Everything Todd Golden said about Gators' rematch with Vanderbilt

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Todd Golden and the Florida Gators (14-14/7-8 SEC) are back on the road Saturday for a rematch with a Vanderbilt team that has won five of its last six games.

That includes an 88-80 victory for the Commodores in Gainesville two weeks ago. The Gators, meanwhile, have lost five of their last six games, as well as Colin Castleton to a broken hand.

Here is everything Gators coach Todd Golden said Friday on the matchup with Vanderbilt (15-13/8-7 SEC), how Florida has played without Castleton, how recruiting is going and more.

On if UF has been more predictable post-Castleton:

Todd Golden: “Obviously, we have to be a little different, with missing Colin, because he was such a big part of what we did. We have to do some different things. I don’t know if it necessarily makes us more predictable. I guess in a sense they know without Colin being out there we won’t be doing what we were doing. It’s hard to say, to be honest. I think it’s obviously clear to everybody that we have to be a little different now, so some adjustments will be made. You can probably assume we’ll do things on both sides of the ball a little differently.”

On how to avoid becoming predictable with him out: 

Golden: “It’s the million-dollar question and kind of what we’re working through right now. I was actually really pleased with the way we performed on Wednesday, coming off the Arkansas game where you could tell we were a little disjointed. We just weren’t very comfortable out there without Colin [at Arkansas]. I didn’t think that was the case, especially offensively, Wednesday. We were really efficient offensively Wednesday. We got rim finishes, shot the ball, made free throws, took care of the ball pretty well for most of the game. It was really on the defensive side and trying to shore us up that way, as Colin was such a big part of the back side of our defense. I think we’re getting there. We’re growing on a day-to-day basis and just trying to find ways to grow incrementally better. But we’re on the right trajectory with the group we have right now.”

On the plan against Liam Robbins: 

Golden: “He played really, really well. There’s some games where you have to tip your cap a little bit. I think he made three 3s against us the first time and a couple of them were well-contested. He did a really good job of making mid-range jump shots and the one area he’s really, really good is getting to the foul line and I think we got to do a good job tomorrow of living without fouling and having to live with some of the makes that he gets because he’s just a good shot-maker that way. We can’t let him live at the foul line. I think he shot 24 free throws against Auburn or something like that. I think he had 12 or 14 or something like that in our game. The 3s hurt you and they feel bad over the course of the game but really the free throws is kind of like the slow bleed where if you’re getting to the line over and over again over the course of the game, that’s going to end up being a big deal for us.”

On preparing Jason Jitoboh for the matchup: 

Golden: “Jason and Colin are a lot different so we’re going to do some things different with those guys involved. But Jason has done a good job these last three games defending without fouling for the most part. I think he’s grown that way. Longer minutes will probably allow him to be more comfortable and we’re going to have to tweak a couple things with the matchup.”

On whether or not this matchup suits Aleks Szymczyk:

Golden: “I think it suits him well because of the way they defend. I think that’ll benefit us a little bit. His physicality will help us. He’s really strong. I think him and Jason are both big, strong bodies who hopefully will wear on Liam a little bit. I can see him having some really good moments in this game.”

On getting a spark from Kowacie Reeves off the bench:

Golden: “It’s important for us. He’s been a guy over the course of the year where he’s had moments where he’s been really good for us and provided that punch. Scoring 16 off the bench is hard to find when you get a performance like that, it’s really beneficial. He seems like he’s getting back in his comfort zone and in a really good rhythm over the past couple games so I’m hopeful he’ll continue to play well down the stretch for us.”

On Niels Lane’s performance against Kentucky:

Golden “I thought he was really good. I thought, you know, talked a little bit about this after the game. You know, without Colin, we lose some athleticism and obviously some prowess on the defensive end. And I think that’s an area where Niels can really help us. And he’s very competitive, defends very well and believes. You know, he’s out there believing, and that’s what we need a little bit more of. And so, we thought he could lift us and help us that way. I thought he did a really good job. And the benefit, the value of Niels is he’s not gonna be scared out there. He’s gonna go out there and compete, lay it all out on the line. And down the stretch without Colin, I think this team needs that.

On Riley Kugel’s shot selection:

Golden: “I think he’s been pretty consistent in terms of the shots he’s been able to get. Couple things, he’s really good at getting to the rim, and that’s obviously a very valuable thing. And he’s done a really good job in the second half of the season finishing at the rim. He did a good job getting there early but was having trouble finishing. I feel like now he’s grown, and now he’s putting those balls in a lot. And obviously, his three-point shooting has been a huge benefit for us. His ability to not only catch and shoot threes but to get ‘em off the bounce. Something that is really valuable to have a guy that can create his own shot and make it like he’s been doing. But this is, you know, I wouldn’t expect him to do that every night, but he’s been on this trajectory, and he’s been playing really, really well for us over the course of conference play and kind of maturing into the player we knew he was capable of becoming.”

On defending ‘Dores from 3 after they made 12 in Gainesville:

Golden: “It’s a point of emphasis. It’s a little tip of the cap. It’s a little point of emphasis again because we know that’s a way they can hurt us. They run things to specifically get those types of looks. They have multiple guys that can shoot it. Obviously, Robbins is a pick and pop. Or not, I shouldn’t say pick and pop solely, but a five man who can shoot from the perimeter, which is obviously a big threat. And that’s the way, you know, when they play really really well, they make, you know, seven or eight or above threes in those game. So we have to do a much better job defending the three-point line to give ourselves a good chance tomorrow night.”

On how recruiting is going:

Golden: “I think it’s going great. I think we’re in a really good spot. I like the guys we have coming in. And obviously, you know, we’ll see how it goes the next couple months. There’ll be some movement in terms of the portal and in terms of other freshmen still out there. And, you know, we’ll see what happens, but I’m very comfortable with where we are that way. And like I said, Thomas Haugh signed, coming in. We have another coming in that I can’t mention by name, but that we like a lot, and we think he’s gonna be really beneficial for us. So in terms of where we are right now, I’m really pleased and happy with where we’re at.”