No. 18 Florida vs Wake Forest Game Thread

[Mark Wheeler]

No. 18 Florida takes on Wake Forest today at 2:30 p.m. in Kissimmee, FL. in a game being played on ESPN.

Luke Adragna will be providing updates and observations.

LIVE STATS
PREGAME NOTES

 

[Luke Adragna]

We're one hour out from the Gators first invitational game against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons. Florida will play either Minnesota or Wichita State at 3:30 p.m. Friday depending on the outcome of the matchup.

 

[Luke Adragna]

This year's ESPN Events Invitational will feature four teams:

- No. 18 Florida (6-0)
- Wake Forest (6-1)
- Wichita State (5-0)
- Minnesota (5-1)

This is the first time the invitational has utilized a four-team format. Traditionally, it's been eight.

The tournament will also end one day shorter, on Friday rather than Saturday. This year, whoever wins the first matchup (UF-WF, MIN-WS) will head to the championship round at 3:30 p.m. Friday. The loser of round one will compete for third place at 1 p.m. tomorrow.

 

[Luke Adragna]

The first game between Minnesota and Wichita State was sent to overtime after a three from Harlond Beverly with 1.2 seconds remaining. The score is 57-57 with five minutes of OT.

 

[Mark Wheeler]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1862210104075895086

 

[Luke Adragna]

Minnesota vs. Wichita State Update:

WS 66
MIN 64

There is 19.4 seconds left in overtime and Wichita State has the ball.

 

[Luke Adragna]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1862215411468485062

 

[Luke Adragna]

H1 - 15:42 | Timeout

WFU 10
UF 6

Florida has missed its last six shots, and frankly, isn't getting any good looks. UF is 2-8 and 1-4 from three. The Demon Deacons have hit both their shots from beyond the arc and lead by four.

 

[Luke Adragna]

Alijah Martin's made layup is the first shot Florida has hit in 10 attempts.

WFU 14
UF 9

 

[Luke Adragna]

H1 - 11:56 | Timeout

WFU 16
UF 9

Alijah Martin tallied a made layup, snapping Florida's scoreless drought, which lasted more than 5 minutes and included 10 misses.

 

[Luke Adragna]

That was a clean block by Thomas Haugh. All ball.

 

[Luke Adragna]

Demon Deacons C Efton Reid III is heading to the locker room after tweaking his ankle.

He's averaging 8 pts, 6 reb and 1 assist for Wake Forest this season.

 

[Luke Adragna]

Will Richard is singlehandedly bringing Florida back into this game on both ends of the court. He's been a presence defensively and scored eight points in the last three minutes.

 

[Luke Adragna]

H1 - 3:51 | Timeout

UF 23
WF 22

#Gators take their first lead since 18:22 after a 12-2 run over the last six minutes led by Will Richard. The senior guard has been a presence defensively and added eight points himself. Just another testament to how dangerous UF's offense is. They're never out of it, and anyone can score the basketball.

 

[Luke Adragna]

HALFTIME

UF 32
WFU 28

Gators' 32 points are the fewest they've scored in the first half this season (prev. 39). Florida got off to a slow start offensively and went 3-of-14. However, Will Richard singlehandedly brought UF back with 10 points over a 7-minute stretch to close.

 

[Mark Wheeler]

No. 18 Florida is up 32-28 over Wake Forest at the half.

 

[Luke Adragna]

H2 - 17:20 | Timeout

UF 42
WF 28

Florida opens the second half on a 10-0 run and is 4-5 from the field. Clayton has 12 total points on four makes from beyond the arc.

 

[Luke Adragna]

H2 - 10:56 | Timeout

UF 50
WF 42

Florida is one of its last eight shot attempts. Gators are out-rebounding WF by nine and have 18 fastbreak points.

 

[Luke Adragna]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1862242836973760814

 

[Luke Adragna]

Wake Forest head coach Steve Forbs was just ejected after receiving back-to-back technical fouls in a five-second span. He looked like he was arguing with one of the referees over a foul call.

Florida leads 70-54 after four technical free throws with 2:42 left.