Some observations following Florida’s 79-61 loss to LSU:
– For as hard as Florida fought the keep the game close in the first half, the Gators closed the half with terrible execution. It began with a Dorian Finney-Smith turnover with 1:45 left, then freshman Chris Chiozza left LSU guard Keith Hornsby wide open for a 3-pointer in the corner to put LSU up 37-32. Jacob Kurtz missed a bunny with 3.1 seconds left and then, out of a timeout, Michael Frazier was unable to get his 3-pointer in the corner off before the first-half buzzer sounded. Finney-Smith drove the lane but waited to long to make the pass to the corner. The Gators trailed 37-32 halftime, but it could have been a tie game at the half without some of the late miscues
– Finney-Smith is back to his non-finishing ways. The 6-foot-8 forward is 9 of his last 26 from the field and missed several close shots around the basket. Billy Donovan called the missed short shots by Florida “a lack of focus” but the presence of LSU shot-blocking threat Jordan Mickey also altered some shots around the rim as well.
— For some of Florida’s home fans to start to bail at the 9 and 8-minute mark with the Gators trailing by double digits was shameful. Sometimes, seasons don’t turn out. But a home crowd can make a difference in a comeback. Less fans mean less energy in the building. Florida needs to do its part by making the crowd energized, but if you are going to spend $20-100 for a ticket, you may as well stick around and enjoy the game. You never know what can happen.
