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The No. 5 Florida needed a bounce back victory after a frustrating defeat against Missouri 83-82 earlier this week. The Gators struggled defending the three-point line and were outrebounded offensively for the first time this season.
Today, UF had a major threat to defuse, defensively. The 6-foot-6 guard, Tre Johnson, leads the SEC in scoring with 18.7 points per game. The potential top-5 NBA draft pick looked to lead his team to victory, but Florida was not going to make it easy.
Todd Golden’s Gators managed to (control/tame) the freshman as he finished with 16 points and 1 assist.
The Gators were defensively sound as they held Texas scoreless for multiple periods of play. Most notably, a 15-0 run for about six minutes during the middle of the first half. The Gator defense also held the Longhorns scoreless for the last 3:08 seconds of the first half.
The Gators went on two 7-0 runs late in the second half which closed out the game indefinitely.
Walter Clayton Jr. also put himself in the history books as he tied Michale Frazier for the school record for his 41st consecutive game with a three-point shot.
On Sunday, the No. 5 Florida Gators (16-2, 3-2 SEC) defeated the Texas Longhorns (12-6, 1-4 SEC) 84-60 in an exciting SEC matchup.
Inside the Gators’ Instant Analysis takes a quick look at how the game unfolded.
IT WAS OVER WHEN: Florida went on their fourth period of play where they contained Texas to zero points. Texas didn’t score for 3:26 seconds during this period. Florida went on a 8-0 run that brought them up 13 points with 5 minutes left in the half.
This run of play gave the Gators enough cushion to see the game out and earn themselves another SEC victory.
THEY STOLE THE SHOW: There was one guard that flew under the radar today. Alijah Martin not only helped contain Tre Johnson, but he made it count offensively.
He ended the first half with 9 points, 1 assist, and 1 steal. He also made clutch three pointers and earned a few and-one opportunities for the Gators.
In the second half, Martin was the most electric player on the court. He earned two and-one opportunities which made the O’Dome erupt.
He finished the game with 22 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists.
“We didn’t want to let Gator nation down,” said Martin in the press conference after the game.
An honorable mention also goes to Alex Condon who earned a double-double in today’s game with 11 points and 12 rebounds.
THESE STATS DON’T LIE: Florida finished the first half with 20 points in the paint. Florida found Texas’s interior easily, as more than 50% of their total first half points came from the paint.
Florida’s defense also caused seven turnovers in the first half. Five of them came from steals.It seems like they learned a thing or two from Missouri.
The Gators finished the game with 44 points in the paint,10 steals, and 12 points off of the fast break. It was a defensive masterclass that reaped its rewards for the Gators.
THIS MATCHUP PROVED KEY: All eyes were on Tre Johnson and Walter Clayton Jr. as they are considered two of the nations best guards at the collegiate level.
Clayton Jr. went toe-to-toe with the SEC’s leading scorer. In the first half, Clayton Jr. finished with 12 points and 2 assists. Johnson finished the first half with 11 points and 0 assists.
In the second half, Johnson wasn’t nearly as effective as Clayton Jr. was. Clayton was a playmaker for Florida and got 7 points and 3 assists. Johnson only scored 4 points in the second half.
Clayton Jr. finished with 19 points and 4 assists. Johnson finished with 16 points and 1 assist.
WHAT A PLAY: Will Richard slammed it viciously early on in the 2nd half. He leaned back and threw his right hand forward towards the net. I couldn’t tell what was louder: the slam or the crowd after it.
UP NEXT: The Gators (16-2, 3-2 SEC) take on the South Carolina Gamecocks (10-8, 0- 5 SEC) in Columbia on Wednesday, Jan 22. Tip-off is at 7 P.M. at the Colonial Life Arena.
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