Some observations following Florida’s 96-91 loss to LSU on Saturday night:
– In my best Clara Peller voice, I ask, ‘Where’s the defense?’ Florida allowed LSU to shoot 55 percent from the field for the game and 43.5 percent from 3-point range. LSU hit its first five shots of the game and other shots weren’t contested nearly well enough in a game in which NCAA Tournament hopes were on the line.
– Florida’s point guard play in the first half also contributed heavily to falling behind 40-29 at halftime. Point guards Chris Chiozza and Kasey Hill combined for six turnovers in the first and finished the game with an assist-to-turnover ratio of 10 to 8. Florida coach Mike White said he wasn’t trying to send a message when redshirt freshman Brandone Francis-Ramirez was UF’s point guard to start the second half. He was just trying something different. “With this team, I’ve gone through a lot of trial and error,” White said. “And until the ball stops bouncing, we’re going to continue trying whatever we’ve got to try. Especially offensively.”
– White was none to pleased about an intentional foul call against Florida center John Egbunu on LSU center Craig Victor in the closing minutes. It’s the most animated White has been with the refs this season, and it resulted in a bench warning against the Gators. “I questioned it,” White said. “Absolutely. I have no explanation for it. I guess I don’t understand the rule correctly because John Egbunu has literally been chased around the floor in several games this year and fouled so they can send them to the foul line and we did that tonight, the same exact thing, and we were called for an intentional foul. I don’t understand it and that’s my fault.”
