Florida Basketball: Three keys to the game for Gators against Pittsburgh

Florida basketball is in Brooklyn for the NIT Season Tip-Off. It is a prime opportunity for the Gators to leap into the top 25 with a solid showing, as Florida will potentially take on two top 40 opponents.

First up, the Gators will take on the Pittsburgh Panthers, with the winner taking on the winner of Baylor vs Oregon State.

Florida Basketball: In the Big Apple

• When – 9:30 PM
• Where – Barclay’s Center
• TV – ESPN2

Control the glass

It is cliche to say that rebounding will play a big role in a basketball game, but tonight, it truly a case where both Florida and Pitt enter the game feeling like rebounding is a strength.

The Gators are number one in the country at offensive rebounds, collecting an astounding 48.5% of their own missed shots. Pitt, meanwhile, is 5th in the country at defensive rebounds, collecting 84.6% of their opponent’s misses.

If the Gators can continue their rebounding rate of anything close to even 35% tonight, it will pay massive dividends.

Protect the ball

One red flag for Florida basketball early in the season is something they struggled with last year. The Gators are turning the ball over on 20.1% of their offensive possessions. That’s 281st in the country.

Pitt, meanwhile, is only turning it over on 11.7% of their possessions. That’s 15th in the country.

Over the course of the game, that leaves Florida prone to 7 to 10 more turnovers than what Pitt has been doing. That does have a way of coming back to haunt a team.

Block party

Pitt is getting a block on 12% of their opponent’s shots. That is 4th best in the country. Florida’s been doing a solid job of not getting their own shot blocked, having just 4% of their own attempts sent back. That’s 64th best in the country.

Given Florida’s propensity to rebound their misses, having shots that at least find the rim will be imperative.