Todd Golden reflects on how Tennessee flipped script on Florida second matchup

The second meeting of the season between the Florida Gators and Tennessee Volunteers went completely differently than the first. After the Gators were dominant at home in early January, it was the Volunteers’ turn to run away with a win at home to open the month of February.

Florida head coach Todd Golden worked to explain what happened after the game, admitting that the physicality of the game helped Tennessee to flip the script.

“It was all about the physicality,” Todd Golden said. “They’re incredibly physical. First half, I thought was a sign of the way the game was going, right? The score is 24-21 at halftime, just horrifically ugly basketball both ways with not a lot of fouls being called.”

Florida struggled to shoot the ball in the game against Tennessee, only making 13 out of 53 shots from the field. That included only making four out of 27 three-point shot attempts. That came in a game where Tennessee was called for 14 fouls and the Gators ended up taking 19 free throws.

That came after, in their first meeting, Florida made 27 of 68 shots and six of 20 three-point shots. However, the two were equal in turnovers and the Volunteers only made 21.4 percent of their shots from the field.

“We weren’t able to adjust well enough to the way the game is being played. I think that’s really it. They’re obviously an elite defensive team – very prideful, very physical. They can do that to you,” Golden said. “Again, we’re generally able to attack a little better, and we just weren’t able to today.”

One major problem that Golden and Florida ended up running into was the injury suffered by Walter Clayton. He twisted his ankle and while he was able to later return to the game, he wasn’t at full strength. Still, he did lead the Gators in scoring with 10 of the team’s 44 points. After the game, Golden explained what Clayton is dealing with physically.

“Obviously, tweaked his ankle,” Golden said. “He threw off his back foot in the first half off that ball screen and he landed on a Tennessee guy. He was off his back foot, faded the way, the guy came — not maliciously — but into him under his body and he landed his foot. Sprained it, taped it up, and gave it a good effort in the second half. Obviously, he wasn’t himself with his explosiveness. We’ll just have to take it day-by-day. I don’t think it’s crazy, crazy serious, but I’m sure he’s pretty sore.”

Florida will be back in action on Tuesday against Vanderbilt.