Florida rides on a five-game winning line, with each victory with at least nine points and the closest coming on the road to No. 1 Auburn.
No. 2 Gators will try to continue to build speed when they meet LSU on Saturday in Baton Rouge, LA.
Florida (23-3, 10-3 Southeastern Conference) began its winning driving in the wake of a 64-44 defeat at then no. 8 Tennessee on February 1st.
“We didn’t lose any confidence after that game,” said Florida coach Todd Golden. “We didn’t shook. It allowed us to calibrate and focus on defending, recovering, taking care of the ball, things we know corresponds to winning.
“This league is the best league in college basketball in 20 years. You will encounter some tough opponents. Tennessee on their home floor is a tough game, and we didn’t play so well that day, but we have obviously played really well since then. ”
Gators have made at least 10 3 points in each match during the winning line and hit a total of 63 in 150 trials (42.0 percent). Their seasonal average from long range is only 35.2 percent.
“We’ve shot the ball really well in recent weeks,” Golden said. “And when we do it … Our team has the ability to get some really good runs and get some spurts.”
Florida has overcome damage under its power. Forward Alex Condon, the team’s leading rebounder (7.8 per match) and fourth leading goal scores (10.6 points per match), and backup forward Sam Alexis (4.9 ppg, 3.6 RPG) both missed an 85-63 home victory against Oklahoma on Tuesday because of ankle damage.
Even in their absence, Gators handled their typical balanced points with five players who finished in double numbers and no one stayed on the track for more than 27 minutes.
The tigers (14-12, 3-10) have had a tough conference season, but they have won the last two league matches after a seven-game losing line. They registered their largest victory margin over a SEC opponent in an 81-67 home victory against South Carolina on Tuesday.
“I think the credit goes to our players,” said LSU coach Matt McMahon. “They have come to work out, every game. I think we have competed every match except one half. We needed something to go our way.”
It happened when the tigers overcame a five-point deficit for the last 20 seconds to beat Oklahoma 82-79 on the road Saturday, and they carried the positive feeling into the matchup with Gamecocks.
“Play in the last game against Oklahoma, we knew we could win in this league,” said LSU’s leading goal scorer, guard Cam Carter. “There have been many learning experiences that led to the last two games, and I think we are calculating it now.”
LSU made 11 3-points against Oklahoma and followed it with 13 against South Carolina, it is mostly against a SEC opponent.
The challenge to Florida will be much greater than the level that the tigers met the two previous games.
“When we set 40 minutes, I don’t think anyone can beat us,” Tigers guard Mike Williams III said. “Just putting half together has been our biggest thing this year. These last two games we have put two halves together, and we have been rewarded. I think we can do it again Saturday together with driving, and we should have a good time. “
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