After some struggles through the Christmas holidays, Florida has found its formula for success in Southeastern Conference play.
Another balanced scoring night lifted the Gators to a 76-64 win over LSU at the O'Connell Center. Florida (15-4, 3-1 SEC) won its third straight.
After six players reached double figures in UF's first road win at South Carolina, Florida followed it up off a bye during the week with five players reaching double figures against LSU.
"Anybody on our team can really score, and that is really important to us," Florida junior forward Erik Murphy said. "We have to try to continue to play together and spread the wealth."
Florida will need to continue to play selfless basketball through the rest of its back-loaded SEC schedule. Florida's final 12 SEC games include two games against Kentucky, two more against Vanderbilt and single games with Alabama and Mississippi State. All four league teams are expected to be in the mix for NCAA tournament berths.
"It's going to be a daunting task for us," Florida coach Billy Donovan said. "We've had our bye. We've had a lot of Thursday-Saturday games.
"Our guys want to do it. I have great confidence in them. But there is no question this will be a great challenge."
NOTES, QUOTES
Florida's bench outscored LSU's bench 24-10 in its 76-64 win over the Tigers. The Gators improved to 8-0 in games when their bench outscores the opponent's bench. Junior guard Mike Rosario has helped spark UF's bench production, averaging 9.3 ppg over his last three games.
Florida is 10-0 at home this season and has won 16 straight at the O'Connell Center. Florida's last loss at the O'Dome came on Jan. 15, 2011 to South Carolina (72-69).
PF Erik Murphy has blocked a shot in seven straight games. Murphy leads the Gators with 22 blocked shots.
QUOTE TO NOTE
"We are a great group of kids that sometimes to me get a little too easy going. And we need to have a little more fire, a little more passion, and I think that's probably got to come from me as a coach," Florida coach Billy Donovan, on boosting UF's practice intensity following its 67-56 loss at Tennessee earlier this month.
