Currently Florida has an assist on 45% of its made baskets. That’s 304th in the country. Last night Florida had nine assists on 19 made baskets, a 47% rate. Auburn had 16 assists on 21 made baskets, a 76% rate.
Perhaps the warning signs should have been there when Golden was hired because last year San Francisco was 282nd in the country in assists on made baskets. Difference was they had the shooters to make up for the lack of ball movement.
The Golden Era hasn’t quite been that. Yet. And Golden might be forced to adapt his identity the rest of the season to fit what he has in Gainesville.
Next up is Kentucky, so Florida basketball might want to figure some things out sooner rather than later.