At the Buzzer: Duke 84, Florida 74 (Instant Analysis)
Tuesday, December 6, 2016 | Men's Basketball, Chris Harry
The Gators played powerhouse Duke for the first time in nearly 17 years Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden.
AT THE BUZZER
No. 5 DUKE 84, No. 21 FLORIDA 74
WHAT HAPPENED: A three-man show of some guys who seemed right at home in an NBA arena they'll likely be visiting in the future. Unfortunately for the Gators, the three all played for the Blue Devils. The Duke trio of sophomore forward Luke Kennard, fifth-year forward Amile Jefferson and freshman forward Jayson Tatum combined to score 75 points, making 29 of their 42 field-goal attempts from the floor in front a very pro-Duke crowd at Madison Square Garden. The Blue Devils took control of the game in the final five minutes of the first half, when they closed the period with a 15-3 run to go up 10. Each time UF tried to inch closer in the second half, either Kennard (29 points) or Jefferson (24 points, 15 rebounds) had an answer, as the Gators got no closer than six. Tatum, who made his collegiate debut just four days ago, got a bunch of his point late. Florida was led by sophomore guard KeVaughn Allen's 21 points. Senior point guard Kasey Hill had 13 points, seven rebounds and six assists. Junior center John Egbunu had nine points and 12 rebounds.
WHAT IT MEANS: No shame in losing to Duke. Even in defeat, this one will score some RPI "brownie" points down the line, if the Gators are fortunate enough to be in the NCAA Tournament mix come March.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Kennard had a career-high 35 in Duke's wipeout of Maine Friday night. Now he chases it with 29 against a Top 25 team. He's an early candidate (yes, very early) for NCAA Player of the Year.
STAGGERING STATISTIC: When you're as talented as Duke -- with eight McDonald's All-Americans -- it's pretty staggering when three guys account for 89 percent of the team's scoring in a game. The Blue Devils' other five players totaled nine points on 3-for-15 from the floor. Kennard, Jefferson and Tatum, by the way, outscored the entire UF team by a point.
UP NEXT: Florida (7-2) will stay in the Atlantic Coast Conference with a date Sunday against rival Florida State at Tallahassee. The Seminoles (8-1) smashed Southern Miss 98-49 earlier Tuesday night and have a home game Thursday against Nichols. FSU has won two straight in the series, including last year's 73-71 thriller in Gainesville, where guard Duane Bacon hit a jumpshot with four seconds left.
No. 5 DUKE 84, No. 21 FLORIDA 74
WHAT HAPPENED: A three-man show of some guys who seemed right at home in an NBA arena they'll likely be visiting in the future. Unfortunately for the Gators, the three all played for the Blue Devils. The Duke trio of sophomore forward Luke Kennard, fifth-year forward Amile Jefferson and freshman forward Jayson Tatum combined to score 75 points, making 29 of their 42 field-goal attempts from the floor in front a very pro-Duke crowd at Madison Square Garden. The Blue Devils took control of the game in the final five minutes of the first half, when they closed the period with a 15-3 run to go up 10. Each time UF tried to inch closer in the second half, either Kennard (29 points) or Jefferson (24 points, 15 rebounds) had an answer, as the Gators got no closer than six. Tatum, who made his collegiate debut just four days ago, got a bunch of his point late. Florida was led by sophomore guard KeVaughn Allen's 21 points. Senior point guard Kasey Hill had 13 points, seven rebounds and six assists. Junior center John Egbunu had nine points and 12 rebounds.
WHAT IT MEANS: No shame in losing to Duke. Even in defeat, this one will score some RPI "brownie" points down the line, if the Gators are fortunate enough to be in the NCAA Tournament mix come March.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Kennard had a career-high 35 in Duke's wipeout of Maine Friday night. Now he chases it with 29 against a Top 25 team. He's an early candidate (yes, very early) for NCAA Player of the Year.
STAGGERING STATISTIC: When you're as talented as Duke -- with eight McDonald's All-Americans -- it's pretty staggering when three guys account for 89 percent of the team's scoring in a game. The Blue Devils' other five players totaled nine points on 3-for-15 from the floor. Kennard, Jefferson and Tatum, by the way, outscored the entire UF team by a point.
UP NEXT: Florida (7-2) will stay in the Atlantic Coast Conference with a date Sunday against rival Florida State at Tallahassee. The Seminoles (8-1) smashed Southern Miss 98-49 earlier Tuesday night and have a home game Thursday against Nichols. FSU has won two straight in the series, including last year's 73-71 thriller in Gainesville, where guard Duane Bacon hit a jumpshot with four seconds left.
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