The UF basketball team huddles at the end of Monday night's first practice back after the holiday break.
Harry Fodder: Egbunu, Gators Back Get Back to Work
Monday, December 26, 2016 | Men's Basketball, Chris Harry
UF reported back from holiday break and practiced Monday night.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The Florida basketball team reported back from the holiday break Monday and immediately hit the practice floor. The entire team, including center John Egbunu.
In the two games Egbunu was sidelined he was replaced in the starting lineup by 6-9, 220-pound sophomore Kevarrius Hayes, who averaged 10 points, 6.5 rebounds and hit eight of 10 field-goal attempts. Hayes had a terrific practice Monday.
As far as playing for real, the No. 25 Gators (9-3) open the Southeastern Conference schedule Thursday night with a date at Arkansas (11-1). Ten of the league's 14 teams will be in action Thursday, making for first time since the 1991-92 season the SEC is starting the conference schedule before the start of the new calendar year.
Despite playing just one home game — the much-hyped and sold-out grand reopening of Exactech Arena/O'Connell Center on Wednesday, a 94-71 win over Arkansas-Little Rock — the Gators have avoided any face-plants against mid- or low-major opponents, with their lone losses coming against a trio teams currently ranked in the Top 25: Duke (5th) and Gonzaga (7th), both on neutral floors, and at Florida State (20th). All three of the losses were competitive, with the Gonzaga and FSU games decided by four and five points, respectively.
"I think we're in a good place right now," senior point guard Kasey Hill said Monday night.
Coach Mike White agrees. He likes the team's makeup, chemistry and lack of personal agendas, saying as much in his post-game remarks after the UALR victory. UF is a solid defensive team, though prone to periodic lapses. Offensively, the Gators are better than a year ago, but can slip into scoring slumps and are inconsistent when it comes to shooting the 3-pointer (the 16-for-31 effort in the O'Dome opener notwithstanding).
At SEC Media Days in October, Florida was picked to finish second in the league, and is one of two teams (along with No. 8 Kentucky) currently ranked, jumping back into the Associated Press poll Monday after being absent from it for a couple weeks. Arkansas, with just a lone loss at Minnesota, is in the also-receiving-votes category.
SOUTHEASTERN CONFERENCE STANDINGS
(Through the non-league schedule)
| Team | Record (Pct.) | SEC Opener |
| Arkansas | 11-1 (.917) | Florida (Thurs) |
| Auburn | 10-2 (.833) | Georgia (Thurs) |
| Kentucky | 10-2 (.833) | @Ole Miss (Thurs) |
| South Carolina | 9-2 (.818) | @Georgia (Jan. 4) |
| Florida | 9-3 (.750) | @Arkansas (Thurs) |
| Ole Miss | 9-3 (.750) | Kentucky (Thurs) |
| LSU | 8-3 (.727) | Vanderbilt (Thurs) |
| Mississippi State | 8-3 (.727) | Alabama (Jan. 3) |
| Texas A&M | 8-3 (.727) | Tennessee (Thurs) |
| Georgia | 8-4 (.666) | @Auburn (Thurs) |
| Tennessee | 7-5 (.583) | @Texas A&M (Thurs) |
| Alabama | 6-5 (.545) | @Mississippi State (Jan. 3) |
| Vanderbilt | 6-6 (.500) | @LSU (Thurs) |
| Missouri | 5-6 (.454) | LSU (Jan. 4) |
Players Mentioned
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