Skip to Content, Navigation, or Footer.
We inform. You decide.
Friday, March 29, 2024
<p>Billy Donovan calls out a play during Florida's 66-62 win against Texas A&amp;M on March 3 in the O'Connell Center.</p>

Billy Donovan calls out a play during Florida's 66-62 win against Texas A&M on March 3 in the O'Connell Center.

Florida had just finished a 14-0 run building a 16 point lead over Texas A&M with 7:41 left on the clock —what could possibly go wrong? And then it almost happened, as it’s happened so many times before.

The Florida Gators devoid of the leadership or the level of play that took them to the Final Four last season began to teeter.

A miss here, a Texas A&M three there. But Florida was only almost unable to close a game out on senior night, because almost was just good enough as UF held on to beat Texas A&M 66-62.

“We’re not a mentally strong team. I’m happy that those guys were there. I’m Happy Chris Chiozza and Kasey Hill go through that,” coach Billy Donovan said. “Late in the game, you can’t just take two point guards off the floor. At some point, those guys need to make free throws. Callin it like it is, those guys felt a lot of pressure.”

In a moment of pure irony, the Gators (15-15, 8-9 Southeastern Conference) almost gave the game away from their own charity stripe, going 10-21 from the free throw line in the game’s final four minutes and if not for a few missed shots close in, the Aggies (20-9, 11-6 SEC) could have come away with the victory.

The Aggies certainly weren’t helped by a bone chillingly cold performance by their most consistent scorer, Danuel House. House went 0-10 from the field and 0-6 from the three point line.

“I thought Florida’s defense was tremendous. They did a good job with Danuel House. It threw us out of our game,” Aggies coach Billy Kennedy said. “We had some guys not share the ball or move the ball.”

TAMU was paced offensively by guard Alex Caruso, who had a game-high 20 points. UF leaned as it often has this season on forward Dorian Finney-Smith. Finney-Smith had 12 points to lead UF before fouling out — he was the only Gator with more than two fouls.

Jacob Kurtz contributed two points on a slashing putback attempt late in the first half but one of Florida’s two seniors got poked in the eye on the way to the hole and finished through the discomfort.

After pregame festivities the jab to the cornea wasn’t the only thing that had the former student manager a little teary eyed.

“I didn’t know what it was going to be like. People asked me if I was going to cry, but I didn’t know,” Kurtz said. “Seeing my mom and dad cry was kind of tough and seeing everyone clap for you and (Florida) means a lot to me, so it was emotional.”

Almost was good enough for Florida tonight but just barely. That will have to change Saturday. Kentucky looms large, on a collision course with history. Florida can either be a minor speed bump on the road to perfection or the highly unlikely party crasher of a Rupp Arena coronation.

Enjoy what you're reading? Get content from The Alligator delivered to your inbox

Follow Richard Johnson on Twitter @RagjUF

Billy Donovan calls out a play during Florida's 66-62 win against Texas A&M on March 3 in the O'Connell Center.

Support your local paper
Donate Today
The Independent Florida Alligator has been independent of the university since 1971, your donation today could help #SaveStudentNewsrooms. Please consider giving today.

Powered by SNworks Solutions by The State News
All Content © 2024 The Independent Florida Alligator and Campus Communications, Inc.