Finals are over and a new semester is under way in Gainesville, but the real test is just beginning for the Gators.
Southeastern Conference play opened on Sunday, and Florida – picked to finish last in the conference – began it with an impressive upset over No. 22 Arkansas. But now, the Gators embark on a two-game road trip looking for their first true road win of the season and a possible entrance into the national rankings.
The search begins tonight at 7 in the new Auburn Arena, where Florida (11-4, 1-0 SEC) will take on the Tigers (8-6, 1-0 SEC), who have recovered from a slow start and are fresh off a road victory of their own against rival Alabama.
The Gators are 8-0 in the O’Connell Center this season and 3-0 in games at neutral sites but have dropped all four of their opportunities on an opponent’s floor.
Florida lost 74-73 in the Women’s National Invitation Tournament semifinals against DePaul and 56-50 at Brown in the Brown Bear Classic. It was also outplayed in a 69-54 loss at Hampton and dropped another close one 74-72 in Tallahassee against the No. 25 Seminoles.
“Those games have made us grow,” junior center Azania Stewart said. “The young (players) have games under them. It’s really progressed us now into SEC play, where every game is important.”
Stewart, who leads the team in rebounds and is second in blocks, is in her third season and knows all about the tumultuous atmosphere of away games in the SEC.
“Playing on the road is really tough,” Stewart said. “They’re going to go on runs; the crowd is going to get behind them. But to be able to answer and come back is really important and a big step for us.”
After a slow start, the Tigers have amassed a four-game winning streak, including a 66-55 defeat of rival Alabama. But AU will face a tough matchup against Florida’s speed and depth.
Coach Amanda Butler drew comparisons to her own squad when analyzing the Tigers, complimenting Auburn’s ability to protect the ball and drive opponents to mistakes.
Auburn forces an average of 19.7 turnovers and nearly 10 steals per game and is led by the senior combo of guard Alli Smalley (12.6 ppg) and forward Jordan Greenleaf (9.6 ppg).
The Gators have allowed games to slip away in the closing minutes and will be tested by a scrappy Auburn team trying to secure a victory in the inaugural SEC game played in its new arena. Therefore, making the most of every opportunity has been a sticking point for Butler in preparation for the road trip.
“We’re going to talk about how important it is that we can’t accept missing one free throw, one layup or one easy play,” Butler said. “We can’t leave easy points on the floor.”
Additionally, Stewart said her experience in conference away games has taught her that you must be able to rely on your teammates if things aren’t going well.
“Our togetherness is probably the most important and the strongest thing we need going into a road game,” Stewart said. “You have to generate your own energy. It’s you against them.”
