In a Saturday afternoon Southeastern Conference game against Texas A&M, Florida, which is heating up at the right moment, will travel to College Station, Texas, riding a four-game winning run.
Following their overtime victory over Kentucky, the Gators (15-6, 5-3 SEC) have gained attention for the NCAA Tournament ever since they were humiliated 85-66 at Tennessee on January 16.
Florida coach Todd Golden said, “We’re making progress, moving in the right direction, and have the right guys in the program.” “We simply can’t wait to see where the rest of the year takes us.”
The Gators defeated Kentucky with a tenacious comeback to earn their first Quadrant 1 victory. Walter Clayton Jr. capitalized on a missed free throw by Rob Dillingham of Kentucky with 13.5 seconds remaining in regulation to score a three-pointer with three seconds remaining in regulation, forcing overtime. He then scored another in the extra session to lead Florida to a 94-91 victory.
With 13 attempts, Clayton finished with a career-high seven 3-pointers to go along with his 23 points. Florida’s earlier 87-85 setback to Kentucky in Gainesville was avenged with this victory.
“We’ve been pleading with for such a victory,” Golden remarked. “The timing of this team’s unity is really good.”
After defeating Kentucky 97-92 in overtime at home on January 13, Texas A&M (12-8, 3-4) has only played twice.
One problem the Aggies are having, according to coach Buzz Williams, is at the free-throw line. In spite of Wade Taylor IV’s sixth 30-point performance of the year, they have only shot better than 70 percent from the free throw line once in their last five games. They were only 12-of-22 (54.5 percent) in their most recent game against Ole Miss. He went just 5-of-8 on free throw attempts but 10-of-20 from the field (5-of-9 on 3-pointers).
Williams declared, “We have to make more free throws from the free-throw line.” “That is what we are determined to do. Both as a team and individually, we have been focusing on that every day. In that aspect, our boys have excelled.0
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