Graphic: Scott MacCord/UAA Communications
At the Buzzer: Florida 65, Virginia 39 (Instant Breakdown)
Saturday, March 18, 2017 | Men's Basketball, Chris Harry
The Gators destroyed the Cavaliers in one of the most lopsided NCAA wins in program history.
AT THE BUZZER
NCAA East Region (Second Round)
FLORIDA 65, VIRGINIA 39
WHAT HAPPENED: A UF buzzsaw happened, that's what. It began revving up with about five minutes to go in the first half, as the fourth-seeded Gators took off to score 21 straight points spanning the halves on the way to a never-in-doubt victory in the NCAA East Region at Amway Center and berth in the Sweet 16. Forwards Justin Leon and Devin Robinson both had double-doubles, combining for 28 points and 21 rebounds, as the Gators shredded the nation's No. 2-rated defense by shooting 46 percent from the floor (and hitting 8 3-point shots) and used their own defense, No. 4 nationally, to bewilder the Cavaliers into just 29.6 percent from the floor, including 1-for-15 from the 3-point line (7 percent). Robinson, two nights after tying his career-high of 24 points in first-round play against East Tennessee State, had a double-double of 14 points and 11 rebounds.
WHAT IT MEANS: UF is in the Sweet 16 for the 10th time in school history (11 when factoring in the 1987 run, the first ever for the program, that was vacated due to NCAA sanctions). Also, the 26 wins ties the 2011-12 team for the fifth-most in school history and gives Coach Mike White 47 victories in his two seasons, which is the most in Southeastern Conference history through a first two years for a non-Kentucky head coach. Florida improved to 11-1 all-time -- with eight straight victories -- when playing NCAA Tournament games in its home state.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Leon had scored just 15 points over the previous four games and hit just two of eight 3-point shots along the way. The Gators needed some production from the power forward position, especially against the undersized Cavs, and Leon delivered with 14 points and 10 boards. During UF's 12-0 run to end the half he scored eight straight, with an old-time 3-point play, two free throws, and a swished long ball.
STAGGERING STATISTIC: Virginia had 17 points in the first half -- 17! -- as Florida finished the period on a 12-0 run. The Cavs shot only 28.6 percent for the half, allowing UF to take a 14-point lead to the locker room. UVA's leading scorer, senior point guard London Perrantes, had two points in the first half and finished the night with just six on 2-for-12 shooting and 0-for-4 from the arc.
UP NEXT: Florida (26-8) will face No. 8-seed Wisconsin in East Region quarterfinals Friday night at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The Badgers got there by defeating 9-seed Virginia Tech in the opening round, then shocking No. 1 seed and defending national champion Villanova 65-62 Saturday in Buffalo.
NCAA East Region (Second Round)
FLORIDA 65, VIRGINIA 39
WHAT HAPPENED: A UF buzzsaw happened, that's what. It began revving up with about five minutes to go in the first half, as the fourth-seeded Gators took off to score 21 straight points spanning the halves on the way to a never-in-doubt victory in the NCAA East Region at Amway Center and berth in the Sweet 16. Forwards Justin Leon and Devin Robinson both had double-doubles, combining for 28 points and 21 rebounds, as the Gators shredded the nation's No. 2-rated defense by shooting 46 percent from the floor (and hitting 8 3-point shots) and used their own defense, No. 4 nationally, to bewilder the Cavaliers into just 29.6 percent from the floor, including 1-for-15 from the 3-point line (7 percent). Robinson, two nights after tying his career-high of 24 points in first-round play against East Tennessee State, had a double-double of 14 points and 11 rebounds.
WHAT IT MEANS: UF is in the Sweet 16 for the 10th time in school history (11 when factoring in the 1987 run, the first ever for the program, that was vacated due to NCAA sanctions). Also, the 26 wins ties the 2011-12 team for the fifth-most in school history and gives Coach Mike White 47 victories in his two seasons, which is the most in Southeastern Conference history through a first two years for a non-Kentucky head coach. Florida improved to 11-1 all-time -- with eight straight victories -- when playing NCAA Tournament games in its home state.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Leon had scored just 15 points over the previous four games and hit just two of eight 3-point shots along the way. The Gators needed some production from the power forward position, especially against the undersized Cavs, and Leon delivered with 14 points and 10 boards. During UF's 12-0 run to end the half he scored eight straight, with an old-time 3-point play, two free throws, and a swished long ball.
STAGGERING STATISTIC: Virginia had 17 points in the first half -- 17! -- as Florida finished the period on a 12-0 run. The Cavs shot only 28.6 percent for the half, allowing UF to take a 14-point lead to the locker room. UVA's leading scorer, senior point guard London Perrantes, had two points in the first half and finished the night with just six on 2-for-12 shooting and 0-for-4 from the arc.
UP NEXT: Florida (26-8) will face No. 8-seed Wisconsin in East Region quarterfinals Friday night at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The Badgers got there by defeating 9-seed Virginia Tech in the opening round, then shocking No. 1 seed and defending national champion Villanova 65-62 Saturday in Buffalo.
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