COLUMBIA, Mo. – Minus-16.
That’s the expected windchill factor here Saturday morning when the Florida Gators (11-6, 1-3) awaken at their downtown hotel about 12 hours from when they take on the league-winless and desperate Missouri Tigers (8-9, 0-4) in their Southeastern Conference game Saturday night at Mizzou Arena. Yeah, yeah, the game will be played indoors, obviously, but don’t think the temperature outside – low of minus-2, high of 17 – isn’t a topic of conversation for the guys from the Sunshine State.
[Read senior writer Chris Harry’s “Pregame Stuff” setup here]
And while we’re on the subject of topical talking points, here’s another one; another number that will look familiar.
Minus-16.
That’s UF’s average point-margin differential in its three road games – all losses – this season. The Gators blew a nine-point second-half lead at Wake Forest and fell 82-71 on Nov. 29 and took back-to-back beatdowns, 103-85 at Ole Miss last week and 85-66 at Tennessee Tuesday, and now are looking to buck the away-game trend of defensive breakdowns that have allowed opponents to get way too comfortable in their home surroundings.
“We’ve defended like a Top 20 team at home and we’ve defended really, really poorly away, specifically on the road. Neutral [sites] we’ve been OK,” Florida coach Todd Golden said Friday, making mention of his defense (or lack of it) around the rim needing a clean-up, as well as a team-wide upgrade in communication and physicality. “We’ve got to do a better job in road games – hostile environments, whatever it is – being able to communicate the things that are pretty basic.”
Granted, UF’s three road opponents have been much, much better than the bulk of teams (especially, non-conference foes) the Gators have played at home.
That’s the expected windchill factor here Saturday morning when the Florida Gators (11-6, 1-3) awaken at their downtown hotel about 12 hours from when they take on the league-winless and desperate Missouri Tigers (8-9, 0-4) in their Southeastern Conference game Saturday night at Mizzou Arena. Yeah, yeah, the game will be played indoors, obviously, but don’t think the temperature outside – low of minus-2, high of 17 – isn’t a topic of conversation for the guys from the Sunshine State.
[Read senior writer Chris Harry’s “Pregame Stuff” setup here]
And while we’re on the subject of topical talking points, here’s another one; another number that will look familiar.
Minus-16.
That’s UF’s average point-margin differential in its three road games – all losses – this season. The Gators blew a nine-point second-half lead at Wake Forest and fell 82-71 on Nov. 29 and took back-to-back beatdowns, 103-85 at Ole Miss last week and 85-66 at Tennessee Tuesday, and now are looking to buck the away-game trend of defensive breakdowns that have allowed opponents to get way too comfortable in their home surroundings.
“We’ve defended like a Top 20 team at home and we’ve defended really, really poorly away, specifically on the road. Neutral [sites] we’ve been OK,” Florida coach Todd Golden said Friday, making mention of his defense (or lack of it) around the rim needing a clean-up, as well as a team-wide upgrade in communication and physicality. “We’ve got to do a better job in road games – hostile environments, whatever it is – being able to communicate the things that are pretty basic.”
Granted, UF’s three road opponents have been much, much better than the bulk of teams (especially, non-conference foes) the Gators have played at home.
But as far as Golden and his staff are concerned that does not excuse surrendering nearly 22 more points per game and better than 60-percent shooting from the 2-point area on the road (see chart below).
The things the Gators have done poorly on defense – especially on the heels of Tennessee forward Dalton Knecht ripping them for a career-high 39 points – were talked about (rather loudly, at times) during practice the last couple days. It was made clear to each player that this team is too good, too talented and with too high a ceiling to be 13th in the SEC in defensive efficiency in league play.
“We’ve addressed it really, really heavily this week…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Florida Gators…