No. 5 Florida vs Missouri Game Thread

[Mark Wheeler]

No. 5 Florida takes on Missouri tonight at 9:00 p.m. in ExacTech Arena in a game being played on ESPNU.

Luke Adragna will be courtside providing updates and observations.

LIVE STATS
PREGAME NOTES

 

[Mark Wheeler]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1879288510294708487

 

[Mark Wheeler]

According to ESPN Analytics, No. 5 Florida is an overwhelming favorite tonight against Missouri.

 

[Luke Adragna]

We're back at the O' Dome. Follow along for updates here and on Twitter.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1879343801481007518

 

[Luke Adragna]

Some keys for Florida ahead of this matchup:

1. Missouri averages 28.6 free throws per game - third most in the country. The Gators will have to limit the Tiger's attempts at the stripe and stay out of foul trouble.

2. Missouri's offense is headed by Mark Mitchell and Tamar Bates, who both average nine shots per game. The duo has combined for nearly 26 PPG heading into the matchup. The offense will likely be focused around the pair.

3. Florida has averaged 23 second chance points over their last three contests. If they can control the glass and keep up their lofty rebound margin (12) they should cruise to victory.

 

[Luke Adragna]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1879356344714788875

 

[Mark Wheeler]

Missouri is now up by 15 with just over eight minutes left in the first half. UF looks listless so far.

 

[Luke Adragna]

H1 - 6:00

MIZ 42
UF 29

That was a tough finish at the rim from Clayton. The crowd is still alive here despite Florida trailing by double digits.

 

[Mark Wheeler]

Missouri at 64% from 3 point range. This looks like the UK game to this point.

 

[Luke Adragna]

H1 - 4:15 | Substitution

MIZ 44
UF 34

Thomas Haugh has been in the game for four total minutes and is already up to four fouls. He's had some terrible luck from officials tonight.

 

[Mark Wheeler]

Florida has cut the lead to 10 with just under four minutes in the half.

 

[Mark Wheeler]

No. 5 Florida has had no answer for Missouri's three-point shooting (50%), and other than Walter Clayton Jr. (18 points), the Gators have yet to get on track offensively, and are down 50-34 at the half.

 

[Luke Adragna]

HALF

MIZ 50
UF 34

The #Gators have been outplayed in every facet. Missouri closed the half on a 6-0 run while Florida failed to score for nearly 5 minutes.

The Gators ended the half with fewer rebounds, shots - nearly less in every statistic besides turnovers (8).

 

[Luke Adragna]

H2 - 12:54

MIZ 58
UF 51

Florida has managed to shave Missouri's lead to single-digits and is outscoring the Tigers 17-8 this half. Will Richard has eight points over the last 3 minutes.

 

[Mark Wheeler]

Missouri at 64% from 3 point range. This looks like the UK game to this point.

The Tigers have gone cold (down to 37%) from 3 point range, but still have an 11 point lead.

 

[Mark Wheeler]

Florida has cut the lead to five with eight minutes remaining.

 

[Mark Wheeler]

Florida is on an 8-0 run to cut the lead to three points.

 

[Luke Adragna]

Rueben Chinyelu is so strong and his impact often isn't seen in the box score. His ability to clear out the lane right there and pushback a defender for an easy bucket from Thomas Haugh was phenomenal.

 

[Luke Adragna]

H2 - 3:08 | Timeout

MIZ 75
UF 69

The Gators are inching closer and closer to grabbing the lead. They've hit five of their last seven field goals and trailed by just three at one point.

 

[Luke Adragna]

The amount of reviews in this game is absurd.