The Florida Gators and Xavier Musketeers get set for a late afternoon matchup on Thanksgiving in the in Portland, Oregon. Florida, out of the SEC, comes into the tournament 3-1 on the season. The Musketeers, out of the Big East, are also 3-1 on the young season. The opening tap is scheduled for 5:30pm EST.
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The Florida Gators leave the warm and sunny confines of Gainesville for the cooler temps of Oregon to take part in the Phil Knight Legacy Tournament. The Gators have won three of their first four games this season, dropping their only game to Florida Atlantic in a two-point home loss. On Friday night, in their toughest test to date, the Gators downed Florida State 76-67 on the road. The victory was made even more impressive by the fact that the Gators trailed by 17 points at halftime. The second half was a complete turnaround as Florida scored 33 of the first 38 points to start the half and held on for a victory. Colin Castleton led the way with 25 points and nine rebounds in the come-from-behind win. He was helped out by guard Will Richard who added 13 points and six rebounds. The Gators turnaround came thanks to the team's improved shooting. After shooting just 28% in the first half, the Gators bounced back to shoot 52% in the second half. The Gators also pulled out a pressure defense in the second half that resulted in 11 second half Seminoles' turnovers.
“We're not a big full-court pressure team and I've never been a big full-court pressure coach,” Florida head coach Todd Golden said. “But certain games call for certain things.”
we got the DUB. ?????#GoGators | @WellsFargo pic.twitter.com/D33jy1JsLb
— Florida Gators Men's Basketball (@GatorsMBK) November 19, 2022
Florida, at 3-1, has a 13.3 average point differential thus far through four games. They are shooting just 44% from the field and hitting 36% of their 3pt shots. The Gators have been tough on the glass with an average rebounding differential of +9.3 thus far. They are also +1.0 in turnover differential thus far, although the Gators are not prone to put on much pressure. The Gators are allowing teams to shoot just 40% from the field and 33% from long range.