Miami and No. 10 Florida, in-state foes who haven’t performed since November 2019, will renew their rivalry Sunday night time with a matchup in Jacksonville, Fla.
Because the defending nationwide champion, Florida (2-1) has discovered a beneficial 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 in opposition to Florida State, the Gators acquired a ton of physique blows from the Seminoles and hot-shooting switch guard Robert McCray V (29 factors) however had been capable of hold on for a 78-76 win over the hated Seminoles.
Thomas Haugh led the way in which 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 measurement 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, stated he and his teammates perceive what lies forward.
“We have to embrace it,” Haugh stated of being the title winners. “I feel coach (Todd) Golden stated that originally of the 12 months, that (we) would be the hunted not the hunters this 12 months. … We have to enter each area that is going to be bought out and stuff.”
“However I feel this group is assured, and the leaders on this group will have the ability to pull us via in the long run.”
The 6-foot-9 swingman is considered one of 5 Gators averaging double-figure scoring at a team-besrt 19.7 factors per sport. Fellow huge 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 Traditional 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 residence victories over the Sunshine State’s Jacksonville, Bethune-Cookman and Stetson.
“I am anticipating a combat, a conflict,” stated Hurricanes ahead Malik Reneau, a three-year participant for the Indiana Hoosiers who was as soon as a serious Florida prospect underneath earlier coach Mike White. “Like coach (Jai Lucas) stated within the locker room, it is not going to be lots of basketball.”
“It is going to be a conflict on the market, so I am anticipating to go on the market and provides (Florida) all I’ve obtained,” stated 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 Large 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 prime 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 stated.
–Discipline Stage Media
