If you look up the definition of a trap game, all the warning signs were in place for Florida Basketball on Saturday. The Gators had just spent the week getting patted on the back after dismantling Tennessee but had to travel to Arkansas and face a squad desperate for a win of their own.
The game officially started at 4:10 ET but it looked like Florida didn't know that. Once the Gators woke up, they managed to pull away, as Florida's size once again kept an opponent from scoring.
Florida Basketball: Size Matters
Four minutes into the game the Gators fell behind 11-2. Walter Clayton was forcing the issue with four missed shots and a turnover in that span and Todd Golden gave a quick hook and subbed him out.
However, after that initial spurt by Arkansas, Florida's size became too much to handle. Arkansas scored their 11th point at the 16:46 mark. They didn't get their 14th point until the 8:56 mark.
It was still far from a smooth operation on the offensive end as the Gators looked lost at times in the half-court, but offensive rebounds once again gave Florida much-needed second-chance points to claw back and take the lead.
Emblematic of the first half struggles was the end of half sequence. Up by five with a chance to take the last shot, Clayton turned it over, and Arkansas was within three heading into the half.
The thing with the Gators this season is that when things do go well, there seems to be a different MVP each night. Saturday, it was Alex Condon's turn to step up, as he was a big reason why Florida cruised in the second half.
With a score of Gators in foul trouble, Condon stepped up, and all 12 of his points and four assists came in the second half. Combined with six of his ten rebounds coming in the second half, along with a block, it was his third double-double of the season.
After shooting just 31% in the first half, the Gators shot 48% in the second half. Florida pulled away to lead by as much as 12 with under two minutes to play.
Next up is Missouri on Tuesday at home.