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NASHVILLE, Tenn. ― Florida basketball will get another test against a familiar foe when it faces rival Tennessee in the SEC Tournament finals on Sunday afternoon at Bridgestone Arena (1 p.m., ESPN).
The fourth-seeded Vols (27-6) advanced with a 70-65 upset of top-seed Auburn on Saturday, while the Florida Gators (29-4) moved on to the SEC Tournament finals for a second straight year after beating Alabama 104-82.
Florida split its two meetings with Tennessee during the regular season, topping the Vols 73-43 at home before losing 64-44 in Knoxville, Tenn. on Feb. 1, a game in which point guard Walter Clayton Jr. didn't play the second half after suffering an ankle injury.
"It's going to be interesting because both games were anomalies for lack of a better term," Florida basketball coach Todd Golden said. "We played fantastic and won by 30 at home and then we go there, and they beat us way worse than anybody has been able to beat us all year."
Here are three storylines to watch for UF's matchup with the Vols.
Tennessee showed off its lockdown defense in its last meeting with Florida, limiting UF to a season-low 44 points on 24.5% shooting and 14.3% shooting (4-27) from 3-point range.
"It was very frustrating," Clayton said. "I don't think we played as bad as the score showed. We missed a lot of shots and for a team like us, that's not something we normally do."
The Vols rank third in the nation in Adjusted Defensive Efficiency, per KenPom, and flustered Auburn in Saturday's upset, holding the Tigers to 41.8% shooting and 28.6% shooting from 3-point range.
"Tennessee, that's what they're known for, their physicality, how hard they play," Clayton said. "So it's definitely going to be physical tomorrow. We're going to have to go out there and match their physicality"
Florida has scored an average of 99.5 points in its last two games because it has faced two teams (Missouri and Alabama) that don't mind getting up and down the floor. Tennessee, under veteran head coach Rick Barnes, will look to slow the pace and minimize possessions.
UF is coming off a game in which it scored 42 fast break points against Alabama and can get out on the break against the Vols if its defense locks down and forces some live ball turnovers.
"Tomorrow will be a battle of wills a little bit," Golden said. "We're going to get out in transition, open up the game a little bit. We know Tennessee likes to operate in the halfcourt, be physical defensively. Whoever is able to dictate the terms and the tempo I think has the best chance to win tomorrow."
Tennessee fans will be out in full force to cheer on the Vols in their home state at Bridgestone Arena, Communication will be important for UF. So will maintaining poise when the Vols go on runs during the course of the game.
UF's senior-led backcourt of Clayton, Alijah Martin and Will Richard should help keep the Gators steady if adversity arises.
Florida 70, Tennessee 61: Florida will outlast Tennessee in a rugged, physical contest, notching its 30th win and clinching its first SEC Tournament title since 2014. A few hours later, UF will have more to celebrate when it lands a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
Kevin Brockway is The Gainesville Sun's Florida beat writer. Contact him at [email protected]. Follow him on X @KevinBrockwayG1
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Storylines to watch for Florida basketball in SEC Tournament finals matchup with Tennessee
Continue reading...
The fourth-seeded Vols (27-6) advanced with a 70-65 upset of top-seed Auburn on Saturday, while the Florida Gators (29-4) moved on to the SEC Tournament finals for a second straight year after beating Alabama 104-82.
Florida split its two meetings with Tennessee during the regular season, topping the Vols 73-43 at home before losing 64-44 in Knoxville, Tenn. on Feb. 1, a game in which point guard Walter Clayton Jr. didn't play the second half after suffering an ankle injury.
"It's going to be interesting because both games were anomalies for lack of a better term," Florida basketball coach Todd Golden said. "We played fantastic and won by 30 at home and then we go there, and they beat us way worse than anybody has been able to beat us all year."
Here are three storylines to watch for UF's matchup with the Vols.
How will Florida basketball deal with Tennessee's physicality
Tennessee showed off its lockdown defense in its last meeting with Florida, limiting UF to a season-low 44 points on 24.5% shooting and 14.3% shooting (4-27) from 3-point range.
"It was very frustrating," Clayton said. "I don't think we played as bad as the score showed. We missed a lot of shots and for a team like us, that's not something we normally do."
The Vols rank third in the nation in Adjusted Defensive Efficiency, per KenPom, and flustered Auburn in Saturday's upset, holding the Tigers to 41.8% shooting and 28.6% shooting from 3-point range.
"Tennessee, that's what they're known for, their physicality, how hard they play," Clayton said. "So it's definitely going to be physical tomorrow. We're going to have to go out there and match their physicality"
Can Florida basketball dictate the tempo and get the game going up and down the floor?
Florida has scored an average of 99.5 points in its last two games because it has faced two teams (Missouri and Alabama) that don't mind getting up and down the floor. Tennessee, under veteran head coach Rick Barnes, will look to slow the pace and minimize possessions.
UF is coming off a game in which it scored 42 fast break points against Alabama and can get out on the break against the Vols if its defense locks down and forces some live ball turnovers.
"Tomorrow will be a battle of wills a little bit," Golden said. "We're going to get out in transition, open up the game a little bit. We know Tennessee likes to operate in the halfcourt, be physical defensively. Whoever is able to dictate the terms and the tempo I think has the best chance to win tomorrow."
How will Florida basketball deal with a road-like atmosphere at Bridgestone Arena?
Tennessee fans will be out in full force to cheer on the Vols in their home state at Bridgestone Arena, Communication will be important for UF. So will maintaining poise when the Vols go on runs during the course of the game.
UF's senior-led backcourt of Clayton, Alijah Martin and Will Richard should help keep the Gators steady if adversity arises.
Prediction
Florida 70, Tennessee 61: Florida will outlast Tennessee in a rugged, physical contest, notching its 30th win and clinching its first SEC Tournament title since 2014. A few hours later, UF will have more to celebrate when it lands a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
Kevin Brockway is The Gainesville Sun's Florida beat writer. Contact him at [email protected]. Follow him on X @KevinBrockwayG1
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Storylines to watch for Florida basketball in SEC Tournament finals matchup with Tennessee
Continue reading...
