Gators Play Basketball, Too

Amidst all the hoopla and fanfare surrounding Florida's 41-14 ROUT-SKEWERING-EVISCERATION-SMASHING-OBLITERATION of Ohio State for the NCAA Div. I-A Football National Championship, it's a little easy to forget basketball for just a moment.

But don't shift your gaze too long. They're national champions, too. That's defending national champions. And they routed Ohio State's top ranked basketball team a couple of weeks ago, too. They share a lot in common with the football Gators.

And on Tuesday, they had a little business to take care of. Arkansas came rolling in, high on a demolition of Alabama just days earlier, hoping to down the #2 team in the nation.

It wasn't to be. Florida pulled out a 79-72 victory. But it wasn't easy. Let me tell you, Arkansas was good. In my view they played better team ball and were more physical than Ohio State, had a better transition game than Kansas, but didn't have quite the shot-making capability they needed this day to win. I'd say Arkansas is one of the three best teams Florida has played this season.

Arky's lousy shots from behind the arc seemed to really do them in. Missing 13 of 15 was probably due in part to Florida's stout perimeter defense, but the Hogs also failed to convert some good looks at the basket. One or two of those balls fall through the hoop, and you might have been talking about a different ball game.

The other observation from watching the game in person is that they were banging down there. It was one of the most physical games I've seen Florida play yet this year. Arkansas played excellent defense inside, hounding Noah and Horford and drawing enough fouls on the big men early to send them both to the bench for much of the first half. Despite that, both bigs ended up with 11 points.

Bad free throw shooting night for Florida. 17-29, or 58.6%. Nasty.

Taurean Green led the Gators with more brilliant play from the point. He finished with 17 points.

Even as a national championship caliber point guard, Green is still underrated. In my view he is one of the top two or three PGs in all of college basketball. He is a skillful ball handler and a great manager of the game.

Florida improves to 15-2 and is currently ranked #2 behind UNC.