Florida Basketball is set take to take on Auburn at 6:09 PM in the Final Four. It is the first time since 2014 the Gators have been in the Final Four and this is the first time ever two SEC teams have squared off in a Final Four.
Todd Golden and Bruce Pearl gave press conferences on Friday, and here are the most notable quotes from both.
Bruce Pearl on the Florida Gators
Florida’s dominant win in the first matchup:
“I thought Florida outplayed us… They banged 13 threes, had 22 assists, their front line played with tremendous physicality and outplayed us… They scored 90. So their depth I think was a factor.”
Auburn’s growth since the loss:
“I don’t know that we’ve improved that much. Maybe we know a little bit more of who we are and what we have to do in order to win that game.”
The physical battle to come:
“They have five bigs that they rotate… Right now we’re rotating three. They’re going to put a lot of bodies on Johni Broome. They know it. We know it. He knows it. We’re ready for it.”
Bruce Pearl on Todd Golden and their long stand relationship:
“Even though I only had Todd for two years, he helped lay the foundation... I was one of the first to hold his son. There’s a close connection.”
Todd Golden coaching against his mentor Bruce Pearl:
“It’s special… Someone that has been so impactful to my life, both basketball-wise and off the court… Competing against your mentor for a trip to go to the national championship game—it’s pretty special.”
Todd Golden on Florida’s Identity
Recruiting Johni Broome and Walter Clayton Jr.:
“We’d have been happy to have him [Broome]… I’m happy for him at Auburn and the success he’s had.”
“With the transfer legislation the way it is… it takes getting a little older for those guys to really be able to impact at a high, high level.”
On using analytics to guide the program:
“From a macro perspective, we try to view everything we do through an analytical lens… We think smart wins.”
Golden on Team Chemistry and Leadership
Why this team is special:
“Our individual talent on the roster is really good… but the thing that separates us is what we call our team talent.”
Alijah Martin’s competitive spirit:
“The guys call him ‘Crash Out’ for a reason… His addition has lifted us to another level.”
The Road to the Final Four
Rebounding from last year’s early exit:
“We had a sour taste in our mouth at the end of the year… This group had a chance to do something special.”
What it will take to beat Auburn again:
“We have to play hard, defend well, be physical, rebound well, take care of the ball… The great thing is we have shot-makers—and you have to make shots to win the game.”