SIU travels to Gainesville, Florida on Friday to start a string of 4 games in the state starting with #21 Florida.
Meet the Gators:
The Gators are coached by Todd Golden in his 3rd year with the program. Golden took over at San Francisco as head coach when Kyle Smith left for Washington State. In his 3rd year with the Dons, Golden led San Francisco to their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1998 losing to Murray State in OT. Last year Golden led Florida to a 7 seed in the NCAA Tournament losing to #10 Colorado.
Coming into the season, Florida was picked 6th of 16 in the SEC. The Gators are 51st in the country in minutes continuity from last year (51.7%) and 55th in the country in D-1 experience (2.52 years). At an average of 77.8", the Gators are 88th in the country in average height. Florida doesn't use their bench much, they're 304th in the country in % of bench minutes used (25.7%).
Florida is currently #22 in KenPom and have quality wins on a neutral site against #124 South Florida by 15, a home win against #154 Jacksonville by 21, and a road win at #80 Florida State by 13.
On offense this year, the Gators are 9th in the country in adjusted offensive efficiency (118.1). Florida is 75th in the country in adjusted tempo (71.4) and 25th in the country in average possession length (15.0 seconds). The Gators are 13th in the country in 2 point % (63.5%) and 8th in the country in offensive rebounding % (41.6%). One area of struggle for Florida this year is 3 point shooting. Florida is 275th in the country in 3 point % (28.9%).
On defense, Florida is 49th in the country in adjusted defensive efficiency (97.2). The Gators are 77th in turnover % (20.8%) and 95th in steal % (11.6%). They're 55th in the country in 2 point % against (43.1%) but are middle of the pack in 3 point % against (32.7%, 181st).
The leading scorer and passer for the Gators is 6-3 Senior Walter Clayton Jr. averaging 18.4 points per game and 4 assists per game. Clayton Jr. spent 2 seasons at Iona for Rick Pitino. In his Sophomore season, Clayton Jr. led the country in free throw % (102-107, 95.3%) and was 3rd in the MAAC in scoring. In his first season at Florida last year, Clayton Jr. scored 633 points which was #5 all-time in Florida Basketball history. So far this season, Clayton Jr. is 45th in the country in 2 point % (20-25, 80.0%), 145th in the country in effective field goal % (65.8%), and 126th in the country in true shooting % (69.0%). Clayton Jr. came into the season on the preseason All-SEC First Team.
The leading rebounder and shot-blocker for Florida is 6-11 Sophomore Alex Condon averaging 7 rebounds per game and 2 blocks per game. Condon was a 3 star recruit out of the NBA Global Academy in Australia. In his Freshman season, Condon was named to the SEC All-Freshman team after averaging 7.7 points per game and 6.4 rebounds per game. This season, Condon is 103rd in the country in block % (8.2%). He's also 42nd in the country in fouls drawn per 40 minutes (8.1) and 21st in the country in free throw rate (100.0). Condon was named to the preseason All-SEC Third Team coming into the season.
2nd on Florida in scoring is 6-4 Senior Will Richard averaging 15 points per game. Richard spent his Freshman season at Belmont where he averaged 12.1 points per game and started 30 games. This season, Richard is 121st in the country in 2 point % (22-30, 73.3%) and 141st in the country in steal % (4.5%).
6-2 Senior Alijah Martin can also fill up the stat sheet averaging 13.6 points per game and 6.2 rebounds per game. Martin spent 4 years at Florida Atlantic and played on the Final Four team where he was named to the All-NCAA Tournament team averaging 15.2 points per game including 26 in the Final Four loss against San Diego State.
Links:
SIU Game Notes
Florida Game Notes
