Kyle Lofton talks team progress, finding his shot, another top-5 test

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Kyle Lofton has raised his game recently as the level of competition has increased for the Florida Gators.

UF’s starting point guard has found his shot over the past two weeks, scoring in double figures in three of the last four games.

Lofton met with the media Tuesday to discuss his recent play, Florida’s progress as a team and Wednesday’s matchup at No. 3 Alabama.

On what’s been the change for him recently and if he’s getting more comfortable with teammates:

Kyle Lofton: “It’s not getting more comfortable with teammates. I’m making more shots and I’m just being more confident and I’m taking more shots.”

On whether his health been an issue at all:

Lofton: “Like early on, yeah, because I was in and out, in and out (with a groin injury). So, it’s kind of messing with my rhythm and I wasn’t able to get in the gym. But as of lately, no. I’m definitely healthy now.”

On if took him longer to find his footing due to the injury:

Lofton: “I wouldn’t blame it on that.”

On the rotation shrinking and guys playing more minutes:

Lofton: “I think late in the season is when coaches start shoring up the rotation and then, you know, I think that’s better for teams. A lot of guys aren’t getting pulled in and out. It’s hard to play when you’re out there and you get pulled out. You’re looking over like, ‘Am I going to get subbed out?’ So, I think everybody kind of knows who’s going to be in and got rhythm and just, you know, we’ve got confidence.”

On the team needing more bench points to beat Alabama:

Lofton: “We definitely need (more). It’s always good to have more bench points, you know. I think it will come. Just taking better shots, and I think if you take better shots, you’ll make some. And then seeing some go in gives you confidence on the defensive end. As a team, we all play together.”

On playing together with Myreon Jones and how that has helped with ball security:

Lofton: “I think that’s definitely key, you know. He doesn’t really turn it over that much and I don’t either. He’s just a smart player. He doesn’t force anything. He takes what they give him and then he knows how to play the game. I think having me and him in there, it just settles things down. I don’t always have to be the one. I can run, be the two sometimes, play the trail spot. It’s definitely been easier for me, and I like playing with Myreon.”

On Colin Castleton elevating his game recently:

Lofton: “I feel like he’s letting the game come to him, you know? We’re all playing together now, like I said. Since Myreon got in the game, I think the ball has been moving better and he’s been finding better opportunities down low. He gets doubled a lot, but I feel like lately he hasn’t been so he’s been taking advantage of that.”

On his confidence improving with shots now falling:

Lofton: “It’s definitely a confidence booster. Seeing the ball go in has definitely helped me out. Staying consistent, you know, doing what I’ve been doing all the time. It just happened to fall. I didn’t quit on what I was doing. I didn’t give up. I just kept going the course.”

On how helpful it is to get a guy like CJ Felder back:

Lofton: “It’s definitely helpful. He was just in the locker room right now. Seeing him with a smile on his face, I think it lifts up all of us. He’s definitely a guy that we would need. I’m not sure what his deal will be (Wednesday), but hopefully he gets back rolling.”

On if Tuesday was Felder’s first day back at practice:

Lofton: “First day of the team, but I’ve definitely seen here lifting and playing one-on-one with certain guys. But that’s really it.”

On the opportunity for the Gators against Alabama:

Lofton: “Another big opportunity. Right now, toward the end of the season we’re looking at getting into the NCAA Tournament. Playing another No. 2 team, going there obviously will be harder than if we had them in the O’Dome. But it’s definitely as opportunity that we want being basketball players. You come to college to play and go on the road against the No. 2 team, top-5 team.”

On his scouting report of the Crimson Tide:

Lofton: “We know they have a fast-paced, they probably have one of the fastest tempos in college basketball. We need to get better in transition defense. That will be a point of emphasis, stopping them in transition and forcing them to play in the half court.”

On the Gators controlling their own destiny:

Lofton: “Controlling your destiny, you always want to be there, there’s nothing else. We’re depending on no one else but ourselves, coming in each day and worrying about yourself. Being in the gym, staying consistent, staying together is definitely key going down the stretch in February.”

On handling another big, physical team with a smaller lineup:

Lofton: “Being out there, being together … smaller, we have to be that much tougher, more connected. We’re play four guards for the most part, so everybody has to help each other out down there.”

On environments you’ve experienced preparing the team for this challenge:

Lofton: “It’s definitely dope. Me, coming from the A-10 I was telling my parents, road games are actually way much harder. The crowds really in it, it’s a bigger arena. When you’re down 4, I feel like you’re down 10 or something. We’ve done it. We’ve had a hard schedule up to this point. So we’re battle-tested for sure and we’re ready for anything.”

On what the Tennessee win does for belief that they can beat Alabama:

Lofton: “It just gives you the confidence, going in each and every game we can beat whoever any given night. We have the guys, we have to the coaches to do it. Just believing in ourselves and just going out there playing free and having fun.”

On his confidence that Kowacie Reeves will get out of his slump:

Lofton: “We’re definitely confident in him. We think he’ll have a great game. He was with me in the gym yesterday making shots, seeing him make shots. I think he’s still level-headed. He still has confidence in himself. He’s going to keep shooting, hopefully they are going to fall.”

On how to avoid another slow start and whether UF is feeling out opponents early:

Lofton: “That’s definitely fair, especially for me. I think that’s a negative for our team. They’ve emphasized the past three road games just going there, hitting first. We sometimes just try to feel out a game. That’s not good to do. I think we should play every game just in attack mode first and I think that will be better for our ball club.”

On if he’ll dye his hair the same color as Kowacie as a show of solidarity?

Lofton: “Nah. He be good. I’m not doing that.”