#21/19 Florida Men’s Basketball (5-0) vs. Southern Illinois (2-2)
Florida Game Notes<https://floridagators.com/documents/2024/11/21/2024.11.22_SouthernIllinois.pdf> | 2024-25 Media Guide<https://floridagators.com/documents/2024/10/21/2024-25_Media_Guide.pdf> | Courtesy Photos & Press Conferences<https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/rb8ojhaf9ygpi6d0k3c9e/ANF6-ow4Wppu1j1zjAsnMXA?rlkey=g1esu5ww8r31yd8dyekcik5iw&st=3b1ht5u5&dl=0>
Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center | Gainesville, Fla.
Friday, Nov. 22, 2024 | 7 p.m.
TV/Streaming
SEC Network | ESPN App<https://www.espn.com/watch/player/_/id/7371f2e2-3aee-4cb9-981a-d01bc810a0e7>
Play-by-Play: Mike Morgan | Analyst: Mark Wise
Radio
Gators Sports Network from LEARFIELD | FloridaGators.com<https://floridagators.com/showcase?Live=5535> | SiriusXM 208/190 & SiriusXM App<https://sxm.app.link/SXM960>
Play-by-Play: Sean Kelley | Analyst: Lee Humphrey | Producer/Engineer: Steve Egan
The Tip-Off
* Florida welcomes Southern Illinois for the first meeting in series history, though UF head coach Todd Golden posted a 2-0 record against the Salukis while at San Francisco.
* UF’s 5-0 start to the season is the team’s best since a 6-0 opening to the 2021-22 campaign. The Gators also carry an 11-game home winning streak and a 17-1 record over their past 18 home games into the contest.
* Florida has posted a double-figure rebounding advantage in each of the past two games, going +18 vs. Florida State and +11 against Florida A&M.
* Three Gators have combined for five individual 20-point performances this season: Walter Clayton Jr. scored 29 vs. USF and 25 at Florida State; Will Richard had 25 vs. USF and 20 vs. FAMU; and Alex Condon scored a career-high 23 vs. Jacksonville.
* Walter Clayton Jr. has hit a 3-pointer in 28 straight games. With a 3-pointer on Friday, he would match Craig Brown for the fifth-longest streak in program history with a 29-game streak.
* Five Gators are averaging double figures so far this season, led by Walter Clayton Jr.’s 18.4 points per game. Clayton is joined by Will Richard (15.0), Alijah Martin (13.6), Alex Condon (12.2) and Sam Alexis (10.0).
* Florida has knocked down 10 3-pointers in back-to-back games, with Walter Clayton Jr. leading the way at 7-for-17 (.412) from long range over the past two games.
2024-25 at a Glance
* Florida’s +18 rebounding advantage pushed the Gators past Florida State for the fourth straight win vs. the Seminoles. Walter Clayton Jr. led the attack with 25 points, while Alijah Martin added 17.
* Eight Gators scored eight or more points in UF’s win vs. Jacksonville, including Rueben Chinyelu’s 14 points, which matched his career high.
* UF used an explosive 59-point second half to secure the season-opening win vs. USF. While the Gators struggled from 3-point range, they shot 28-for-37 from 2-point range (.757) while getting to the line and converting to the tune of 27-for-33 (.818).
* Florida entered its third season under head coach Todd Golden looking to build on its 24-win NCAA Tournament season in 2023-24, the team’s most wins since the 2016-17 season. The Gators boast a backcourt trio of 1,000-point scorers in Walter Clayton Jr., Will Richard and FAU grad transfer Alijah Martin.
* The Gators return leading scorer and All-SEC guard Walter Clayton Jr., who posted 17.6 points per game and knocked down 93 3-pointers. Fellow starter Will Richard also returns coming off a 11.4 scoring average with 70 3-point field goals last season.
* Sophomores Alex Condon (2023-24 SEC All-Freshman, 2024-25 preseason third-team All-SEC) and Thomas Haugh look to make a jump in their second season in Gainesville.
* Denzel Aberdeen returns to the backcourt, boosted by his career game in the SEC Tournament semifinals where he dropped in 20 points vs. Texas A&M. Florida ranked No. 21 in EvanMiya.com’s overall transfer activity, bringing in Alijah Martin (FAU) and big men Rueben Chinyelu (Washington State) and Sam Alexis (Chattanooga).
* Newcomer sophomore guard Urban Klavzar is coming off a silver medal and all-tournament team effort for Slovenia in the FIBA U20 EuroBasket where he averaged 16.1 points per game.
* Florida’s coaching staff of Carlin Hartman, Korey McCray, Kevin Hovde, John Andrzejek and Taurean Green all return in their roles this season. Jordan Jacobson has been promoted to director of basketball operations and Nolan Crist to video coordinator, while Jon Michelini becomes the head athletic trainer following Duke Werner’s move into administration.
