No. 4 Florida left little question in a dominant exhibiting towards No. 5 Alabama on Saturday.
With a 104-82 rout of the Crimson Tide, the Gators confirmed why their protection is simply as harmful as their offense. The win advances them to the SEC Championship Sport to tackle No. 8 Tennessee on Sunday.
Per the SEC Network, the 104 factors scored are probably the most in an SEC Event sport. It was additionally probably the most factors the Gators have scored all season. Coming into Saturday, Florida averaged the seventh-most points per game (84.8 PPG).
Whereas Florida’s offense is explosive, its protection continues to indicate why it could be probably the most full staff in all the nation. Though Alabama nonetheless put up 82 factors, it entered Saturday with 90 or extra factors in 18 video games. Florida held it to 11-of-35 from long-range, which was successful towards a formidable Crimson Tide offense.
This steal from senior Walter Clayton Jr. finally led to a conversion on the opposite finish by sophomore Thomas Haugh and put the Gators up 43-42 late within the first half.
Clayton Jr.’s fast palms led to a different steal and a layup as Florida stretched its result in 58-48 with 17 minutes remaining.
Florida outscored Alabama 57-37 within the second half and led by as many as 24. As spectacular because the protection was, the offense was clicking as nicely.
Florida was 37-of-72 (51.4%) from the sector and 12-of-27 (44.4%) from deep. Clayton Jr.’s 22 factors had been a team-high with seniors Will Richard and Alijah Martin every placing up 16 factors apiece.
Senior Chris Youngblood was Alabama’s main scorer with 14 factors. Seniors Mark Sears and Grant Nelson – who lead the staff in scoring this season – mixed for 18 factors.
Contemplating Alabama (25-8, 13-5 SEC) entered Saturday as a two-seed in ESPN’s Joe Lunardi’s newest bracketology, any hopes the Crimson Tide had of a No. 1 seed are vanquished. With three losses in its final 5 video games, Alabama must reestablish some momentum when the NCAA Event rolls round or a shock early exit could possibly be in retailer, particularly if the defensive woes don’t enhance.
Earlier than Saturday, Florida (29-4, 14-4 SEC) was already a No. 1 seed. At this level, it will be onerous to think about the Gators not being on the one-line when the sector of 68 is revealed, though a showdown with Tennessee in Sunday’s SEC Championship Sport might have one thing to say about that.
If the defensive depth stays, Florida could possibly be on its solution to its first Remaining 4 since 2014 as one of many nation’s most full groups.
