‘We played at an insanely high level’: Todd Golden reacts to UF's win over Alabama

NASHVILLE — No. 4 Florida advanced to the SEC Tournament final on Saturday with an 104-82 win over No. 5 Alabama.

The Gators have won four straight meetings against the Tide and averaged 102.5 points per game in those four wins.

Here’s everything UF coach Todd Golden said after the victory over Alabama.

RELATED: Takeaways from the Florida Gators’ 104-82 win over Alabama

Opening statement

TODD GOLDEN: “It’s a great win for our program. I thought our guys did an incredible job just competing for 40 minutes. Carlin Hartman had the scout tonight again. He’s had ‘Bama scout. I thought on a short turnaround did an incredible job preparing our guys today for the challenge. Incredible first half both ways. I thought both teams played really well. Some efficient basketball. Neither team could really get away from each other. It was really neck-and-neck the whole half. I simply think our depth wore out in the second half, proved out in the second half. We were able to get into their bench a little bit. Our bench stepped up, allowed us to get some rest for our starters. We kept coming in waves in the second half. Thought we did an incredible job wearing them down. That’s one of the best teams in America we played today. The fact we were able to perform the way we did, I’m just really proud of our program, our players and our staff right now.”

On Florida peaking at the right time: 

TODD GOLDEN: “Obviously we’ve been playing pretty well all year. We ran into some injury issues in the middle of conference play. I think we were able to play well through them. We were just a little out of sorts. We kind of got everybody back and healthy. I think Georgia game is an example of that. I think we’ve played five or six games since then. In every game since then, we played an insanely high level. I think Condo getting back healthy, getting his legs back under him. Micah getting comfortable out there. Urby being able to be a rotational player for us allows us to get good depth and rest for our starting backcourt. A game like today, we played at a very, very high level. We didn’t have one guy play over 30 minutes. I think it really speaks to first of all the depth of our team, second just the unselfishness of our group. That is why we are who we are. We have good individual players. What makes this team special and gives us a chance to play deep into March and hopefully early April is our unselfishness, our willingness to make the extra pass. When it’s opportunistic for other guys to take the shots, to move the ball to them. We just have a very mature, unselfish group that way.”

On playing Tennessee tomorrow for the possibility to secure a 1-seed:

TODD GOLDEN: “I think we are. I think we secured a 1 seed today. That’s my opinion. We’re second on KenPom right now. Beat ‘Bama twice, beat Auburn at Auburn. I don’t really think it’s a debate regardless of the result tomorrow. With that being said, another opportunity for us to get a really good win. Another big challenge. A team that I would argue is one of the most physical and just tough-minded winning programs in America. Tennessee, obviously Rick Barnes is an amazing Hall of Fame coach. They got the best of us last time we played. Our guys will be excited. We’ll be ready to go. More than anything, it’s just a great opportunity for us to get a championship.”

On Florida’s game plan for Alabama’s backcourt: 

TODD GOLDEN: “First half I thought we were just okay that way. They scored 45. In the second half I just think we wore them down. Mark is an incredible player. Labaron is a great freshman. Those guys are great off the balance, great in ball screens. We felt like if they had to try to make every play, and we did a good job sticking the shooters, make them try to finish over size at the rim. That would give us a good chance. Second half that’s what I thought separated us, was the ability to guard in the ball screen and probability the rim. We had a couple really good blocks that turned into run-outs. Did a good job of finishing possessions after one shot, clean rebounds got us out in transition. I just thought our ability to throw different looks. We went switch five a little bit. It was just okay. Making them see different defenses and different bodies I think wore them down a little bit.”

On what worked well for Florida starting the second half with a run: 

TODD GOLDEN: “I just thought, again, war of a transition that way. We started wearing them down. We were able to get in transition, get a little confidence, a little momentum. It just seemed like we were able to keep our foot on the gas that way for the 12 minutes to start of half. 20-point lead with seven minutes to go. Again, collective. Different guys made plays. I thought our bigs put pressure on the offensive glass. Our guards did a great job getting in the paint, making the right play, making big shots. Playing high-level basketball.”

On if Florida deserves a higher No. 1 seed than the last one:

TODD GOLDEN: “Absolutely. Absolutely. Regardless of the result tomorrow, I would say yes. We have four losses. 29-4 right now. We’ve won I think 11 out of our last 12 or 10 out of our last 11, something along those lines. I think we have the best collection of high-level wins in college basketball across the board. There’s other good teams and candidates. When you look at the full body of work… Our conference schedule is different. We had to play some really good teams on the road, and we didn’t get them at home. We were still able to get second. With all those things together, I would say we’re definitely a 1-seed and have the chance to be the second or third 1-seed right now.”

On Urban Klavzar appearing more comfortable, the strides he’s made: 

TODD GOLDEN: “I think you hit it on the head. Simply getting comfortable. Coming over, unfortunately he missed the first couple games due to eligibility issues. Once he got eligible, we were playing very well. Denzel was playing great. It was early in the year. Just not sure how deep we wanted to go in our rotation yet. When he was getting his short-minute reps, just wasn’t a role that he had ever had to play before. It took him a little bit to get comfortable. Towards the end of non-conference, once we got into conference play, really I point to Vanderbilt at home and at Auburn when it was like, all right, this guy has arrived. He’s got comfortable, played incredible at Auburn, hit three big threes, guarded the ball really well. He’s been playing at that level since. Much better athlete than people would think. He’s explosive off the bounce. Obviously an elite shooter. A much better defender than I thought he would be coming
over.”

On the lessons Florida learned from last season’s loss in the SEC Tournament Final: 

TODD GOLDEN: “Yeah, I think from experience. We have a lot of guys back that were part of that loss. We had won three games in three days last year, lost to a very good Auburn team in the championship game. Obviously we’re a more mature group. AMart, Rueb, huge getting Micah back. Our team collectively I think is more ready for this type of situation and more ready to play in a championship game. With that being said, I think it’s going to be incredibly difficult. Tennessee is playing well. This is a huge win they got today against Auburn. Just from the experience of last year, this group is more ready for the opportunity to play for a championship tomorrow.”

On dictating tempo Sunday against Tennessee: 

TODD GOLDEN: “It’s going to be interesting because both games were anomalies, for lack of a better term. We played fantastic and won by 30 against them at home. We go there, they beat us way worse than anybody else has been able to all year. Losing Walt before halftime there definitely hurt us. We were down at three at halftime. We played poorly in the second half. They dictated with their physicality and defense. I think tomorrow will be a battle of wills a little bit. We’re going to get out in transition, open up the game a little bit. We know Tennessee likes to operate in the halfcourt, be physical defensively. Whoever is able to dictate the terms and the tempo I think has the best chance to win tomorrow.”

On Walter Clayton Jr.: 

TODD GOLDEN: “Yeah, I mean, as you said, we know he’s first team All-American, first one in Florida history, which is crazy. Just playing at an insanely high level. For me, I just hope people just understand how gifted and talented he is and how much of a winner he is. I see all these mock drafts. Some places he’s like late second round. I see all these guys that are mocked to be first. Winning has to matter. Leading has to matter. Being efficient has to matter. Being able to play the point guard position on the top two team in America has got to matter. This guy deserves more recognition and credit than he’s getting nationally. I wouldn’t trade him for anybody in America. I think that says something for how good he is. Some NBA team will figure it out. We’ll add him to their roster and he’s going to be a guy that plays 10 years in the NBA. We’re going to be talking about him in four years, how wasn’t this guy not more highly touted coming out of college. I understand he is a senior. Winning. Winning is pretty important, too. The guy has been the starting point guard on a 29-win team, playing an incredible floor game, 22.6 assists, no turnovers, three steals. Again, playing like the best point guard in America right now.”