There is an alternate universe where the Florida Gators are undefeated and are the No. 1 team in the country. In this universe, the Gators are labeled gritty with a championship mindset that knows how to close out games. UConn coach Dan Hurley had said prior to Tuesday’s matchup that Florida had the “heart of a champion” during their March Madness run last season.
But we don’t live in that universe; we live in the one where Florida dropped another close game it had every opportunity to win. And once again, it was an all too familiar flaw that led to a 77-73 defeat.
Florida falls to 5-4 on the season
Xaivian Lee had his breakout performance since arriving in Gainesville and led the way with 19 points, six rebounds, five assists, and even had two steals. Thomas Haugh had 18 points while Alex Condon had 14 points. Rueben Chinyelu had 11 rebounds to go with his eight points.
But, as has been the case all season long, Florida couldn’t buy a basket from beyond the arc. The Gators were 4-15 from three, including Lee going 1-7.
And despite that, as has been the case in all four of Florida’s losses this season, Florida had the ball with under a minute to go with a chance to tie the game with a three. But just like against Duke, a Florida turnover killed off any chance of getting that shot. In this case, it was a five-second call trying to inbound the ball that ended Florida’s hopes.
After the game, Todd Golden claimed, “I thought they called it early, man, to be honest. I challenge everybody to time it and see what they come up with,” but that’s not the reason why Florida lost again.
As Golden would later admit in his press conference, “I thought we had an opportunity in the second half to extend when we took a little bit of a lead and missed some shots. Then Reuben’s free throws late hurt.”
Indeed, Chinyelu was 0-4 from the line, and when it came down to it, the Huskies made their threes (8-18) and made their free throws down the stretch.
Florida will have four games at home, all against mid-majors, to close out the non-conference before opening SEC play against Missouri on January 3.