Freezing Florida Struggles in 63-51 Loss to FSU

Shooting 28% won't win you many games.

Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Florida’s men’s basketball team woke up Sunday morning to a chilly 62 degree morning. These below-average temperatures carried into the day, resulting in a cold day for all Gainesville residents. This brisk weather found itself inside the O’Connell Center on Sunday afternoon, as the Gators offensive tundra managed to shoot just 28 percent against Florida State, falling to the Seminoles 61-53.

No. 6 Florida (1-1) struggled to communicate effectively, failed to hit outside shots and played like an inexperienced team in its sixth consecutive loss to the Seminoles.

“We’ve got a ways to go,” coach Mike White said after the loss. “Emotional shots, emotional fouls, playing out of character in so many different ways.”

Florida State’s length on defense bothered the Gators offense throughout the game. Keyontae Johnson was Florida’s lone offensive spark of the game, scoring 19 points on 8-12 shooting. Kerry Blackshear Jr. was the Gators’ second leading scorer despite not registering a single field goal the entire game. His 10 points came solely from free throws.

Florida struggled to create in the half-court sets, turning it over 16 times with no other players scoring more than six points.

The Gators’ offense was sluggish and sloppy to open the game. Florida State applied pressure throughout, calling on a full-court press to bother Andrew Nembhard and Florida’s ball handlers. This tenacious defense disrupted the Gators’ half-court offense. Florida began its possessions with less time on the shot-clock, leading to three shot-clock violations in the first half alone. Combine that with one of 11 shooting from beyond the arc and Florida managed a 21 point first half, shooting just 22 percent from the field.

Despite its offensive struggles, the Gators did a good job defensively of tempering FSU’s offense. Florida scored eight points off six Seminole turnovers, while holding Florida State to just six made shots in the half. However, free throws allowed Florida State to pull away early. Florida State scored 10 points to close the first half despite not making a single field goal.

The Gators first half shooting woes only continued into the second. FSU opened the period on a 6-0 run while Florida stayed as cold as Gainesville’s nippy outside weather.

Malik Osbrone extended the lead with six early points for the Seminoles, while RaiQuan Gray hit just the third three pointer of the game to make it an 11-point Seminole lead.

Florida State extended its lead to as large as 14 and the deficit remained in double-figures for the remainder of the game.

Despite notching more rebounds (39-37) and converting more free throws (19-18) than Florida State, the Gators second-half defense and poor shooting resulted in its first loss of the season.

“More than anything, I’ve got to do a better job of putting these guys in position offensively,” White said.