Gators looking to bounce back at home against Vanderbilt

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The Florida Gators host the Vanderbilt Commodores on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. looking to avoid a third consecutive loss.

The Gators hold a narrow 73-71 all-time series lead over the Commodores and have won nine straight in the series.

However, Vanderbilt is coming into the O’Connell Center off two straight wins including a buzzer beater 3-pointer to take down No. 6 Tennessee. Sitting at 5-6 in SEC play and knocking on the door of the upper half of the conference, this is a big opportunity for Jerry Stackhouse’s team.

Florida currently stands as the eighth team out of the NCAA Tournament following its blowout loss on the road at Alabama. A win on Saturday is critical for UF to stay in the hunt and get momentum heading into the final stretch of the regular season.

“It’s every game at this point,” Florida head coach Todd Golden said Friday. “Vandy’s playing, they have two good wins in a row and probably gained a little confidence in that stretch. They’re a little healthier now. We know what we’re up against in terms of having a good team. It’s a very good offensive team analytically coming in. A team that’s been a little bit below average defensively, but I think they’re figuring that out, as well. 

“The schedule quote unquote lightens up in the next four, but all these teams are good; they’re very good team. Obviously, Vandy has shown the capacity to beat anyone on any night. We’re definitely not taking anybody lightly. Our guys will be revved up, ready to go. That’s why you’re in the SEC, every single one of these games is difficult and going to be a battle.”

Vanderbilt’s players to watch

The focus of Saturday’s matchup will be Colin Castleton taking on Liam Robbins. Like Castleton, Robbins leads the Commodores in points per game (13.4), rebounds per game (6.4) and blocks per game (3). 

“He’s a good rim-protector,” Castleton said of Robbins. “I watched some film; he moves his feet pretty well for a big guy, so I see a lot of myself. When he’s blocking shots he uses his length and verticality, but it’s just like any other matchup.”

“There’s a lot of good bigs in the SEC this year, so, you know, just got to attack them and that’s the only way you go at a shot blocker. Guys score on me; they just got at me against my body, so it’s the same thing when they’re going versus a shot-blocker.”

Guards Tyrin Lawrence and Jordan Wright are both averaging double digits in the scoring column. Meanwhile, Ezra Manjon does a little bit of everything for the ‘Dores averaging 8.5 points and a team-high in assists (3.3) and steals (1).

How Florida gets it done

At home, the Gators are clearly more comfortable shooting the basketball. That will have to be the difference in the game.

The Florida defense ranks 11th in defensive efficiency and should be able to make the game easier for the offense. The UF frontcourt will have to pull its weight in this game shooting the basketball, or the veterans of Vanderbilt will be able to stay in the game and perhaps pull the upset.

The Gators can’t afford to let Robbins dominate the glass on the offensive end as second-chance points have been a thorn in the UF side lately. This starts with Alex Fudge, Will Richard and Riley Kugel alongside Castleton being active near the rim for 40 minutes.

With the NCAA Tournament on the horizon, the run starts now for Golden’s team.

Stay tuned to Gators Online.

WHO: Vanderbilt Commodores (12-12, 5-6 SEC) at Florida Gators (13-11, 6-5 SEC)

WHEN: Saturday, February 11, 3:30 p.m. ET

WHERE: Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center (10,151)

WATCH: SEC Network or ESPN App; Play-by-Play: Paul Sunderland; Analyst: Richard Hendrix

RADIO: Gator Sports Network from LEARFIELD SiriusXM 85/191 or SXM App 962; Play-by-Play: Sean Kelley; Analyst: Lee Humphrey

BETTING LINES: Florida (-9); Over/Under: 137