Top Performers
Mississippi State Bulldogs (7-15, 2-8 SEC)
Gavin Ware: 16 points (7/11 fg), 6 rebounds
Colin Borchert: 14 points (5/11 fg, 3/5 3pt), 5 rebounds
Trivante Bloodman: 10 points (4/7 fg), 3 assists
Craig Sword: 7 points (2/8 fg), 8 rebounds, 5 assists
Florida Gators (19-3, 9-1 SEC)
Mike Rosario: 18 points (7/11 fg, 2/5 3pt), 4 rebounds
Erik Murphy: 17 points (7/10 fg, 3/5 3pt), 5 rebounds
Casey Prather: 12 points (5/9 fg), 5 rebounds in 22 minutes
Michael Frazier: 11 points (4/7 fg, 3/5 3pt), 6 rebounds
Scottie Wilbekin (7 assists) and Kenny Boynton (6 assists)
Patric Young: 7 rebounds
First Half Notes
- It was announced before the game that Mississippi State starting guard Jalen Steele would not play because he was suspended indefinitely due to a violation of team rules.
- Coach Donovan announced that junior starting point guard Scottie Wilbekin would not start due to a "lack of passion in practice" exhibited since Tuesday's loss to Arkansas. Donovan said that Wilbekin's a gritty competitor and he took the loss hard and that his attitude was reflecting that. As the point guard, his attitude trickles down to his teammates. Donovan started freshman Michael Frazier, giving him his first career start.
- Junior guard/forward Casey Prather checked into the game at the 17:50 mark. Prather, without a doubt, played his best game since returning from his ankle sprain three games ago. He finished with a season-high 12 points and 5 rebounds in 22-energizing minutes.
- Wilbekin checked in at the 17:21 mark. Although he didn't start, he still played 33 minutes.
- Frazier had a great in-bounds pass to senior forward Erik Murphy for a bucket.
- The first four minutes of the game were very sloppy.
- Frazier came into the game having made nine out of his last 14 three's. He began Saturday's game making his first three from deep. Although Murphy has the highest 3-point shooting percentage on the team, Frazier is the best shooter on the team in my opinion.
- Senior guard Kenny Boynton was very careless with the ball in the first few minutes, committing two turnovers.
- Frazier's defense and hustle were the best I've seen from him this season. I think getting his first start probably contributed to that. Defense has been his worst enemy so far this season but it's improving every game (the complex defensive schemes that Florida runs haven't been easy for Frazier to adjust to).
- Mississippi State, with Steele being suspended, only dressed eight players. At the 12:03 mark, senior walk-on guard Baxter Price entered the game for the Bulldogs. Nothing against Price (I'm a huge fan of walk-ons), but the coach Rick Ray had no choice with only having eight guys.
- Prather produced another highlight-reel play when he caught the outlet pass at halfcourt and took the ball aggressively to the basket, resulting in a "posterizing" dunk. Just another day at the office for Casey Prather! He also had a nice pullup jumper. I'd say the ankle was just fine then!
- In case I haven't stated this before, Prather has the best athleticism on the team by a long shot. Just look up some of his highlights and you'll agree.
- Interesting note: Murphy was playing his first game with a fresh haircut.
- Until the 3:49 mark, Murphy and senior guard Mike Rosario combined for 17 points while Mississippi State had 18.
- I cringe everytime junior forward Patric Young shoots his free throws. He made the classic mistake of changing his form after his first two seasons and it has made his percentage worse. Needless to say, it's an adventure every time that he steps to the line. That being said, he did make four out of six from the charity stripe, so let's hope that's a sign of better things to come!
- Mississippi State forward Colin Borchert hit some tough shots throughout the game and he was keeping the Bulldogs somewhat in the game.
- The Bulldogs scored 19 points in the first half of their first meeting with the Gators.
- I was very surprised that freshman forward DeVon Walker did not see any action in the first half considering the fact that junior forward Will Yeguete will be out 4-6 weeks due to knee surgery.
- Considering that Florida presses almost the entire game, it is frustrating when the opponent beats the press and they have a two-on-one advantage.
- The Gators were 17-1 when leading at halftime.
- Prather scored eight points in the half, which was totally unexpected from my point of view.
- Rosario had 10 points and Frazier and Murphy had nine.
- UF committed six turnovers, compared to 11 from MSST.
- Side note: Arkansas followed up their win over the Gators on Tuesday by losing at Vanderbilt 67-49 on Saturday. The Razorbacks are 0-5 on the road, compared to 14-1 at home.
- Donovan: "I'd like to see a little bit more emotion from our guys."
- Halftime score: Florida 42 - Mississippi State 26
- Wilbekin started the second half, while Frazier began the half on the bench.
- UF got off to a 10-0 run to begin the half.
- Walker checked in at the 8:30 mark, finally ending the wonder on my part.
- Young had a dunk which was his first field goal of the game at the 10:00 mark. He finished with six points (1/5 fg) and seven rebounds. Just a hint: he's going to play his best game of the season on Tuesday versus Kentucky.
- Boynton came into the game having made one 3-pointer in 15 straight games, but unfortunately went 0/5 from deep so his streak begins anew on Tuesday against the Wildcats.
- The Gators forced the Bulldogs into a 35-second shot clock violation.
- Murphy left the game due to an apparent ankle injury. He went to the locker room but, luckily, it was just a twisted ankle. The entire gym was silent when he left, and with good reason because the Gators would have lost another frontcourt player to injury.
- Freshman guard Dillon Graham played his best game of the season, dishing out a career-high three assists. He threw a perfect two-handed pass from halfcourt to a running Walker for a fastbreak dunk. Donovan has acknowledged that Graham is one of the better passers on the team and the coaching staff likes how he passes the ball from the perimeter.
- Walker played average defense, took a forced 3-pointer, and had a dunk on a Graham asssist. He'll be called into action against Kentucky and I expect him to give the team some quality minutes while giving Murphy or Young breaks.
- Most importantly, Florida did a great job of bouncing back from Tuesday's loss, while not getting caught looking ahead to Tuesday's rivalry game against the Wildcats.
- From Gatorzone.com: "The Gators are a perfect 11-0 in the O’Connell Center this season and played in front of a sell-out crowd of 12,444 Saturday night."
- Final score: Florida 83 - Mississippi State 58
Field goals made/attempted= 31/59 (52.5%)
Three-pointers made/attempted= 9/26 (34.6%)
Free throws made/attempted= 12/18 (66.7%)
Rebounds/offensive= 36 rebounds/10 offensive
Fouls= 12
Assists= 21
Turnovers= 8
Steals= 6
Mississippi State turnovers= 16
Blocks= 2
Points off turnovers= 21
Points in the paint= 38
Second-chance points= 8
Fastbreak points= 16
Bench points= 21
Guard rebounds= 16
Mississippi State offensive rebounds= 9
Second half points= Florida (41), Mississippi State (32)
Officials= Doug Shows, Pat Adams, and Tim Gattis
Attendance= 12,444
What's Up Next
The Gators are set to enjoy the comforts of the O'Dome when they face an old-time rival in the Kentucky Wildcats on Tuesday (2/12). The #25 Wildcats come in with a record of 17-6 and are 8-2 in the SEC, winners of five straight games. They are 4-3 on the road this season. The tip is set for 7:00. The game will be televised on ESPN and broadcast on the radio on WRUF/Gator IMG Sports Network. The pregame radio show begins at 6:25.
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