ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. – Since practice started in mid-October, Billy Donovan has talked about Florida’s newfound maturity and renewed commitment to defense. Both were on full display this weekend.
Despite being outplayed in nearly every statistical category by Michigan State, the two deciding factors in UF's 77-74 win were products of growing up and a desire to be a better defensive team: free-throw shooting percentage and turnovers.
“That’s something we were really, really missing the last two years – that understanding what it’s about maturity-wise,” Donovan said. “These guys have done a lot of growing and maturing, and I’m happy for them.”
Florida forced 38 turnovers in two games over the weekend and scored a combined 46 points as a result.
Donovan switched between man-to-man and zone defenses, and his team’s full-court press was relentless and often effective, accounting for many of UF’s 20 steals on the weekend.
“These guys are getting a better understanding of the press. Our rotations are a lot better,” Donovan said Friday. “There were some mental errors, but there were also some times where our press was really, really effective. They’re a team with a lot of offense, and when you give them the same defense every time, they’re very efficient.”
The Gators kept the Spartans guessing by constantly shifting between man and zone defenses Friday and at times completely baffled the Scarlet Knights on Saturday. Three minutes into the game, Florida appeared to show a 3-1-1 zone that caused Rutgers guard Mike Coburn to pause at the top of the key, confused at the unexpected new look the Gators were showing.
Donovan attributed part of UF’s improvement on defense to the maturity and impressive physical conditioning of sophomore point guard Erving Walker and freshman guard Kenny Boynton, who lead the team in minutes played while having to cover the length of the court in the press.
“Erving and Kenny did a phenomenal job for two straight days, and I don’t think people understand how grueling it is for what those guys do up in the front of the press, guarding it and chasing it and turning it,” Donovan said.
While the new focus on defense showed how much the Gators have grown up in less than a year, another product of their maturity could be seen down the stretch Friday night.
The Gators made 22 of their 25 free-throw attempts against the Spartans, making up for a 5-for-24 outing from beyond the arc by getting to the line and staying cool under pressure.
Walker and forwards Dan Werner and Chandler Parsons – three of the team’s leaders – combined to hit 13 of 14 free throws in the final six minutes to keep UF close, add to its lead and eventually ice the game.
Walker was named tournament MVP for his outside shooting and clutch play against the Spartans, the sophomore said after the win against Rutgers that he was content with UF’s new defensive identity as long as his team keeps winning.
“I know we didn’t play our best game, we were a little tired or whatever,” Walker said. “All that matters right now is we got the win, and we put it together when we needed to.”
