At the Buzzer: Florida 94, Arkansas-Little Rock 71 (Instant Analysis)
Wednesday, December 21, 2016 | Men's Basketball, Chris Harry
The Gators christened the renovated Exactech Arena/O'Connell Center with a win Wednesday night.
AT THE BUZZER
FLORIDA 94, ARKANSAS-LITTLE ROCK 71
WHAT HAPPENED: The packed, sold-out spanking new Exactech Arena/O'Connell Center got a rout Wednesday night worthy of the hype that accompanied the grand reopening of the Gators' home. UF scored the game's first nine points and was never challenged, opening a 29-point halftime lead, thanks to 69 percent shooting and a barrage of 3-point shots that led to a season-high point total. Junior forward Devin Robinson poured in a career-high 21 points on 7-for-11 shooting from the floor and 4-for-5 from the 3-point, leading five teammates into double figures. Senior point guard Kasey Hill posted the first double-double of his career with 11 points and 11 assists. Sophomore guard KeVaughn Allen was good for 19 points, scoring 13 of his team's first 20, and going 4-for-5 from deep.
WHAT IT MEANS: UF successfully navigated a 12-game non-league schedule rated the second-hardest in the nation by winning nine times and avoiding the kind of cringing upsets to mid- and low-major programs often seen on highlights shows this time of year. The Gators' losses came to a trio of opponents currently ranked in the Top 25 (No. 5 Duke, No. 8 Gonzaga and at No. 21 Florida State). And they did it by playing 11 of those 12 games away from home. As for the bigger picture? As in the new arena? That cannot be quantified in this space.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The O'Dome. Give the Gators credit for answering the bell from the jump on such a big night for the program and the university, something Coach Mike White was concerned about, especially with holiday break pending. But just calling it like it is, the buzz of the night wasn't so much about the first home game of the season as it was the chance to see the new dome and home (cost $64.5 million).
STAGGERING STATISTIC: Coming in, the most 3-pointers the Gators had made this season was nine. They hit 16 against the Trojans, which was two off the single-game school record. UF finished 16-for-31 from the arc.
UP NEXT: Florida (9-3) will meet and practice early Thursday morning, then break for the holidays. The Gators will return Monday night and get ready for the Dec. 29 Southeastern Conference opener three days later at Arkansas (10-1). The Razorbacks are expected to make some noise in the league this season, having just upset Texas on the road over the weekend. Their final game before the break is Thursday night against Sam Houston State.
FLORIDA 94, ARKANSAS-LITTLE ROCK 71
WHAT HAPPENED: The packed, sold-out spanking new Exactech Arena/O'Connell Center got a rout Wednesday night worthy of the hype that accompanied the grand reopening of the Gators' home. UF scored the game's first nine points and was never challenged, opening a 29-point halftime lead, thanks to 69 percent shooting and a barrage of 3-point shots that led to a season-high point total. Junior forward Devin Robinson poured in a career-high 21 points on 7-for-11 shooting from the floor and 4-for-5 from the 3-point, leading five teammates into double figures. Senior point guard Kasey Hill posted the first double-double of his career with 11 points and 11 assists. Sophomore guard KeVaughn Allen was good for 19 points, scoring 13 of his team's first 20, and going 4-for-5 from deep.
WHAT IT MEANS: UF successfully navigated a 12-game non-league schedule rated the second-hardest in the nation by winning nine times and avoiding the kind of cringing upsets to mid- and low-major programs often seen on highlights shows this time of year. The Gators' losses came to a trio of opponents currently ranked in the Top 25 (No. 5 Duke, No. 8 Gonzaga and at No. 21 Florida State). And they did it by playing 11 of those 12 games away from home. As for the bigger picture? As in the new arena? That cannot be quantified in this space.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The O'Dome. Give the Gators credit for answering the bell from the jump on such a big night for the program and the university, something Coach Mike White was concerned about, especially with holiday break pending. But just calling it like it is, the buzz of the night wasn't so much about the first home game of the season as it was the chance to see the new dome and home (cost $64.5 million).
STAGGERING STATISTIC: Coming in, the most 3-pointers the Gators had made this season was nine. They hit 16 against the Trojans, which was two off the single-game school record. UF finished 16-for-31 from the arc.
UP NEXT: Florida (9-3) will meet and practice early Thursday morning, then break for the holidays. The Gators will return Monday night and get ready for the Dec. 29 Southeastern Conference opener three days later at Arkansas (10-1). The Razorbacks are expected to make some noise in the league this season, having just upset Texas on the road over the weekend. Their final game before the break is Thursday night against Sam Houston State.
Players Mentioned
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