With the Gators' season on the line, their best player had put on a disappearing act.
Sophomore Nick Calathes, the unanimous First Team All-SEC selection.
Sophomore Nick Calathes, owner of two of the three triple-doubles in UF history.
Sophomore Nick Calathes, the ghost?
He had 11 points on 4-of-12 shooting at Mississippi State in a crucial game on Mar. 4. Then the Gators returned home for another must-win against Kentucky on Saturday, and their point guard responded with a season-low 5 points on 2-of-9 shooting.
On Thursday night, Calathes once again had 11 points, although he did it with a respectable 5-of-10 shooting night. He once again was well rounded and added seven assists and six rebounds.
Coach Billy Donovan sees a young player trying to figure it out.
"Sometimes you have to just accept that you're not going to be the guy making the play," Donovan said. "Sometimes the game … doesn't call for a triple-double."
But the sophomore also had five turnovers, all in the first half.
So yes, the Gators should celebrate that they're moving onto the SEC Tournament Quarterfinals where they'll face Auburn on Friday night at 9:45 p.m.
And they could probably even beat the Tigers with another average performance from Calathes.
That is the positive message from the last two games: UF no longer absolutely needs Calathes to be SportsCenter-worthy each and every game.
Maybe Calathes got used to not having much of a supporting cast. He became accustomed to shouldering the load night after night.
That becomes too much for everyone at some point. It seems the sophomore has hit such a low point. Maybe it's fatigue. A little lack of confidence in his teammates (as much as they will all claim to the contrary).
When Calathes opens his SEC Tournament with an airball from the left wing, that just can't be a good sign.
Here's the message, Nick. While you weren't looking, your supporting cast went ahead and decided to get better.
Walter Hodge, averaging 9 points per game, has chosen to make the most of his last days at UF. The senior has scored 54 points combined in his last three games.
But listen Nick - Hodge, Dan Werner (15 points, 13 rebounds Thursday night) and Erving Walker (12 points) aren't going to always be able to lead the way.
It's just not going to happen night in and night out. These guys, for all their heart, are made to be complementary players.
"We told (Calathes) in halftime, it's over," Hodge said. "You have to come in the second half and do the right thing."
So, sure take what the game gives you. Arkansas had Courtney Fortson guard you. But the athletic, 5-foot-11 freshman should not be able to shut down one of the best point guards in the country, who by the way is also seven inches taller.
"Every team is going to do something different [defensively]," Calathes said. "I've just gotta do different things."
Embrace the help, Nick, but that doesn't mean any less is on your plate.
You've still gotta be the guy.
You still need to be the guy with the ball in your hands at the end of the game. Calathes did show signs in the second half, going without a turnover, driving the lane and hitting some shots. But he must return to normal if the Gators want to hang around this March.
"The thing you love about him is Nick is such a competitor, he wants to take all that on," Donovan said. "I'd rather have a guy like that who is that competitive and wants to do it and try to help him understand how to manage what's going on."
Calathes just better figure it out quick. UF's season depends on it.
