-Mizzou got off to about a good a start on defense as they have in any SEC game this year. Gates has them trapping off of ball screens and Florida struggled with the pressure, coughing the ball up or going deep into the shot clock to come up with a look. Keep in mind: Florida plays at the fastest pace in the conference. That's not at all how the Gators want to play. Mizzou's bigs have to be better about protecting the rim - basically all of Florida's points came when they swung the ball to the open man, who drove inside. I'd assume Todd Golden will make an adjustment as well, so the Tigers have to be ready for that. But that's a heady play by Gates to come out with that scheme.
-Florida did start to open things up a bit once they started hitting their 3s. If you're going to continue trapping just make sure you're not leaving Walter Clayton Jr. open in particular.
-Missouri was also about as good as can be expected on the defensive glass. Florida is No. 3 in the country in offensive rebounding rate, so the Tigers holding them to three second-chance points is impressive. Doesn't mean there's not room for improvement (Noah Carter giving up that last one on the free throw line was pretty boneheaded), but there's definitely been a concerted effort to get to the boards more often.
-Offensively, everything's coming at the rim - which is very standard going against Florida (3-pointers account for just 31.4% of opponents' field goal attempts this season, a bottom-30 mark according to KenPom). The backdoor cuts are nice. Tamar Bates is absolutely carrying on that end. I've brought up that C.Y. has been working with him to finish inside better and it seems like that's really shown up this game. C.Y.'s comparison for who does it the best is Jimmy Butler - Bates has hit some Butleresque shots today. The Gators will probably key in on him in the second half, so Mizzou's going to need another guy to get going.
-I thought Jordan Butler was probably the most impactful center out of everyone Gates sent out there. He's got a longer reach than Aidan Shaw, quicker feet than Connor Vanovers and ... better everything than Mabor Majak.
-Mizzou's playing at the right tempo to take Florida out of its comfort zone. The issue is, when you get into these rock fights, it tends to stay a close game. Both teams are 13-29 from the field. It's a one-score game. Mizzou's just gotta keep battling. They could also use some luck. Red Panda's about to perform.
-Florida did start to open things up a bit once they started hitting their 3s. If you're going to continue trapping just make sure you're not leaving Walter Clayton Jr. open in particular.
-Missouri was also about as good as can be expected on the defensive glass. Florida is No. 3 in the country in offensive rebounding rate, so the Tigers holding them to three second-chance points is impressive. Doesn't mean there's not room for improvement (Noah Carter giving up that last one on the free throw line was pretty boneheaded), but there's definitely been a concerted effort to get to the boards more often.
-Offensively, everything's coming at the rim - which is very standard going against Florida (3-pointers account for just 31.4% of opponents' field goal attempts this season, a bottom-30 mark according to KenPom). The backdoor cuts are nice. Tamar Bates is absolutely carrying on that end. I've brought up that C.Y. has been working with him to finish inside better and it seems like that's really shown up this game. C.Y.'s comparison for who does it the best is Jimmy Butler - Bates has hit some Butleresque shots today. The Gators will probably key in on him in the second half, so Mizzou's going to need another guy to get going.
-I thought Jordan Butler was probably the most impactful center out of everyone Gates sent out there. He's got a longer reach than Aidan Shaw, quicker feet than Connor Vanovers and ... better everything than Mabor Majak.
-Mizzou's playing at the right tempo to take Florida out of its comfort zone. The issue is, when you get into these rock fights, it tends to stay a close game. Both teams are 13-29 from the field. It's a one-score game. Mizzou's just gotta keep battling. They could also use some luck. Red Panda's about to perform.
