'Next-Day Takeaway' (Florida State 73, Florida 71)

'THE NEXT-DAY TAKEAWAY'
FLORIDA STATE 73, FLORIDA 71

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Three follow-up observations from FSU's last-second win at the O'Connell Center that dropped the Gators to 8-4 on the season.

1) The day after Thanksgiving, UF defeated Florida Gulf Coast by 20 despite going 5-for-23 from the 3-point line (21.7 percent). In the post-game, Gators coach Mike White was asked about yet another poor shooting outing from deep, to which he said it was time to reevaluate how many 3s his team was shooting, who was shooting them and where they were shooting from. Yes, yes and yes. That was six games ago and the Gators are still clanging away, just once reaching 30 percent in a game (.308 against Oklahoma State). Against FSU, they were 4-for-25. That's 16 percent. Toss out KeVaughn Allen's three of seven and the rest of the team went 1-for-18. That's 5.5 percent. On the season, they're 74 for 270 from deep (.274) and averaging 22.5 long-range attempts per game. Yes, they're getting wide-open looks at times, but why wouldn't they? Opponents scout, too. So don't be surprised if those 3-point attempts are winnowed somewhat once the Southeastern Conference season begins -- UF opens the league slate at home Saturday night against Georgia (and will start ranked last in the SEC in 3-point shooting) -- in favor of more looks inside. Center John Egbunu only got three shot attempts in 25 minutes. He needs more touches; probably at the expense of fewer 3s.

2) Was anyone not surprised at UF's efficiency at the free-throw line in the final minutes? The Gators missed seven of their first 12 free throws of the game and with 10 minutes left stood at 9-for-18 from the line. They went 10-for-11 the rest of the way, including 6-for-6 in the last six minutes with two converted one-and-one opportunities to finish 19 of 29 (65.5 percent). Allen perfect on all nine of his attempts. These guys shoot a lot of free throws at practice. Tons. But like their 3-point marksmanship, the Gators will start the SEC last in the league in free-throw percentage (62.7). Maybe hitting some pressure ones in a tight game will start an uptick.

3) For two straight games, fifth-year senior forward Dorian Finney-Smith has lamented in the post-game about the energy of the team failing to show up until the second half. Against Jacksonville, that was good enough. Against Florida State, playing the last 15 minutes at absolute warp speed at both ends was good enough to battle from 13 down and lose on a last-second shot. Clearly, there's a lesson to be learned, but the Gators need to learn it. Quickly. Those 15 minutes are the blueprint from which White wants his first UF system to operate. It's his No. 1 talking point. Now, it's probably unrealistic to think the Gators can go that hard for 40 minutes -- for now, just imagine the difference 30 minutes like that would make -- and yet that is White's expectation. That was what his teams at Louisiana Tech were built on and where he wants to go with his Florida program.

Gators Calendar

'Next-Day Takeaway' (Florida State 73, Florida 71)

Players Mentioned

KeVaughn Allen

John Egbunu

Dorian Finney-Smith

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