Tyrese Samuel calls Florida frontcourt 'one of the best in the country'

Florida had a tough midweek game, coming up just short in overtime on the road at Alabama. Turning the page and refocusing on Vanderbilt wasn’t going to be easy.

But the veteran leadership of players like big man Tyrese Samuel made it possible, and the Gators gutted the Commodores 77-64 on Saturday afternoon in the O’Dome to bounce back.

“Just like don’t forget the goal. Our goal is to make the tournament and so you’ve just got to play hard,” said Samuel on the SEC Network, asked about the message heading into Saturday’s game. “It was a tough loss but don’t lose, don’t forget about the goal. Just compete every day, don’t matter who we’re playing. We’re playing for a reason, seeding and all that. So that was the topic of this week.”

Samuel was excellent in establishing Florida’s post presence against Vanderbilt.

He finished the game with 15 points, six rebounds, two assists and two blocks. Florida won the battle of the points in the paint 30-26.

But it wasn’t just Samuel working things in the frontcourt. Florida has a four-man rotation there that has proven highly effective.

“I think our front line is one of the best in the country,” Samuel said. “We’re young, too, and the things that we’re able to do (Alex Condon), (Thomas) Haugh and Micah (Handlogten), we’ve got shot-blockers, scorers, versatility. And I just think that’s where we stand out amongst everyone right now, is just our versatility.

“We’re able to do high-low, play with each other, we’re good passing. Yeah, we’re just able to score the ball and I think we’re pretty calm when it comes to tough times in the second half. So that’s what separates us, I think.”

Samuel has been the ringleader, though. He’s always got a smile on his face, and his energy seems infectious.

“I’m just a happy guy,” Samuel said. “A lot of people tell me that I’m always smiling. To be honest, I don’t really know why, but what’s not to smile about? I ain’t mad, so you’ve got to smile.”

Florida will certainly be smiling after Saturday’s win. The Gators are now comfortably ahead of the NCAA Tournament bubble, likely just playing for seeding the rest of the way.

Samuel knows this stretch is what the team has worked for.

“Times are going to get tough, games are going to get harder, more physical,” he said. “Just kind of stay calm and keep your mental right. Lot of people are going to start yelling. You don’t want to get it into your head too much, so stay calm and everything will fall into place. Basketball is about positive energy, so just stay positive and everything will fall into place.”

Florida will be back in action on Wednesday with a home game against Missouri. The game will tip at 6:30 p.m. ET on the SEC Network.