At the Buzzer: Florida 66, Tennessee 49 (Instant Analysis)
Sunday, March 1, 2015 | Men's Basketball, Chris Harry
AT THE BUZZER
FLORIDA 66, TENNESSEE 49
WHAT HAPPENED: At Gainesville, the Gators took off from the opening tip and ran away from the Volunteers in a wipe-out win worthy of Coach Billy Donovan's 500th career Division I victory. The 49-year-old Donovan, in his 19th season at UF and 21st overall, made it to the milestone younger than any coach in college other than Hall-of-Famer Bobby Knight, who reached it at 48. Junior forward Dorian Finney-Smith returned from a three-game suspension to rack his third double-double of the season with 20 points and 10 rebounds, hitting six of his 10 shots, including his first four 3-pointers. The Gators raced to an 18-point first half lead and were never really challenged after. Junior guard Eli Carter and senior centr Jon Horford each had 11 points, as the Gators shot 57 percent for the game.
WHAT IT MEANS: With just their second win in the last eight, the Gators pulled into a tie with Alabama for what would be the seventh seed in the SEC Tournament next month in Nashville. More than that, UF played its wire-to-wire best and most energetic conference game, so it can take that momentum in the final week of the regular season, come what may. Now, if the Gators can just guard Michael Frazier II back from that ankle injury.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: With Finney-Smith suspended the last three games, the Gators averaged just 55 points and shot just 35.9 percent from the floor and 25.7 from the 3-point line. Think the offense looked any better with "Doe-Doe" back in the fold? If nothing else, his mere presence -- both floating in the post and spoting up behind the 3-point arc -- gave the offense more options.
STAGGERING STATISTIC: How 'bout 63.6 percent from the 3-point line in the first half? UF went 7-for-11 from distance, but also 16-for-23 overall (69.6 percent) to open an 18-point halftime lead. Carter and Finney-Smith combined to drop five of their seven from out there.
UP NEXT: Florida (14-15, 7-9) will play its final home game Tuesday night against Texas A&M (19-8, 10-5) when the Gators will honor a couple walk-ons, Jake Kurtz and Lexx Edwards, on "Senior Night." The Aggies have a late Saturday home game against Auburn.
