After a week to remember, Florida is heading into its home matchup with Auburn with renewed confidence.
The Gators completed a two-game road sweep with a 98-68 win at Arkansas, handing the Razorbacks their worst loss in 18 years at Bud Walton Arena.
"It was the perfect storm in a lot of ways because we got to the free throw line and we shot the ball very well," Florida coach Billy Donovan said.
Earlier in the week, Florida won 61-52 at Alabama. The two-game winning streak helped Florida recover from back-to-back losses the previous week against Kentucky and Tennessee.
In the Alabama win, Florida did it with defense, holding the Crimson Tide to 40 percent from the floor and 25 percent from 3-point range. In the Arkansas win, Florida did it with shooting. The Gators entered the game shooting just 29.9 percent (23-77) in their previous three games but broke out of the slump in a big way -- Florida made eight of its last nine 3-point attempts in the first half to build a 53-27 halftime lead.
Overall, the Gators finished the Arkansas game shooting 58.3 percent from floor, 56.5 percent (13-23) from 3-point range and 85.3 percent (29-34) from the free throw line.
"We knew it was going to come," Florida junior guard Kenny Boynton said. "You are going to go through stretches where you are going to have bad games. I think this was a game for us to get back on track."
NOTES, QUOTES
-After early struggles, Florida is learning how to win on the road. The victory at Arkansas was the Gators' fourth in their last five road games after starting the season 0-4 on the road. "It's a growing process for any team to win on the road," Florida coach Billy Donovan said. "Sometimes, you've got to go through struggles." A key has been taking care of the ball. In Florida's first four road losses, the Gators averaged 17.3 turnovers per game. In UF's last five road games through the one at Arkansas, the Gators averaged just 9.8 turnovers per game.
-Florida's 98-68 win at Arkansas was the third largest road win in school history. The other two were Jan. 13, 2007 at South Carolina (84-30) and Jan. 29, 1966 at Ole Miss (96-61).
-With five 3-pointers against Arkansas, Florida senior point guard Erving Walker moved past Anthony Roberson (267) for third on UF's all-time 3-pointers made list. With 270 career 3s, Walker trails only Brett Nelson (274) and Lee Humphrey (288).
THIS WEEK'S GAMES:
-Auburn, Feb. 21
KEY MATCHUPS: Florida shooting guard Kenny Boynton will need to be at his best on the perimeter to stop Auburn junior guard Frankie Sullivan, who is capable of a hot shooting night. Inside, Auburn PF Kenny Gabriel is an athletic plus-rebounding forward who could give Florida PF Erik Murphy problems. Look for the Gators to bring more athletic, defensive-minded PF Will Yeguete off the bench if Gabriel is having his way with Murphy early.
-at Georgia, Feb. 25
KEY MATCHUPS: Both teams play three-guard starting lineups, but Florida freshman Bradley Beal is the most physical of the three guards and will likely match up with fellow Georgia 6-foot-5 freshman phenom guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. At the point guard spot, Florida senior Erving Walker and Georgia senior Gerald Robinson are both capable of penetrating to the basket and making plays because of their quickness with the ball. Walker, though, is the better outside shooter.
FUTURES MARKET
It was another strong week for Florida freshman phenom Bradley Beal. The 6-foot-3 guard averaged 17.5 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2 blocks per game in wins over Alabama and Arkansas. Beal scored 21 points against Arkansas but couldn't outdo his former St. Louis high school rival B.J. Young, who scored 31 points for the Hogs. But Beal was more satisfied with the win. "The team win is way more important than me doing what I'm doing individually," Beal said.
PLAYER NOTES
-PG Erving Walker scored a career-high 31 points against Arkansas. Walker went 9 of 12 from the floor and 5 of 6 from 3-point range. The 5-foot-8 senior had been two for his previous 18 from 3-point range and said he spent extra time in the gym during the week to try to break out of his slump. "I had to," Walker said with a chuckle, "the way I've been shooting."
-Junior G Mike Rosario has missed three straight games with a hip pointer. Rosario sat out UF wins over Alabama and Arkansas.
-F Will Yeguete sat out the Alabama game with a concussion but returned to contribute in a big way against Arkansas. With starters Patric Young and Erik Murphy in foul trouble, Yeguete had 4 points and 11 rebounds in 27 minutes. "He was a huge, huge bonus for us," Florida coach Billy Donovan said.
QUOTE TO NOTE
"I was real patient today. I didn't rush. I just had the game at my speed the whole time." -- Florida senior point guard Erving Walker, on his career-high 31 point performance at Arkansas. Walker also had five assists and no turnovers against an Arkansas team that came into the game forcing 17.1 turnovers per game.
