Mike White doesn’t want to think about the Kentucky Wildcats.
For now, Saturday night’s clash is out of sight and out of mind.
And he especially doesn’t want his players dwelling on it.
“If I hear ‘Kentucky’ from one of our players, they might not play,” Florida’s second-year coach said Tuesday.
White said he wants his team to concentrate on the immediate obstacle in its path — Missouri.
The Tigers (5-15, 0-8 SEC) enter the O’Connell Center tonight at 7 on the heels of a 12-game losing streak.
“We are not going to overlook (tonight),” White said, “or (my players) are going to be sitting by me (on the bench).”
Taking the season one game at a time has been a popular sentiment among UF’s players. Prior to the Gators’ loss to then-No. 24 South Carolina on Jan. 18, the Gators were ranked 19th in the country and were in the midst of a seven-game win streak. But despite the success, graduate transfer Canyon Barry insisted Florida’s focus was solely on the Gamecocks.
“We don’t really pay attention to the rankings. We just kinda focus on the next game at hand,” Barry said.
Now eight games deep into conference play, that frame of mind has been steadfast — through the highs and the lows.
The Gators endured consecutive heartbreaking losses to South Carolina and Vanderbilt, leaving UF’s players scrambling on defense and White searching for answers.
But on the road, with the season is serious jeopardy, the No. 24 Gators (16-5, 6-2 SEC) responded with two dominant performances — a 106-71 trouncing of LSU, where Florida knocked down a program-record 19 three-pointers and an 84-52 dismantling of Oklahoma.
“We just got it going on the road there at LSU, and it carried over to Oklahoma,” White said. “But again, it was about defending at a high level to start. I was pleased with our defensive intensity and focus.”
Kevarrius Hayes had a career game against the Sooners.
The sophomore forward abused OU’s defense in the paint for a career-high 20 points. He also ripped down nine rebounds and had three blocks.
Hayes is part of a trio of UF players who have stepped up at the right time for Florida, including Barry and junior forward Devin Robinson. Barry and Robinson combined for 28 points and five three-pointers against the Sooners.
But are the Wildcats still on their minds?
“A little bit,” Hayes said. “But trying not to think too far ahead.
“I mean, we do have Missouri right in front of us.”
Contact Ray Boone at rboone@alligator.org and follow him on Twitter @rboone1994.
Florida forward Kevarrius Hayes (13) defends as Oklahoma guard Kameron McGusty (20) shoots in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Jan. 28, 2017. Florida won 84-52. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
