#23/24 Florida 84, Troy 45
Box Score<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_documents_2021_11_28_Gamebook.pdf&d=DwIFAg&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=-oOR7doupkFXnIseYmkCx_j8s1IJVWLV9zNl5uOPFZHTuppjRHryb0UBgIRpwGP-&s=IkRlraO1O25n5Xs0J5YCaqglZW8JiZk3Vlu-cZDgoa8&e= > | Season Stats<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_documents_2021_11_9_2021-5F22-5FUFStats.pdf&d=DwIFAg&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=-oOR7doupkFXnIseYmkCx_j8s1IJVWLV9zNl5uOPFZHTuppjRHryb0UBgIRpwGP-&s=vfGoYYlFFIK-NTaF-aZCOGHBqob7oTbzg395_qQfiLg&e= >
Notable
* Florida has posted a 6-0 start to the season for the ninth time in program history and the first time since 2012-13.
* Previous starts 6-0 or better: 2012-13 (7-0), 2009-10 (8-0), 2006-07 (6-0), 2005-06 (17-0), 1984-85 (7-0), 1971-72 (6-0), 1955-56 (6-0), 1951-52 (10-0)
* The Gators started the game on a 13-0 run over the first four minutes of the game, including makes on their first three 3-point attempts, two by Myreon Jones and one by Phlandrous Fleming Jr. The Gators went on another 13-0 run to close the first half and take a 49-20 lead into the break, setting a season-low for points allowed in a half by Florida.
* Eight different Gators recorded a steal, as UF forced a season-high 21 turnovers and marked their third straight game with double-digit steals (11).
* Jones and Tyree Appleby co-led six Gators in double figures with 12 points each. It marked the first time Florida had six scorers in double figures since 12/28/19 vs. Long Beach State.
* Fleming made his first start as a Gator, with Brandon McKissic coming off the bench due to being limited in practice (hamstring) since Wednesday’s game vs. Ohio State.
Head Coach Mike White
On coming out and having business-like approach…
“I was really pleased with the mental approach, the way that we approached shoot around, pre-game, and the start that we got off to. I anticipated this game being closer. Scott (Cross) does a great job; Troy’s got a really good team. I think they’ll be really competitive in their league. They’re off to a good start, but you said it and I’ll steal your term: business-like approach. I thought we showed some maturity today and even in the second half, playing with a pretty sizeable lead. Some stuff to clean up obviously, both teams. It’s very early, but we didn’t have an effort let down in the second 20.”
On Myreon Jones…
“He can score in a variety of ways, he’s got a really nice stroke. He’s got a nose for the basketball. We’re a pretty good passing team. We’re turning the ball over too much right now, but the ball was pretty hot early. I thought it moved well, we had a pretty good tempo early and throughout the game for the most part. I thought Tyree set a really good screen for them in front of their bench early, I don’t know if that was his first three, his second three, or what. I think Jason had a really good pin down in the middle of the third for him where he got one at the top of the key. We’re doing a better job of screening; we’ve got a way to go in just executing everything that we’re doing.”
On the upcoming match against Oklahoma…
“I have not seen them play one possession yet. Because of the quick turn, we’ll probably change it up a little bit and spend less time on this film, less time than we normally would. When I say this, I mean the Troy film of course. Two day turn. We have guys in the cold tank right now, guys with ice bags on knees and ankles and all that good stuff. Tomorrow, we start immediately. We start to prep for Oklahoma. It’s going to be a very tough challenge of course. I look forward to really studying those guys this afternoon, tonight, and tomorrow morning. We’ve got one guy on staff whose got a little of a head start on the Sooners. I’m sure it’ll be a great environment. Porter’s really good at what he does, obviously. They’ll be prepared defensively. They’ll be hard to guard. We look forward to a lot of these challenges, not only this one. We’ve got a bunch of these high-level opportunities.”
#24 Phlandrous Fleming Jr., Graduate Guard
On when he found out he was making his first start…
“Right when we were about to tipoff. They gave us the matchups right before the game. Whoever they’re starting, we put who they want us to guard preferably. I found out right before the game. That’s the thing about us. We don’t have an attitude, or any emotions toward anybody. I was just as happy coming off the bench as I was starting today. Likewise, with Brandon – I think he was battling with his hamstring in the last two days and he hasn’t practiced as much. I think they were being smart on that end. It was not a big deal, honestly.”
On the offense…
“That’s really huge man. That’s our identity man. We have a lot of different pieces that can go get a bucket. We came from a lot of places. A lot of us scored a lot of points. Tonight, they were really focused on Colin. He’s our leading scorer most of the nights, but they were really focused on him. Every time he caught it, they doubled him. We had to spread the ball, so everybody got a touch and everybody got a piece. We got the win together.
On Kowacie Reeves…
“It was great to see. Great to see for his confidence. He battles and battles and battles in practice. Great to see for his confidence and he’s going to have a great year and a great career at Florida. Can’t wait.”
#0 Myreon Jones, Senior Guard
On a fast start…
“I just credit my teammates. They just kept looking for me. We just kept getting stops on defense and it led to fastbreaks. They were just looking for me. Through the offense, they were setting good screens for me, so I just created them to get me open.”
On getting going…
“It feels really good. I think it just motivates us to get more stops. The more stops we get, the more transition points we get, and it gives everybody freedom to get shots and show their talent. That’s how I got most of my shots. My teammates just getting stops. We’re running and I catch it. They get me open. On offense, they just set good screens for me, so I credit them for that.”
On defense…
“I think the defense connects us. We just get out. We’re a great fastbreak team. We get a lot of highlights and stuff just from playing defense. I think that’s more fun right now.”
