Micah Handlogten aims to build on double-double at Mizzou

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida starting center Micah Handlogten posted his second double-double of the season in Saturday’s 79-67 win at Missouri. He led the team with 13 rebounds, one shy of his season high, and was one of five Gators in double figures with 10 points.

Here’s everything Handlogten said about his performance at Mizzou and the Gators’ next matchup vs. Mississippi State on Wednesday at 8:30 p.m.

Micah Handlogten Q&A

On the win over Missouri:

Handlogten: “I think overall as a team it was the best game we played this season. I think a lot of what we did during practice, scout team, really helped prepare us for it. We knew we had to come out and be more physical because like I said we got punked during the Tennessee game and so I think just having that mindset in our heads that we’re not letting that happen again, Just really going out there and I guess dominating them.” 

On the physicality he showed:

Handlogten: “Huge. I mean, I knew that obviously my matchup was Vanover going into the game he was four inches taller than me but a little bit lighter than me, so I knew I could get through move him around. So, it was like two things in the second half where Tyrese drove, and I could just move him out of the way and get him an easy layup. So just stuff like that, little aspects of just like knowing your matchups and like how you play against them to succeed,” 

On facing MSU’s Tolu Smith:

Handlogten: “Really just you’ve got to be physical. He’s probably the most physical player in the league, you’ve seen like plenty of film on him, knowing he’s trying to do like literally any chance to get, he’s trying to post you up. He’s quick, he’s strong, athletic, you’ve just got to be prepared, can’t come up soft, you’ve got to go bring the fight to him and not let him take the first hit.” 

On getting that kind of challenge:

Handlogten: “Huge I think that it’s just an opportunity to show my growth as a player. I think like Tennessee, we got punked, me especially. Like I played only what, 13 minutes that game if that, just because I came out weak. I came out, he hit me with the first hit and then I kind of backed off. I think it gives me the opportunity to show my growth as a player and so I’m looking forward to it.” 

On how much being home helps:

Handlogten: “Like incredible amounts. I always have been a player that plays off of like all the momentum and the energy in the building. So, just having everyone like the Rowdies there, going crazy, definitely helps me.” 

On UF getting 20 foul shots in second half:

Handlogten: “Huge. We knew that if we would go at them, we noticed they were swinging their arms down and they were reaching a lot more. I knew they were going to try to come back with everything they had, so we were going to try to keep building, just go at them and trust the process.” 

On his 13-rebound performance at Mizzou: 

Handlogten: “I mean, that’s just something that I do. I’ve done it. I did it multiple times with Marshall, had multiple 13-plus rebounding games. And so I’m just glad that I was able to make it translate and succeed at this level.” 

On how much he can improve his shot blocking: 

Handlogten: “Oh, a ton. Last year I was averaging like 2.3 blocks a game. Now, I’m only averaging like .9. So something I definitely gotta get back in the groove of. Something I need to work on like. I’ve been practicing like my jump timing and all that stuff, but also not over helping at the same time and being a smart like defensive player. So it’s a balance, but something I need to work on for sure.” 

On scouting opponents for blocking opportunities:  

Handlogten: “Yeah, I watch a lot of film on it. A lot of times you either have players that jump off one foot and try to go into you or off two and try to go around you. And so, a lot of it is knowing your personnel and taking that and using that to your advantage, which I guess I don’t think I’ve done enough of this year. So it’s definitely something I’m gonna look into just like to get that stat back up and help the team more.” 

On asking for high passes to use his height advantage: 

Handlogten: “Pretty much every time. I think that’s something that all of our bigs have been saying, not only to each other but to the guards as well. Because later in the second half, Walt threw me a lob and it was a perfect pass and I was able to just lay it in. And so, I think that just like the communication aspect of it, if we can just continue to work on that and build our chemistry as a team, I think they’re gonna be great.” 

On Riley Kugel’s dad going viral: 

Handlogten: “I had so many people ask me if, like, I knew who he was and I was like, ‘Yup.’ And then they were like, ‘Who is it?’ I said Riley’s dad and they were like, ‘Dude, what did he eat?’ He’s huge.” 

On if he would want to guard him in the post: 

Handlogten: “No. No.”  

On his thought when he first saw him: 

Handlogten: “I mean, he’s a scary looking dude. His arms are bigger than my entire torso. So it’s like, wow.”