Walter Clayton, Zyon Pullin, Thomas Haugh talk Gators win vs. FSU

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The Florida Gators notched their third straight victory over FSU and second under coach Todd Golden with Friday’s 89-68 win. Four different UF players scored in double figures, led by junior point guard Walter Clayton Jr.

Clayton scored a season-high 19 points on 8-for-15 shooting and 3-for-8 from 3-point range, adding five assists for the fourth straight game. Grad transfer point guard Zyon Pullin made his UF debut, coming off the bench for 15 points and four assists.

Freshman forward Thomas Haugh posted his first career double-figure rebounding game, pulling down a team-leading 10 boards. The Gators posted a +15 rebounding margin, their third straight game with at least a 15-rebound edge.

Here is everything Clayton, Pullin and Haugh said after Florida’s win over the Seminoles.

Zyon Pullin

On his season debut:

“Today was definitely a good game to come back to. A lot of fun, you know, a lot of energy from the crowd. We just fed off of it and it was just a whole bunch of fun out there.”

On Thomas Haugh’s energy:

“I think we all feed off of it. Just the hustle plays, the extra possessions is something we all feed off of. He makes a lot of big plays like that. We see it in practice all the time. So, it’s nothing new for us.”

On the key to the fast start:

“I think just being locked in. First on the defensive side of things, getting stops. And then that kind of let us get out there and play. So I think it definitely started defensively and then we were able to have a little fun out there.”

On how much better UF can play than the first half:

“That was pretty good. I think that was a pretty good first half. But just keep finding ways to keep getting better.”

On how difficult it is for teams to press them:

“I think it’s tough. I mean, both of us can push the pace. And then you got other guys, like Kugel, for example. We got a bunch of guys that can push the pace, even our bigs. So I think it just makes it tough to defend.”

On the game’s ending with FSU:

“I think that’s just basketball, you know, two teams competing. It comes with the nature of the game.”

On whether it felt like a rivalry game:

“Oh, for sure. For sure. And the crowd, you know. Feeding off the crowd, you can just feel it.”

On how long it took to develop chemistry with Clayton: 

“We can get a lot better. In practice, you can see it click, just kind of feeding off each other. I think we compliment each other well.” 

On his expectations coming from the Big West: 

“I think it was about just playing at the highest level. Coming to the SEC, you’re going to be playing against NBA guys and I thought it was just another stepping stone. That’s kind of what I’d say about it. I think the goal here is to just win. That’s why I came here. I thought we had a very good chance to make a deep run. I think we have all the players to do that, so that was the biggest thing. To win at the highest level.” 

On whether it was hand-to-hand combat vs FSU:

“Something like that.”

Walter Clayton Jr.

On how much better UF can play than the first half:

“I think we’ve got a ways to go to get a lot better.”

On what ways UF can be better:

“Defensive side of the ball, for sure. We definitely have a lot of mistakes where it’s a miscommunication here and there. We just give up a lot of free baskets sometimes. So I really think on the defensive end, we can clean some things up.”

On the chemistry between him and ZP:

“It was great. Playing out there with a PG, you know what I’m saying. I could kind of be off the ball. I had a couple good passes to him, he had great passes. I just felt like it was great chemistry.” 

On how difficult it is for teams to press them:

“Whoever catches it, just take off.”

On whether he has fouled out before: 

“I don’t know if I fouled out before, but I can see fouling out tonight. Second half got a little gritty. Refs had to keep the whistle tight, so I understand.”

On what it mean to be a part of this rivalry and win:

“It means a lot. To put it simple, I have a big hatred for Florida State, just to be honest with you all. I have too many people in my family who are Florida State fans and I gotta hear their mouth — but they’re going to be very quiet tonight.”

On if he will be texting them:

“For sure. Everybody will be getting phone calls tonight. Facetime. I want them to see my face and when I let ‘em know how the game went.”

On Will Richard’s layup: 

“That was crazy. We were looking at it right after the game. Got MJ, back a little bit.”

On what was clicking in the first half: 

“I think me and him, ZP, were just on the same page mentally. ZP did some stuff I already knew he was going to do and did some stuff he already knew. I just think that’s us clicking, being on the same page and thinking the same.”

On how long it took to develop chemistry with ZP:

“It’s still developing.”

Thomas Haugh

On playing with 4 fouls:

“Right when I got in there and I saw I got my 4th, I just looked up at Coach Golden and he was like, ‘Just relax.’ And I just played my game. I know we have other bigs on the bench and stuff and people to come in to take our spot and it’ll be all good.”

On his rebounding effort: 

“I’m just going to go out there and do whatever Coach Golden tells me what to do. Get a rebound, set screens, it doesn’t matter. It doesn’t matter about points or any of that stuff. Whatever I can do to help contribute to the team winning. It’s been a great start so far.”

On his first career 3:

“Felt good. It felt good.”