Here's what went down with Gators basketball.
At the Buzzer: Florida 91, Eckerd College 63 (Instant Analysis)
Wednesday, October 26, 2016 | Men's Basketball, Chris Harry
The Gators semi-opened their 2016-17 season Wednesday with an exhibition game in Jacksonville.
AT THE BUZZER
FLORIDA 91, ECKERD COLLEGE 63
WHAT HAPPENED: The Gators started slowly (really slowly) -- as in trailing the Division II Tritons at halftime -- but unleashed their fullcourt pressure after the break and ran away from their Sunshine State Conference opponent in an exhibition game at Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville. UF put six players in double-figures, led by junior center John Egbunu's 18 points (on 8-for-10 shooting) to go with 13 rebounds. Junior forward Devin Robinson had 12 points and eight rebounds. Florida was down by one at halftime, but came out in a press and basically stayed in it until the game was safely in blowout territory. UF forced 24 turnovers, including 14 in the second half, leading to 31 points.
WHAT IT MEANS: A 26th straight win in exhibition play doesn't mean much of anything, other than providing a reference point from which to work as the start of the 2016-17 season closes in. There will be things to focus on (see below). The outing also provided the Gators a chance to get acquainted with the venue they'll play their first two games of the regular season as the $64.5 million renovation to the O'Connell Center winds down.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Graduate transfer Canyon Barry, like his team, was slow to get going and his numbers (2-for-10 from the floor, 1-for-5 from the arc, 1 rebound, 1 assist) weren't very good. He even missed one of his underhanded free throws. The fifth-year senior by way of College of Charleston, though, is going to be fine. He demonstrated his underrated ability to drive the ball and probably is done missing dunks and tipping balls into the other team's basket, like he did in the final minute of the game. Barry finished with 11 points, including 6-for-7 from the free-throw line.
STAGGERING STATISTIC: Eckerd made 14 of its 26 first-half shots (that's 53.8 percent) and scored 20 points in the paint to grab its 34-33 lead at the break. Given how poorly UF defended in its first two intrasquad scrimmages -- 61.3 percent in the first, 50 percent in the second -- defense figures to be a topic of conversation when the Gators return to the practice floor.
UP NEXT: Florida will play UAB in a closed scrimmage Saturday in Destin, Fla., then turn its attention to the regular-season opener Nov. 11 against Florida Gulf Coast at Veterans Memorial Arena.
FLORIDA 91, ECKERD COLLEGE 63
WHAT HAPPENED: The Gators started slowly (really slowly) -- as in trailing the Division II Tritons at halftime -- but unleashed their fullcourt pressure after the break and ran away from their Sunshine State Conference opponent in an exhibition game at Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville. UF put six players in double-figures, led by junior center John Egbunu's 18 points (on 8-for-10 shooting) to go with 13 rebounds. Junior forward Devin Robinson had 12 points and eight rebounds. Florida was down by one at halftime, but came out in a press and basically stayed in it until the game was safely in blowout territory. UF forced 24 turnovers, including 14 in the second half, leading to 31 points.
WHAT IT MEANS: A 26th straight win in exhibition play doesn't mean much of anything, other than providing a reference point from which to work as the start of the 2016-17 season closes in. There will be things to focus on (see below). The outing also provided the Gators a chance to get acquainted with the venue they'll play their first two games of the regular season as the $64.5 million renovation to the O'Connell Center winds down.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Graduate transfer Canyon Barry, like his team, was slow to get going and his numbers (2-for-10 from the floor, 1-for-5 from the arc, 1 rebound, 1 assist) weren't very good. He even missed one of his underhanded free throws. The fifth-year senior by way of College of Charleston, though, is going to be fine. He demonstrated his underrated ability to drive the ball and probably is done missing dunks and tipping balls into the other team's basket, like he did in the final minute of the game. Barry finished with 11 points, including 6-for-7 from the free-throw line.
STAGGERING STATISTIC: Eckerd made 14 of its 26 first-half shots (that's 53.8 percent) and scored 20 points in the paint to grab its 34-33 lead at the break. Given how poorly UF defended in its first two intrasquad scrimmages -- 61.3 percent in the first, 50 percent in the second -- defense figures to be a topic of conversation when the Gators return to the practice floor.
UP NEXT: Florida will play UAB in a closed scrimmage Saturday in Destin, Fla., then turn its attention to the regular-season opener Nov. 11 against Florida Gulf Coast at Veterans Memorial Arena.
Players Mentioned
G
/ Men's Basketball
C
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's BasketballFlorida Gymnastics | Riley McCusker STUNS with 9.925 on Bars 🤩
Wednesday, January 21
Florida Track & Field | Tyra Cox, Quincy Penn and Sydney Sutton Sweep Women's 300m 😮💨
Tuesday, January 20
Florida Baseball | It's On.
Tuesday, January 20
Florida Men's Basketball | Rueben Chinyelu Media Availability
Tuesday, January 20
