In our prediction for Florida Basketball ahead of facing Missouri, we noted that the Tigers were a team that would get to the free-throw line a ton and were also a high shooting percentage team.
We picked Florida to win 85-72 because we thought the depth of size for the Gators would pull through and Missouri’s liability at defensive rebounding would let Florida pull away.
Instead, Missouri came out looking like Steph Curry for the first 15 minutes and it built just enough of a cushion the Gators couldn't overcome as Florida fell 83-82.
Florida Basketball: 2-2
Florida didn't play great, but they didn't play THAT poorly. But with 7:23 left in the first half they found themselves down 42-23 in large part because Caleb Grill literally couldn't miss.
Some shots were left open, but it didn't matter if Grill had a hand in his face as the career 35% shooter from three hit 6-10 from deep on the night to score 22 points off the bench.
Florida struggled at times to find a rhythm, and perhaps the most surprising statistic of the night was that Missouri had 15 offensive rebounds compared to Florida’s 13.
But Florida did start to claw back behind Walter Clayton’s 28 points and Florida pulled within three with eight minutes to play. Three key moments in the second half sank the comeback bid for the Gators:
1. Lane violation on Florida off a missed free throw on the front end of a one-and-one gave Missouri two points
2. Clayton was fouled on a three, but missed the first two free throws
3. Grill made a “three” where his foot was on the line
Those five points loomed large as Florida fell by one the break their 16 game home winning streak.
Florida will be back on the court Saturday at home to take on Texas.