Florida Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)

GETTING INSIDE

Florida was hoping to carry the momentum of its 8-0 start through December and into Southeastern Conference play.

But the Gators (8-3) have regressed in all phases of the game during a three-game losing streak that’s left some wondering if a third straight trip to the NIT is in the cards.

“You can’t hide from it,” said junior forward Alex Tyus. “It’s reality. We haven’t won anything yet. It’s a long season and you have to keep battling, keep getting better.”

Florida players could accept an 85-73 loss to No. 5 Syracuse in Tampa. But back-to-back close losses to Richmond and South Alabama provided cause for concern. The South Alabama loss was Florida’s first at home in December since dropping a 74-70 game to Louisville on Dec. 11, 2004.

“I can get our guys physically ready to play,” Florida coach Billy Donovan said. “But I can’t get them mentally ready to play.”

Florida scored just 64 points per game during its three-game losing streak. Poor shooting and careless turnovers have contributed to the lack of offensive production. Florida shot just 3-for-22 from 3-point range in its 67-66 loss to South Alabama.

“I’m imploring them to just be resilient,” Donovan said. “But when it’s shot after shot after shot after shot doesn’t go in, and you’re having to play defense for 30 seconds … not that we need to shoot 50 percent from the 3-point line. We shoot 33 percent from the 3-point line and we shoot 40 percent from the field, that’s all you’re going to do.”

NOTES, QUOTES

• Freshman G Kenny Boynton has began his UF career in a shooting slump. Boynton is shooting 36.5 percent from the floor and 22.5 percent from 3-point range. “Kenny may have taken some bad shots, but I think the same thing can be said of the rest of our team,” Florida coach Billy Donovan said. “Guys are going to have ups and downs. He’s got to have the freedom to take good shots, to take unchallenged shots.” Boynton leads UF in scoring at 13.7 points per game.

• Florida gave up 16 offensive rebounds in three of first four December games (against Jacksonville, Syracuse and South Alabama).

January At A Glance: Florida’s final big non-conference test on Jan. 3 at North Carolina State will serve as an important springboard heading into Southeastern Conference play. The Gators need a big win on their NCAA Tournament resume after back-to-back losses against Richmond and South Alabama. After the SEC opener on Jan. 9 at Vanderbilt, the Gators return home for a big showdown Jan. 12 against No. 3 Kentucky.

Quote To Note: “No question, I think our guys are going to have to dig deep down inside and try to battle to get through.”—Florida coach Billy Donovan, on his team’s current three-game losing streak.

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

Season Recap: What started as a promising season for Florida has turned south in a hurry. After getting off to an 8-0 start, its third best in school history, Florida has dropped three in a row. Florida has been done in of late by poor perimeter shooting, an inability to keep opponents off the offensive boards and careless turnovers.

Player Rotation: Usual Starters—C Vernon Macklin, F Alex Tyus, F Dan Werner, G Erving Walker, G Kenny Boynton. Key Subs—F Chandler Parsons, G Ray Shipman, F-C Erik Murphy.

Game Review:

Syracuse 85, Florida 73

Richmond 56, Florida 53

South Alabama 67, Florida 66

Game Preview:

vs. American, Monday, Dec. 28

vs. Presbyterian, Wednesday, Dec. 30

at North Carolina State, Sunday, Jan. 3

at Vanderbilt, Saturday, Jan. 9

vs. Kentucky, Tuesday, Jan. 12

In Focus: Florida’s back-to-back losses against South Alabama and Richmond are directly related to the 3-point line. The Gators shot a combined 6-for-37 from 3-point range in those two losses. Meanwhile, South Alabama and Richmond combined to shoot 14-for-30 from beyond the arc. “When (South Alabama) comes in here and shoots over 75 percent in the first half from the 3-point line, that’s ridiculous,” Florida junior forward Chandler Parsons said.

Roster Report:

• C Kenny Kadji, still hobbled with back problems, played just four minutes against Richmond and did not play against South Alabama.

• F/C Erik Murphy re-injured his shoulder in Florida’s 56-53 loss to Richmond and did not play against South Alabama.