Miami and No. 10 Florida, in-state foes who haven’t performed since November 2019, will renew their rivalry Sunday evening with a matchup in Jacksonville, Fla.
Because the defending nationwide champion, Florida (2-1) has discovered a precious lesson in its first three contests. The Gators know they are going to get each squad’s finest shot every sport.
Of their current outing towards Florida State, the Gators obtained a ton of physique blows from the Seminoles and hot-shooting switch guard Robert McCray V (29 factors) however have been in a position to dangle on for a 78-76 win over the hated Seminoles.
Thomas Haugh led the best way with 20 factors for Florida on 7-of-15 capturing, together with 2 of 6 from deep. He additionally pulled down 13 rebounds, because the membership used its huge dimension benefit to a 58-36 margin on the boards.
Haugh, who performed extra within the backcourt however sees himself on the No. 3 place within the NBA, mentioned he and his teammates perceive what lies forward.
“We have got to embrace it,” Haugh mentioned of being the title winners. “I feel coach (Todd) Golden mentioned that at first of the yr, that (we) would be the hunted not the hunters this yr. … We have got to enter each area that is going to be offered out and stuff.”
“However I feel this staff is assured, and the leaders on this staff will have the ability to pull us by means of ultimately.”
The 6-foot-9 swingman is certainly one of 5 Gators averaging double-figure scoring at a team-besrt 19.7 factors per sport. Fellow large man Alex Condon follows at 15.7, whereas new level guard Boogie Fland has put up 12.3. Xaivian Lee scores at an 11-point clip, and Micah Handlogten tallies 10 and a team-leading 10.3 rebounds.
In its sequence with the Atlantic Coast Convention’s Hurricanes, Florida holds a 47-24 benefit together with their most up-to-date assembly on Nov. 22, 2019, a 78-58 trouncing within the Charleston Basic match in Charleston, S.C.
Miami (3-0) has topped 100 factors its final two occasions out, although it has not been examined a lot in house victories over the Sunshine State’s Jacksonville, Bethune-Cookman and Stetson.
“I am anticipating a battle, a warfare,” mentioned Hurricanes ahead Malik Reneau, a three-year participant for the Indiana Hoosiers who was as soon as a serious Florida prospect below earlier coach Mike White. “Like coach (Jai Lucas) mentioned within the locker room, it isn’t going to be a variety of basketball.”
“It is going to be a warfare on the market, so I am anticipating to go on the market and provides (Florida) all I’ve acquired,” mentioned Reneau, a Miami native. “You understand, blood, sweat and tears. I hope they’re prepared, too.”
The 6-foot-9 ahead leads the Hurricanes with 21.3 factors per sport, whereas Ernest Udeh Jr., who beforehand performed for Massive 12 applications at TCU and Kansas, paces the squad with 9 rebounds per sport.
Tre Donaldson, a newcomer from Michigan who additionally beforehand performed at Auburn, posts 16.3 factors per sport. Tru Washington averages 14, and Shelton Henderson sits at 12.3.
Lucas, 36, arrived on the Gainesville college in 2007 as a high level guard, averaged 8.5 factors his freshman season however quickly transferred to Texas.
“I like the place we’re proper now … however I do know we’re not the place we should be,” the coach mentioned.
–Discipline Degree Media
