Gators Aim to Reverse Trend Thursday at Arkansas

January 18, 2018 By

Florida travels the 1,036 miles to Fayetteville, where the Gators play Arkansas on Thursday. Tip-off from Bud Walton Arena is set for 7:02 p.m. ET/6:02 p.m. CT.

The Gators are in search of their first SEC win this season and face a Razorback club that is 8-1 at home with its lone loss coming against Alabama, 83-76, on Jan. 7.

Arkansas’ last game was a 68-58 road win at Auburn, where Florida lost its league debut, 84-55.

 

Hi Mom!

  • Today’s game is the Gator’s second of six consecutive games televised by SEC Network.
  • Courtney Lyle and Tamika Catchings will be calling the action tonight.
  • Florida has at least 13 games set for television this season.

 

So Close!

  • The Gators have lost five straight games, including each of the last four by single digits. In that fifth game, Florida actually held a 15-point first-half lead.
  • Overall this season, the Gators have played nine games decided by 10 points or less (3-6 record overall, 0-4 SEC)

 

Gators vs. Razorbacks: The Series

  • 34-Game Series: UF leads 25-9 (UF Home: 11-3; Away: 10-5; Neutral: 4-1)
  • Streak: Florida has won four straight games against Arkansas, including both of last year’s meetings, with one of those in the first round of the SEC Tournament.
  • Extended Streak: Two of the last three meetings in Fayetteville have gone to overtime, with both teams winning one of the extra period games

 

“Chuck it from the Cheap Seats!”

  • The Gators are listening to Coach Cam Newbauer’s approach to shooting and has told every member of the team to “chuck it from the cheap seats!” (Coach is a HUGE movie guy and the quote is from “Hoosiers”)
  • The Gators reset the program record for threes in a game twice already. The new standard stands at 17 after the Nov. 23 performance against Savannah State.
  • The team canned 15 three-pointers vs. Richmond (11/21/17) to first break the program record for threes in a game, which was 13 at Arkansas, Feb. 1, 2009.
  • Four of the top five single-game records for threes have come under Cam.

 

Gators for THREEEEEE!

  • Entering Thursday’s game, the Gators are averaging 9.4 three-pointers per game and converting at a 33.0 percent clip.
  • Thru games played Jan. 11, UF ranks tied-No. 14 in the country in threes per game; and No. 11 in total three-pointers made (169).
  • Florida has converted double-digit threes in NINE games this year, most recently 10 vs. Kentucky (Jan. 11).
  • It took just six games for TEN of the 11 players on the scholarship roster to hit at least one trey this season.

 

What Else do the Gators do well?

  • Aside from hitting the three at an SEC-leading rate (all games), Florida does not get fouled. The Gators rank No. 4 in the country in staying out of foul trouble, being whistled for just 12.9 fouls per game.
  • It wasn’t until Florida’s 16th game of the season that a Gator (Delicia Washington) fouled out – and that didn’t happen until there was 2:45 remaining in the second-overtime period at Ole Miss!
  • Washington became the first Gator to foul out during regulation, doing so in UF’s 18th game of the year (vs. LSU) with 20.8 seconds remaining and the Gators in a must-foul situation.

 

What Just Happened

  • Haley Lorenzen and Delicia Washington both recorded double-doubles and Florida was involved in its fourth consecutive game decided by single digits, however, the Gators were unable to overcome a rough third quarter in a 66-59 loss to LSU.
  • Florida outscored LSU in three of the four quarters. It was that third quarter that became the Gator’s undoing, as the Tigers posted a 21-9 scoring advantage that proved to be the difference in the game.
  • During that third quarter, LSU outrebounded Florida 15-6, grabbing four on the offensive end. The Gators committed four turnovers that resulted in seven Tiger points, as the Gators hit just 23.1 percent (3-13) from floor, including a 1-7 effort from the three-point arc, while LSU shot 50 percent overall and 3-6 from deep.

 

Gator Watch

  • Through 18 games, Florida is averaging 70.3 points per game, with all five starters averaging double-figure scoring.
  • Top two Gator scorers: Funda Nakkasoglu (14.9 ppg) and Haley Lorenzen (12.6 ppg)
  • Top two rebounders: Haley Lorenzen (9.3 pg) and Delicia Washington (8.9 pg)
  • Assists leaders: Delicia Washington (64 total, 3.6 pg) and Dyandria Anderson (58 total, 3.2 pg)

 

Who’s Hot!

  • During the last three games, it’s been Florida’s frontcourt that has led the team offensively, with Haley Lorenzen atop the chart with 16.0 points and 10.0 rebounds per game.
  • Fellow forward Paulina Hersler is averaging 13.7 points and 7.7 rebounds during the last three games.
  • Sophomore Delicia Washington continues to show her diversity on the court and is UF’s leading rebounder during the last three games, collecting 10.7 per game along with a team-best 14 assists (4.7 pg).

 

Links to Tuesday’s Media Interviews:

 

Game Day at a Glance

  • Who: Florida (8-10, 0-5 SEC) at Arkansas (11-7, 2-3 SEC)
  • Where: Bud Walton Arena (19,200), Fayetteville, Arkansas
  • When: Thu., January 18 * 7 pm ET/6 pm CT

 

Game Notes (PDF):

 

Gator Game Coverage & More!

  • Television: SEC Network with Courtney Lyle & Tamika Catchings

o   http://www.getsecnetwork.com/

  • Streaming Video: WatchESPN app

o   http://www.espn.com/watch/_/id/3245167/arkansas-vs-florida

  • Radio: ESPN Gainesville 98.1FM & 850AM WRUF with Kyle Crooks & Brittany Davis
  • Internet Audio: link thru FloridaGators.com (FREE)

o   http://floridagators.com/showcase?Live=952

  • Internet Scoring: LIVE thru FloridaGators.com

o   http://stats.statbroadcast.com/broadcast/?id=185268

 

Opening Tip

  • Each of Florida’s last four games has been decided by single digits and in each of them, the Gators have held the lead.
  • Florida is still seeking its first SEC win of the season despite having held a lead all five games.
  • Florida and Arkansas feature the SEC’s two head coaching newcomers, with Cameron Newbauer and Mike Neighbors hired during the off season.
  • The Gators lead the SEC (SEC games only) in 3-pointers made per game (8.4) and are No. 2 in 3-point FG percentage defense (28.3%)
  • Gator junior Funda Nakkasoglu ranks No. 2 in the SEC (SEC games only) for 3-pointers made per game (3.0 pg).

 

Gator Pronunciations for this Release:

  • DYANDRIA Anderson: dee-ANN-dree-uh
  • Sydney SEARCY: SIR-see
  • Gabby SEILER: SIGH-ler
  • DELICIA Washington: duh-LEE-shuh

 

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