Another grossly disproportionate element to Florida’s road schedule at Oklahoma, the Gators’ grossly disproportionate advantage inside, played out between the lines. The Sooners had no chance of matching UF’s height, length and physicality, even on their home floor, and clearly had the idea that they were in for a long night.
“There’s no way to replicate their size and physicality in practice,” OU coach Porter Moser said after the 18th-ranked Gators did a perfect job 96-79 at the Sooners.
Five UF players had at least five rebounds. Florida defeated Oklahoma in the paint by an astonishing 60-22. UF won the board battle 43-21, including 17-11 on the offensive glass, and scored 22 second-chance points.
It wasn’t a big deal.
“That’s an area we strive for wins every night, but especially this game, yes, absolutely,” Gators coach tod golden Said. “we [felt] Like we had a little bit more depth up front, we have some good players there and they’re going to have to produce to have a good game. ”
They did.
junior center Ruben Chiniel He finished with a season-high 19 points and 12 rebounds, achieving his ninth double-double of the season, once again achieving his best record in beast mode. thomas hoThe junior wing and team leader in scoring had a team-high 21 points and seven rebounds. forward Alex Condon He had a backup center and recorded 10 points and 6 rebounds. mika handrogten He came off the bench for six points and eight boards, five of which were on the offensive end.
A rapidly growing point guard also joined the team as a sophomore. Boogie FlandHe had his best all-around game of the season against Tennessee on Saturday, finishing with 15 points, seven assists (one turnover), five rebounds and two steals. His playmaking contributed to the team’s highest score of the season against a powerful opponent (the Gators made just 6 of 22 despite continued struggles to get 3-pointers) and their first road win of the season (while OU lost their first home loss in nine games).
“What I do on the floor is just me being me,” Frand said. “I feel very comfortable now.”
Perhaps the same can be said for the Gators (12-5, 3-1). Despite coming off a disappointing two-point loss at Missouri State, the Gators have clearly established their identity with three straight wins since the start of the SEC season. In addition to winning three straight Quadrant 1 games (No. 18 Georgia, No. 21 Tennessee, and now Oklahoma) by 15, 24, and 19 points, respectively, UF is focusing on physicality and defensive strength, with a heavy emphasis on beating opponents on the boards.
Chiniel, 6-foot-10 and 260 pounds, was in the center of it all from the jump.
“I’m just taking advantage of the opportunity,” he said.
In fact, he creates them.
“He’s playing at a very high level right now and with a lot of confidence,” said Handrochten, who is 7-1. “Just give him the ball. And if you don’t give him the ball, go ahead and shoot the ball because he’s going to go get it.”
University went on a 15-1 run within the first 10 minutes, turning a six-point lead into a 20-point lead. The Gators attacked the inferior Sooners in the paint (11-6, 1-3), scoring 30 points to Osaka University’s eight, shooting 54% in the first 20 minutes compared to 29% for the Sooners before entering the locker room. 46-24.
Outlook: Oklahoma sank eight of its first nine 3-pointers in the second half (rarely used guard Kirill Elatontsev made 4 of 4 en route to 17 points) and never threatened. That’s because Florida built a lead that ballooned to as many as 29 points early in the second half, shot plus-50% and cut the lead to 15 points within the final minute.
Even though University allowed 55 points in the second half, Golden did not lose. Golden praised his team’s defense “for the first 25 minutes.” He may have been a little frustrated with the Sooners’ slow shot-making, but the team never threatened despite a 27.6% performance from the arc (1-11 in the starting backcourt).
More perspective: Savor a 17-point road win in the SEC.
“It’s difficult,” Golden said. “And as I’ve been talking to the team this past week, I really feel like we’re taking a leap forward and getting better at the right time.”
Email the senior writer chris harry chrish@gators.ufl.edu. Find his story archive here.