Some observations following Florida’s 72-49 win over Missouri:
– The Gators should get to the Georgia Dome early Saturday to get in some extra free-throw shooting. Florida was 10 of 20 from the FT line against Missouri, it’s worst day since going 44.4 percent (4-9) on Feb. 1 against Texas A&M. The big culprit, Florida senior center Patric Young, who was 1 of 6 from the foul line against the Tigers. Young had been 18 of his last 24 from the free-throw line (75 percent) before Friday’s performance.
– Florida senior point guard Scottie Wilbekin showed how an SEC player of the year can finish the regular-season averaging just 12.9 points per game. Wilbekin made impact plays defensively with four of UF’s nine steals. He also continues to hit big shots in big moments. With Florida holding a slim 38-36 lead and under 12 minutes remaining, Wilbekin scored six of his points on 3-pointers during a decisive 12-0 Florida run.
– Good things happen when you move and share the basketball. In the first half, a stagnant Gator team was careless with passes at times and finished with 6 assists to 7 turnovers. In the second half, with ball and player movement more crisp, Florida had 10 assists to 2 turnovers. As a result. Florida outscored Missouri 43-20 in the final 2o minutes.
