The Florida Gators are set to take on the Missouri Tigers in the quarterfinals of the SEC Tournament, a rematch of their thrilling 83-82 encounter earlier this season. The Gators, who earned a double bye as the 2nd seed in the tournament, will be looking to avenge their earlier loss and advance to the semifinals.
Missouri, who finished 7th in the SEC standings, has been one of the surprise stories of the season, exceeding expectations and earning national recognition with their #21 ranking in the AP Poll. The Tigers’ impressive performance in the SEC Tournament so far, including an 85-73 win over Mississippi State, has set up a highly anticipated showdown with the Gators.
In their earlier matchup, Missouri was able to slow down the Gators’ high-powered offense, taking them out of transition and forcing them into a half-court game. The Tigers’ Caleb Grill was particularly effective, scoring 22 points on 6-10 shooting from three-point range. Florida, on the other hand, struggled to create against Missouri’s savvy defense, turning the ball over 13 times.
One of the key areas of focus for the Gators will be rebounding, as Missouri was able to out-rebound them in their earlier matchup. The Tigers’ size and physicality in the frontcourt, led by Mark Mitchell, Trent Pierce, Josh Gray, and Peyton Marshall, will provide a significant challenge for the Gators.
Missouri’s backcourt, featuring Tamar Bates and Tony Perkins, will also be looking to make a bigger impact in the rematch. Bates and Perkins combined for just 14 points in the earlier matchup, but they have been playing some of their best basketball of the season in the SEC Tournament.
For the Gators, the question remains how much they will invest in the SEC Tournament, given the risk of injury and the importance of preserving their energy for the NCAA Tournament. Coach Todd Golden has expressed concerns about going all out in the tournament, citing past experiences with injuries in conference tournaments.
As the Gators and Tigers prepare to face off, the stage is set for an intense and physical matchup. With Missouri’s size and physicality in the frontcourt and their experienced backcourt, the Gators will need to be at their best to emerge victorious. Can Florida avenge their earlier loss and advance to the semifinals, or will Missouri’s Cinderella story continue?
