Florida is eager to avenge home loss to South Carolina
GAINESVILLE — The Florida Gators will look to build on their first SEC win in more than two weeks while avenging the loss that set them on a threegame skid in conference play.
UF’s 73-64 win Wednesday night against LSU was their first in league since a Jan. 20 victory at Kentucky. That win at Rupp Arena also was the Gators most determined performance until Wednesday’s showing.
Coach Mike White said his Gators (16-8, 7-4 SEC) will need a similar effort at noon at South Carolina.
“Our guys have to maintain the edge they played with last night,” White said Thursday. “We were good last night, but it was one game. One game.”
The Gamecocks (13-11, 4-7) defeated UF 77-72 on Jan. 24 in Gainesville as the Gators squandered an 11-point halftime lead — an alarming pattern all season for UF.
Since then, both teams have struggled. UF lost three straight conference games until the LSU win while South Carolina enters Saturday’s game on a four-game losing streak.
Gators’ senior point guard Chris Chiozza will look to get back on track after his worst two-game stretch of the season. Chiozza was playing at an All-SEC level until managing just seven points, 10 assists and six turnovers against Alabama and LSU.
White does not expect the slump to last long.
“He’s not playing his best basketball, right now, of course and we need him to,” White said. “His teammates have asked him to lead a little bit and to be more vocal and maybe he’s carrying that burden a little bit. But I guess my mindset is he’s been so good all year and law of averages kicks in.
“Surely, he’ll be good in Columbia.”
Mullen’s tour
Looking to create excitement prior to spring practices in March, new UF coach Dan Mullen will appear at four speaking events this month, including Feb. 28 in Orlando.
Mullen’s first speaking event was Wednesday in Gainesville to wrap up National Signing Day.
He will conclude the four-city stint in Orlando at the Cheyenne Saloon and Opera House.
This appearance will follow an event Feb. 26 at the US Assure Club at Everbank Field in Jacksonville and one the next evening at the Tampa Yacht & Country Club.
For each event, doors will open at 5:30 p.m. and the program will begin at 6:30 p.m.
“It’s been great to be back home in Gainesville as my family and I have reconnected with so many great Gator fans already,” Mullen said in a statement. “I’m looking forward to seeing many more at these events.”
UF officials said invitations to attend these events will come to friends of the program, football season ticket holders, Alumni Association members and to Gator Boosters.
The school will announce the schedule of the annual Gator Gatherings around the state at a later date.