Records: Florida 9-3; Grambling State 2-10
Next up for Florida: Quinnipiac, Saturday, Dec. 30, 1 p.m., ESPNU
Notable
* Florida shared the ball at an elite level with 27 assists, marking the team’s most since a 27-assist game vs. Florida A&M on Dec. 5, 2007.
* The Gator bench posted 16 assists vs. two turnovers. Denzel Aberdeen and Alex Condon both dished a career-best five assists.
* Tyrese Samuel recorded his fifth double-double of the season with 15 points and 10 rebounds.
* Five Gators scored in double figures for the second time this season. In addition to Samuel, Will Richard had a game-high 17, Zyon Pullin scored 14, Thomas Haugh posted a career-best 13 and Denzel Aberdeen added 11.
* Richard matched his career high with five made 3-pointers, hitting 5 of 9 attempts from long range.
* The Gators used their fifth different starting lineup of the season, and Bennett Andersen and Cooper Josefsberg made their collegiate debuts. Andersen, who was a Florida manager for three years, scored his first basket.
* Florida shot a season-best .623 from the field, hit 11 of 21 3-point attempts (most made 3FG this season) and went 9-for-10 from the free throw line.
Head Coach Todd Golden
On the importance of playing a clean game…
“We accomplished what we needed to tonight. This was obviously not necessarily one of the toughest opponents we’ve played, but to answer your question it was definitely a clean game. When you get a challenge like this – last contest before Christmas break, guys super-excited to get their three days off with their families and get home – sometimes this game can get lost in the wash a little bit, and your energy and enthusiasm to compete isn’t always there. But I thought our guys, to a man, did a really good job that way. The thing I’m most excited about, 27 assists tonight. I mean, that’s a heck of a number. Only 10 turnovers. We shot the ball very well, we were efficient, and we were pretty tough. So, really happy with the way we competed in our last effort before the break.”
On where the team 12 games in an what can be improved on…
“We’ve got plenty that we need to improve upon. We haven’t consistently played at a super, super high level all year, which is obviously the goal – to reach that peak and be able to sustain it. We still haven’t really had everybody clicking on all cylinders at the same time. Obviously, we played well tonight, but Riley [Kugel] was out, and he’s going to be a big part of our group as we get into conference play. In our locker room, we know we have a lot of room to improve in different areas, whether it be offensively or defensively, and that should be exciting that we’re able to be 9-3 right now. … I do believe our best basketball is in front of us with this group, and that’s the carrot that we’re dangling and the hope is that we can reach that high level as we get into SEC play.”
On playing hard for 40 minutes…
“The concern in a game like this is that you just don’t attack the game the right way and you don’t honor the game in the way you compete, and you feel like you’re just going to get through it. I didn’t feel that at all tonight. From the jump, I thought we were competing really well. They went on a little run in the first half, and we held on to our guts and got it back out to 17 at halftime and obviously played well in the second half. Our bench guys came in and played really solid, clean basketball. I think our bench combined to have 16 assists and two turnovers, which is really, really good. I’m very pleased with the way we played tonight.”
Sophomore G Denzel Aberdeen
On the opportunity for increased minutes with Riley Kugel out (foot)…
“My teammates and coaches always say, ‘Be ready for when your name is called,’ no matter how many minutes you may get, and no matter the position you’re in. With Riley out, I was given an opportunity to show what I can do, and my teammates put me in the right position to score.”
On the win and the confidence it provides…
“It definitely brings us up, knowing that we have to keep this energy going into the break with conference play coming up. Definitely happy for the win, definitely happy to go back to our families, but we just have to keep in mind that when we come back, we have got to keep going. We can’t slow down.”
Senior G Bennett Andersen
On making his first appearance and scoring a basket…
“Feels pretty cool. Shout out to Kajus for that pass, good pass there.”
On his journey from being manager for three years to joining the team this season…
“It’s been super cool, both from friends who went to UF telling me ‘Congrats,’ and [my teammates] are all really cool. We have a team of really good dudes. Coach Golden focused on that this offseason in the transfer portal, bringing in really good people, and that makes this transition easier, when everyone around you supports you. I haven’t seen the video yet, but I know that when I do, I’m going to see them all going crazy on the bench. Having this really great group of dudes has made it super fun.”
Grad F Tyrese Samuel
On playing a clean game and what that means as the team prepares for SEC play…
“It means a lot. It sends us into break with a boost of energy, come back, see family, be ready for Quinnipiac, and then getting ready for SEC play. We played hard for all 40 minutes, and that was what we emphasized the most, playing hard for all 40 minutes so I feel like, we’re all in good spirits. So, now we go home for Christmas, come back with positive vibes and be ready to play.”
On the bench’s impact…
“[In practices] they’ve been beating the starting five. When their name is called, they’re all ready to play. They aren’t scared of anyone. I’m happy for them. Tommy [Haugh], Condo [Alex Condon], everyone, they’re all ready. As the games go on, you can see, they’re more experienced. The game slows down, they’re scoring the baskets that they weren’t in the beginning of the season, they’re making the right plays. Happy for them.
