Some observations following UF’s 68-62 win Thursday night at Alabama:
– Give Florida’s defense credit for tightening up at the 3-point line. Florida coach Billy Donovan thought it was the key to the game. The Gators held Alabama to 2 of 12 from beyond the arc. Alabama senior point guard Trevor Releford sprung open for one 3-pointer late in the first half, but for the most part, Florida shadowed Releford throughout the game and kept him from being a factor on the perimeter.
– Florida was a little sloppy facing Alabama’s press late in the game. Back-to-back turnovers by Michael Frazier and Kasey Hill against Alabama’s press cut UF’s nine-point lead with under two minutes remaining to five with 1:07 to go. Frazier made a cross-court pass against the press, while Hill lost his dribble before reaching the midcourt line. But the Gators showed some resolve at the free throw line by making six of eight free throws down to stretch to improve to 8-2 in games decided by single digits this season.
– Patric Young had a string of six straight games scoring in double figures snapped, finishing with 5 points and 6 rebounds. Young was hampered with foul trouble throughout the game and reverted back to looking clumsy in the post at times and forcing shots that weren’t there. Young also had two assists, two turnovers and a steal that led to a breakaway layup for Hill.
