At the Buzzer: Missouri 91, Florida 75 (Instant Breakdown)
Saturday, January 11, 2020 | Men's Basketball, Chris Harry
AT THE BUZZER
MISSOURI 91, FLORIDA 75
MISSOURI 91, FLORIDA 75
WHAT HAPPENED: One of the statistically worst offensive teams in the Southeastern Conference looked anything but Saturday night, as the Tigers shredded the Gators with 61.5-percent shooting, including a ridiculous 12-for-19 from the 3-point line (63.2 percent), to hand UF its first league loss in a game that was never close at Mizzou Arena. Guard Mark Smith led the Tigers with 22 points, while backup guard Javon Pickett added 14 more, but this was really a team-wide onslaught against a UF program that prides itself on playing defense. Missouri, which never trailed, came into the game scoring 66.7 points and shooting 42.6 percent from the floor, both ranked next to last in the SEC. Against Florida, the Tigers equaled their season high in points (set earlier this year against Chicago State) and led by double digits from the 8:28 minute mark of the first half to the end of the game.. Smith dropped a 3-ball 17 seconds into the game and the home team never looked back on the way to leading by as many as 18 in the first period. Twice the Gators got within 11, but both times the Tigers knifed whatever ideas the visitors had of a comeback by hitting 3s. Twice Missouri had sprees where it hit six straight shots; once in each half. UF was led by grad-transfer forward Kerry Blackshear Jr.'s 22 points and four rebounds, along with 12 from sophomore guard Noah Locke. Freshman forward Scottie Lewis had 11 points and was 8-for-8 from the free-throw line. The Gators shot just 38.5 percent from the floor and made 10 3s. They needed a bunch more.
WHAT IT MEANS: The end of UF's three-game winning streak and the first loss in three SEC games. Given Missouri was missing its top big man, 6-foot-10, 260-pound Jeremiah Tilmon (9.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.3 blocks per game), it can be said the Gators missed out on an opportunity to steal a league road game, which are as difficult as they are precious. Then again, they basically were never in this one, thanks to the combination of Mizzou shooting and generous Florida defense. Coach Mike White will have to wait another game for his next crack at UF win No. 100.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: So good and in such a good rhythm the last three games, sophomore point guard Andrew Nembhard had a tough night (like his teammates) against an aggressive Missouri defense, statistically one of the best in the name. Nembhard, who was averaging better than 16 points and nine assists since returning from holiday break, scored eight points on 2-for-6 shooting, had four assists and four turnovers in 30 minutes. Those downhill drives in the lane weren't there against the Tigers.
STAGGERING STATISTIC: The Tigers averaged 59 points through their first two SEC games, but almost had that by halftime (51 points on 18-for-30 shooting, including 8-for-11 from deep) against the Gators. The offensive onslaught the Tigers put on the Gators was instantaneous. Missouri built a 15-point lead at halftime by coming within 15 points of their season's average for points-per game. Florida actually cut what was an 18-point lead to 11 with 1:28 to go before the break, but Mizzou bombed back-to-back 3s in the final minute, part of an 8-for-10 spree to finish the period. The Tigers' eight 3s at the half equaled their most in all but three of their previous 14 games this season.
UP NEXT: Florida (10-5, 2-1), after back-to-back SEC road games, is home for two straight, starting Tuesday night against Ole Miss (9-6, 0-2), which lost Saturday night to a very good, high-scoring Arkansas at home. The second of the two games -- next Saturday on CBS -- will be an afternoon showdown against currently unbeaten and fifth-ranked Auburn (15-0, 3-0).
Players Mentioned
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