The backdrop for Florida Basketball heading into its opening round contest with Norfolk State was how "angry" the Spartans were that they were 28.5-point underdogs with the Gators. Seven minutes into the night in Raliegh, Florida made Norfolk State regret every inclination that the Spartans didn't deserve to be a 16-seed.
But after the initial surge, Florida appeared to go on autopilot and spent the next 33 minutes going through the motions. It was enough to beat Norfolk State by 20+ points, but most Gator fans know it won't be enough to prevail as March Madness gets tougher and tougher.
Florida Basketball: Survive And Advance
With four minutes to go in the first half, Florida was up 51-19. According to the broadcast, this was the first time Florida had ever scored 50 or more points in the first half of an NCAA Tournament game.
But from that moment, the Gators appeared to take their foot off the gas and never delivered the definitive moment that killed the spirit of Norfolk State for good.
Don't get it twisted with the idea that Florida was ever in trouble like we saw with Auburn yesterday or Alabama today, but it was a letdown to watch the Gators go up by 32, only to allow an 11-0 run against going into the half.
Even after Alijah Martin stated at halftime that Florida had gotten complacent, the Gators didn't come out with guns blazing in the second half to kill the spirit of Norfolk State right away.
Again, Norfolk State never got closer than 18 points in the second half, so it is not like Florida was ever in danger.
But this is March, and things will ramp up in a hurry. The optimist would say that Florida took their foot off the gas and still topped 90 points. The optimist would also say that Florida benefited from taking its foot off the gas while UConn and Oklahoma will be forced to go full throttle.
Just be reminded that this is March, and the guillotine is always going to be looming and ready to drop.