The more desperate team wins again
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When any regular season winds down to the final games, the victory normally goes to the more desperate team.
Unfortunately for LSU, the more desperate team on the PMAC floor Wednesday night was the one in the Florida uniforms. The Gators entered the game with the Tigers with a NET rating in the low 30s – a number which would put them in strong consideration for a NCAA tournament berth.
However, Florida had just a 6-6 Southeastern Conference record with no marquis victories. The Gators had lost twice to Tennessee and once to Kentucky. A road victory against LSU would certainly be a boost for Florida’s body of work. The Gators badly needed a significant victory.
One would expect the Tigers to display a sense of urgency since they started the night tied in the loss column with Tennessee for first place in the SEC. But, too many college basketball fans are far more obsessed with NCAA tournament seedings and not conference titles.
Florida looked like the team playing with a backs-to-the-wall approach. No players feel desperation more than seniors. The Gators’ two seniors – KeVaughn Allen and Jalen Hudson – dictated the outcome against LSU. Florida knocked off the Tigers 82-77 in overtime.
Allen scored 12 of his game-high 21 points during the extra period. Back-to-back 3-pointers from Allen put the Gators in front 76-70. Hudson, Florida’s best player, had been stuck in a season-long slump. He lost his starting job. But, it was Hudson who scored 15 points during regulation.
Most of the hustle numbers went in favor of the Gators. On numerous occasions, long rebounds ended up in the hands of Florida players. Tigers coach Will Wade lamented that the Gators recovered too many 50-50 balls.
Florida had nine steals – three more than LSU. The Tigers’ Tremont Waters made one steal in 35 minutes. The Gators turned 14 LSU turnovers into 21 points. The Tigers were not as opportunistic. LSU turned 14 Florida turnovers into only seven points.
The Tigers had assists on just nine of their 27 field goals. LSU had one of its poorest nights at the foul line – missing nine of 25 attempts. Marlon Taylor was 0-for-3 at the foul line. Waters split his four free throw attempts.
In addition, Gators coach Mike White had his players execute the game plan to perfection. The pace of the game was to Florida’s liking. The Tigers were forced to score against a packed-in Gators defense. Such a task is difficult for a LSU team which makes only one out of every 3-point shots.
White also wanted to take Waters’ playmaking out of the game. Waters was guarded primarily by 6-foot-5 freshman Andrew Nembhard. Moreover, a second player would run at Waters after he got the ball into the frontcourt. Florida successfully got the ball out of Waters’ hands.
Wade countered by using Javonte Smart at point guard and moving Waters to a wing. That adjustment somewhat negated Waters’ driving ability. Waters had an off night with his long-range shooting – making only two of eight 3-pointers. The defensive scheme stopped Waters from getting into a rhythm.
The box score showed ten points and four assists for Waters. The Tigers do not win when Waters puts up those numbers. In LSU’s five losses this season, Waters has shot 28 percent from the field, including 22 percent on 3-pointers. He has averaged ten points, four assists and five turnovers in those games.
Not only did White take Waters out of the game, but he did the same to the Tigers’ second-best player for 25 minutes. Naz Reid had a total of three points five minutes into the second half. Reid did put together a good last 20 minutes and finished with 16 points and 15 rebounds.
Every time Reid got the ball in the low post, Florida sent a second player at him. That double team resulted in five turnovers for Reid. In the LSU possession between Allen’s two critical 3-pointers in overtime, Reid committed a turnover.
Everything fell into place for the Gators, who did a lot to ensure the proper scenarios occurred. The Tigers played their eighth two-possession SEC game. LSU’s lost for just the second time. What bothered Wade is that both of those defeats came at home.
The roles should be reversed Saturday when Tennessee visits the PMAC. The Tigers should be the more desperate team since their chances of winning a SEC title depend upon beating the Vols. Wade needs to have his team perform as efficiently as White’s squad did Wednesday.
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