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- Florida-No. 5 Kansas State Box Score
- WCC: Florida-No. 5 Kansas State Game Thread
- WCC: Todd Golden post-game press conference
Florida drops the chance at a huge quad 1 win at No. 5 Kansas State in the SEC/BIG 12 Challenge, falling 64-50.
Inside the Gators’ Instant Analysis takes a quick look at how the game unfolded.
IT WAS OVER WHEN: Saying that it was over at tip-off is as harsh as it gets. But the bottom line is that the full weight of Kansas States’ No. 5 rank fell on Florida. Though Todd Golden’s squad was able to crawl back to a two-point loss after a being down 23-12 in the first half against Texas A&M, tonight’s 37-16 halftime scoreline was simply insurmountable for Florida.
THEY STOLE THE SHOW: This game was all Markquis Nowell from tip-off to the final buzzer. Triple-doubles don’t come often in collegiate ball, but for Nowell the triple-double watch started early in the second half.
13 points, 9 assists, and eight rebounds from your point guard is what guys like Magic Johnson and Russell Westbrook made a career out of. Though today a win for No. 5 Kansas State over an unranked Florida will come as “expected,” Nowell put on a game that Florida must learn from as Florida continues to struggle against high-scoring guards.
THESE STATS DON’T LIE: 16 points in the first half will seal it early for even the most resilient of teams. Add 4-of-22 from three, 10/16 from the line, and 14 turnovers and you’ll get what has been an absolute beatdown from KSU.
Unfortunately for the Gators, it only gets harder as their schedule now reads a loss to the fifth seed today with a tough conference matchup against a fourth seed Tennessee up next.
THIS MATCHUP PROVED KEY: Keyontae Johnson had to get a mention somewhere. Fortunately, the bittersweet sight of his dominance over a rotation of Gators at small forward meant a 13-point and 11-rebound game for a player that will forever be remembered as a Gainesville hero.
On the Florida end, Alex Fudge and Riley Kugel combined for nine points and six rebounds. The Gators simply had no answer for Nowell and Johnson, or any other Wildcat to that end.
WHAT A PLAY: Nowell hit a deep dagger into Florida hearts as a dominant KSU first half hit its peak. It will be remembered as the postage stamp to a dominating night from the senior as the Gators simply couldn’t contain what was almost a triple-double sealed in the early stages of the second half.
UP NEXT: The Gators return to the O’Dome to face No. 4 Tennessee in conference play with tip-off set for 7 P.M Wednesday evening.
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