At the Buzzer: Kentucky 66, Florida 57 (Instant Breakdown)
Saturday, March 9, 2019 | Men's Basketball, Chris Harry
AT THE BUZZER
No. 6 KENTUCKY 66, FLORIDA 57
No. 6 KENTUCKY 66, FLORIDA 57
WHAT HAPPENED: Four UK players scored in double figure, as the sixth-ranked Wildcats got hot midway through the second half and stepped up their defense during a 15-2 blitz that turned a tight game into a double-digit lead and eventually sent the visiting Gators down in defeat Saturday at sold-out Rupp Arena. UF led 40-39 six minutes into the second half when UK started its spree with a 3-point play from sophomore forward PJ Washington, followed by two free throws from freshman point guard Ashton Hagins. After a basket by UF redshirt freshman forward Isaiah Stokes, the Cats reeled off 10 straight points and took off on one of their vintage "Rupp Runs" to go up by 12 with less than five minutes to go. Such leads are virtually impossible to erase at Lexington. Florida was led by senior center Kevarrius Hayes, who scored a season-high 17 points on 8-for-9 shooting, to go with five rebounds and three blocked shots. The Gators shot 48 percent in the first half, but fell back to only 41 percent after intermission, including a seven-minute stretch when they did not score. They also finished just 3-for-18 from the 3-point line. The Cats were led by Washington's 15 points and nine rebounds, plus 16 points by freshman guard Tyler Herro, and 14 a piece from freshman guard Keldon Johnson. UK shot only 41 percent for the game, but smashed UF on the glass, 39-23, including an 11-5 edge on the offensive end.
WHAT IT MEANS: After winning a season-best five straight games to seemingly assure themselves of an NCAA Tournament at-large berth, the Gators ended the regular season with three consecutive losses -- one to bottom-feeding Georgia, then two to a pair of top-10 teams in LSU and Kentucky -- and now need to win at least one, more likely two games in the SEC Tournament next week to get back in the tournament picture. Florida, which may actually have its NET ranking inch up (as it did after Wednesday's loss to the Tigers) because of the Wildcats' high NET mark, fell to 1-8 against ranked opponents this season.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Three days after erupting for a season-high 33 points in the overtime loss to LSU, fifth-year senior swingman Jalen Hudson struggled to put the ball in the basket against UK's enormous defense, finishing with 13 points on six of 16 shooting from the floor, including 0-for-5 on his 3-point shots.
STAGGERING STATISTIC: The currious case of KeVaughn Allen continues. Allen entered the game having made just eight of his previous 35 shots dating back four games. UF's leading scorer (and No. 6 scorer in school history) did not attempt a field goal in the second half of the 79-78 overtime loss Wednesday against LSU (on his "Senior Night") and infamously was caught with the ball in his hands, after passing up an open jumper, as time expired. His first field goal Saturday came at 15:14 mark of the second half, a 3-pointer, and was Allen's first field goal in 54 minutes of play, going back to the 19:06 mark of the first half against LSU. Allen finished with three points in 24 minutes and missed five of his six field-goal attempts. Make that eight of his past 41 from the floor (19.5 percent).
UP NEXT: Florida (17-14, 9-9) will be either the No. 7 or 8 seed in the SEC Tournament next week in Nashville, Tenn., and will open in the second round Thursday against either Alabama for Arkansas, pending results from later Saturday. The winner will advance to Friday and face either No. 1 overall seed, likely LSU, or the No. 2 seed, likely Kentucky, both of which will have a double bye into the quarterfinals.
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