No. 13 Florida vs Virginia Game Thread

[Mark Wheeler]

No. 13 Florida takes on Virginia this evening at 7;15 p.m. in ExacTech Arena in a game being played on ESPN2.

Luke Adragna will be providing updates and observations.

LIVE STATS
PREGAME NOTES

 

[Mark Wheeler]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1864440673887539540

 

[Mark Wheeler]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1864455812971942262

 

[Luke Adragna]

Florida is looking to go 9-0 for the first time since 2005-06, their first championship season. Follow along for live updates here or on Twitter.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1864460447577248131

 

[Luke Adragna]

Starting lineup the same as its been all season:

Clayton
Richard
Martin
Condon
Chinyelu

 

[Luke Adragna]

The crowd looks pretty decent so far. The top rafters (the second student section) has been pretty empty most of the games this season so far. Don't be surprised if there's commentary on the crowd noise tonight. Will definitely be the most rowdy crowd so far considering classes are officially over.

 

[Luke Adragna]

H1 - 15:16 | Timeout

UVA 13
UF 6

Florida enters this timeout on a positive note with an and-one make from Clayton. But so far, the Gators are struggling offensively. They're 3-8 from the field, and UVA has had some very easy looks at the rim.

 

[Luke Adragna]

H1 - 11:12

UVA 20
UF 16

Gators efficiency is gradually increasing and they've hit five of their last six. However, so has UVA. Three Virginia players have landed two shots so far.

 

[Luke Adragna]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1864469421726822464

 

[Luke Adragna]

H1 - 8:54 | Timeout

UF 24
UVA 20

Gators take their first lead of the game with a three from Denzel Aberdeen. And after a rebound battle on the next possession, Will Richard splashes a corner three. This place is rowdy.

 

[Luke Adragna]

Florida has 10 bench points right now as well.

Aberdeen (5)
Haugh (3)
Alexis (2)

 

[Mark Wheeler]

15-0 Florida run...

 

[Luke Adragna]

Denzel Aberdeen is on fire right now. He's up to 10 points and has one missed fg, which came on a prayer as the shot clock expired.

 

[Mark Wheeler]

Halftime:

 

[Luke Adragna]

HALFTIME

Florida 39
Virginia 35

Gators offense started off slow but held a strong lead near the end of the half due to a 15-0 run. Aberdeen has 10 points on 4-5 shooting. Gators bench has also contributed 15 total points.

 

[Luke Adragna]

Some first half observations:

- Virginia was shooting it well from beyond the arc early on but cooled off. On the season, they're hitting 39% of their threes. Tonight, they've hit 42% (5-12)
- Walter Clayton has started most of the games this year pretty slowly. Right now, he's 3-10. But he did hit back-to-back threes.
- Virginia's slow pace has limited possessions for the Gators. Just 39 points in the first half is one of the slower first half performances they've had this season.

 

[Luke Adragna]

Will Richard logged his 82nd steal earlier tonight, which is the most by a transfer in Florida history.

 

[Luke Adragna]

Up by 18, Florida is just seven minutes away from their best start in program history since 2005.

UF 72
UVA 54

 

[Luke Adragna]

Gators up by 20 now with 2 minutes left.

 

[Luke Adragna]

Florida has been so successful, its fans don't even stay until the final minutes. Seriously. Most crowds have emptied out sizably each home matchup.