Florida won Tuesday night’s game against no. 6 Tennessee enters as an almost double-digit underdog, with the line turning to -8.5 points in the hour before tipoff after news that the Gators would appear without leading rebounder and third leading scorer. Colin Castleton due to an ankle injury.
The Gators seem to be fueled by being overlooked and playing with Castleton, wait, lights Scottie Lewis (health and safety measures) and wing Keyontae Johnson (collapses) for the game.
Florida (7-4, 4-3 SEC) played its best half of the season and set the tone early, often with tremendous defensive energy and a physical approach on the glass, driving the momentum around a massive short-handed 75 -49 victory over Tennessee (10-2, 4-2 SEC).
No Castleton, no problem.
And that’s not exactly what Gators’ staff expected to go to the game, not after being outscored by 21 in a weekend loss to Mississippi State. Asked about Castleton’s impact so far this season after transferring from Michigan and where Florida would be without him, coach Mike White was blunt.
“I think we have some big points on our list that will say we’ll be just as good,” White said. “But it will be difficult for me to argue it honestly.”
Maybe big man Omar Payne it listened.
The long center was locked up from the start, helping Florida build a 42-22 lead in points in the paint, while Tennessee outscored 44-36. Payne scored 9 points, 9 rebounds and 5 blocks, which helped set the tone with Castleton actively encouraging him off the bench.
Meanwhile little used large Osayi Osifo (4 points and 6 rebounds) and Jason Jitoboh (2 points and 3 rebounds) also made some valuable contributions.
The Gators also got a great outing from the guard Tyree Appleby, who helped hand out 7 assistants and keep the ball going throughout the night. The result was a strong shooting performance, with Florida scoring 31 of 63 (49.2%) off the floor.
The Vols, meanwhile, were not so fortunate. Obstructed and chased by the tremendous defense by the Gators, they did not seem to get into rhythm at all. Big man John Fulkerson she has in the paint, but Tennessee just could not get enough of someone else waiting Jaden Springer, who is widely regarded as the best player of UT in terms of creating his own appearance on offense, side by side with an ankle injury.
Fulkerson scored 15, but was the only double-digit goal scorer in the game for Tennessee. The Vols shot just 17 of 58 (29.3%) off the floor.
Florida did what it took to move up to ice things, though Tennessee cut halfway through the lead in the second half. After the Gators extended the lead to 20 in the second half, the Volunteers managed to reduce the deficit to just 11.
A quick 8-0 run for Florida within two minutes, concluded by a three-point dagger Anthony Duruji after a steal, the last nail in the coffin drove home and UF extended the lead from there further.
The Gators, who have been without Lewis for the past three games, can now return closer to full strength with a substantial SEC victory in their pocket. Castleton is listed as day after day after twisting his ankle, and White sounded like he would be hopeful that Lewis would return in the near future.
Florida will be back in action in Georgia on Saturday at 2pm, with a broadcast on ESPN or ESPN2.