At the Buzzer: Florida 74, North Florida 59 (Instant Breakdown)
Tuesday, November 5, 2019 | Men's Basketball, Chris Harry
AT THE BUZZER
No. 6 FLORIDA 74, NORTH FLORIDA 59
No. 6 FLORIDA 74, NORTH FLORIDA 59
WHAT HAPPENED: Graduate-transfer Kerry Blackshear Jr. scored 20 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in his UF debut, and the sixth-ranked Gators, with scoring contributions from all but one of its 10-player rotation, defeated the Ospreys in the 2019-20 regular-season opener for both teams Tuesday night at Exactech Arena/O'Connell Center. The 6-foot-10 Blackshear, by way of Virginia Tech, went 8-for-11 from the floor, made his only 3-point attempt and all three free throws, grabbed four offensive rebounds and dished three assists in 32 minutes, thus providing a preview of things to come for a team starving in recent seasons for a dominant presence in the post. Sophomore guard Noah Locke added 14 points, with two of the Gators measly three makes on 15 attempts from the 3-point line (20 percent). Freshman guard Tre Mann was the only other Gator in double figures, finishing with 11 points in his first collegiate game. UNF led, 8-5, less than six minutes into the game, thanks to the home team's 0-for-7 shooting start. UF then led, 12-10, when it reeled off 16 straight points for a 28-10 advantage. The Ospreys cut the margin to 12 inside two minutes left in the half, but the Gators scored seven of the final nine points of the period to take a 17-point lead into the locker room. Florida quickly added to it with the first six points after intermission and led by as many as 24 until UNF got hot from deep by making seven 3s and enough shots in the period (46.7 percent from the floor) to give Coach Mike White something to complain about his defense in the coming days.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The big guy doing everything down low for the Gators. Yes, he's really, really good.
STAGGERING STATISTIC: This Florida team has too many shooters to go 3-for-15 from deep (including 1-for-9) in the second half. Exactly a week ago, UF buried 14 of 29 shots from the arc in the exhibition win against Division II Lynn. Prediction: There will be Gators in the gym taking extra shots the next few days.
UP NEXT: Florida (1-0) stays at home and hosts another in-state opponent, only this time it'll be rival Florida State, which has had its way with the Gators like at no time in the history of the 68-year-old series. The Seminoles, which reached the Sweet 16 in 2019 and the Elite Eight in '18, have defeated the Gators five straight, the longest such run for FSU since the two programs started playing in 1951. FSU opens its season Wednesday with an early Atlantic Coast Conference date against Pittsburgh, part of the league's promotion of the ACC Network.
Players Mentioned
Florida Men's Basketball | Thomas Haugh Is Back
Thursday, April 23
Florida Men's Basketball | Head Coach Todd Golden Media Availability | April 22, 2026
Wednesday, April 22
Todd Golden Media Availability | April 22, 2026
Wednesday, April 22
NCAA Tournament: Postgame Press Conference | Iowa
Sunday, March 22
