Heading into the quarterfinal showdown against Kentucky, Florida seemed to have finally discovered its shooting touch from beyond the arc. After a rough season from three-point range, the Gators had been heating up, riding an 11-game winning streak to close out the regular season.
However, those shooting struggles resurfaced against Kentucky. Despite going just 3-for-20 from three-point land, Florida still managed to control the game and secure a 71-63 victory, adding a historic notch to their belt.
Florida Dominates Kentucky for the Third Time
This win marked Florida’s third triumph over Kentucky this season, a feat they last achieved in 2014. Impressively, in none of these matchups did Florida trail at any point, showcasing their dominance.
But Friday’s victory wasn’t exactly a masterpiece.
Florida can credit part of their success to Kentucky’s fatigue, as the Wildcats were playing their third game in as many days, resulting in a cold 5-for-23 shooting performance from deep. Florida also dominated the boards, grabbing 18 offensive rebounds to Kentucky’s eight, leveraging their size and energy to full effect.
Alex Condon was the hero of the night, pouring in 22 points on 7-of-12 shooting, providing the spark Florida needed.
Gators’ Resilience Shines Through
The encouraging takeaway for Florida is that even on an off night, they can still find ways to win, a crucial trait as they head into the NCAA Tournament. With Kentucky pegged as a potential six or seven seed, Florida is proving they can handle similar competition in the tournament’s early rounds.
For now, the Gators have done what’s necessary to keep their season alive, advancing to Saturday’s semifinals. Notably, Florida stands as the only SEC team to reach the tournament semifinals or beyond for three consecutive seasons.