COLUMBIA, S.C. – They basically spent 30 minutes flailing and failing to execute the main three keys to success. Florida wanted to match (preferably surpass) South Carolina’s physicality from the tip. The Gators wanted to keep standout forward Collin Murray-Boyles from getting and parking on the block. And they wanted to take away the Gamecocks’ clever weakside cuts to the basket.
So when none of that worked – and all else had seemingly failed – UF coach Todd Golden attacked a double-digit deficit with an aggressive full-court press and mixed in a little man pressure to keep the home team off balance.
The Gators came up with a steal. Then another. And another. All told, nine in the final 10-plus minutes, which put the nation’s fifth-ranked team, specifically senior guard Will Richard, in position to steal a remarkable 70-69 victory Wednesday night over the stunned and bummed Gamecocks at Colonial Life Arena.
Richard attacked the lane (and USC guard Morris Ugusuk) for a high-flying, go-ahead layup with 4.8 seconds left to put his team in front by one. Gamecocks guard Jacobi Wright’s 30-foot desperation 3-point attempt – with UF’s Alijah Martin contesting – bounced off the rim and sent the Gators (17-2, 4-2) spilling from the bench to celebrate after equaling the best 19-game start in program history.
“I was just trying to be aggressive,” Richard said of his game-winner.
The same could have…
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