March Madness never fails to deliver the drama. Florida’s dominant 87-71 win over Maryland was another chapter in the thrilling NCAA Tournament. The Gators punched their ticket to the Elite Eight with a performance.
Head coach Todd Golden was full of praise for his team after the game, reflecting on the challenges they overcame, the adjustments they made at halftime, and the players who stepped up when it mattered most. From battling turnovers to winning the rebounding war, Florida’s performance was a testament to their preparation and grit.
Todd Golden Talks About A Rocky Start, Then a Second-Half Surge
Golden didn’t sugarcoat the fact that Florida had some shaky moments in the first half, particularly with ball control. The Gators committed 13 turnovers before halftime, allowing Maryland to stay competitive.
“Really proud of our group. Thought we competed really well. First half, thought we were a little casual with the basketball and put ourselves into some predicaments and kept the game tight,” Golden said.
Despite the sloppy ball-handling, Florida maintained a lead at halftime. This gave them the confidence to regroup and come out stronger in the second half.
One of the biggest challenges Florida faced was the injury to Alex Condon early in the game, which threw their rotation off balance.
“We just got out of sorts a little bit,” Golden admitted.
With Condon sidelined, the team had to lean heavily on Tommy, who played nearly the entire first half. Golden acknowledged that fatigue started to set in, but he credited his team’s composure and ability to execute down the stretch.
“We were elite in the second half,” Golden emphasized.
“We did a great job staying aggressive, handling their pressure, and our defense stayed consistent.” The Gators’ rebounding efforts also played a major role in their success, keeping Maryland from getting second-chance opportunities.
Going into halftime with a lead despite a turnover-heavy first half was both a relief. However, it was a warning sign for the Gators. Golden’s message to his team was clear: take care of the basketball.
“We had 13 turnovers in the first half, and our goal as a team is to limit ourselves to 12 for the game,” he explained. “The fact that we were still up at halftime gave us hope that if we cleaned that up, we’d be in great shape.”
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And clean it up, they did. The Gators came out in the second half playing with much more control, and it paid off immediately. One of the key moments came when Reuben Chinyelu scored three consecutive baskets, giving Florida a much-needed spark. Golden noted how these possessions helped wear Maryland down.
“We were making them chase us. Again, we were valuing the basketball, so we were making them guard for the majority of the shot clock,” he said. The Gators took advantage of their opportunities in transition and maintained their lead by playing smart, disciplined basketball.
The Impact of Florida’s Depth
One of Florida’s biggest strengths this season has been its depth, and it was on full display against Maryland. Golden emphasized how crucial it was for players off the bench to step up, particularly in the absence of Condon.
He highlighted the performance of Denzel Aberdeen, who hit a critical three-pointer at a pivotal moment in the game.
“Denzel was fantastic tonight. He did an incredible job. He was fearless,” Golden said.
Golden also gave credit to Micah Handlogten for making big plays when Florida needed them most.
“Loose ball, just dives on it, makes a winning play. Pops it up to Micah, and he tips it a couple times, puts the ball in. Those are back-breakers,” he said. Plays like these deflated Maryland’s hopes of a comeback and solidified Florida’s control of the game.
The Gators’ bench outscored Maryland’s 29-3, a stat that underscores just how crucial Florida’s depth has been. “Our bench, we outscored them 29-3 in bench scoring,” Golden pointed out.
With Florida’s victory over Maryland, they now turn their focus to the Elite Eight, where they will face another tough opponent. Golden admitted that the journey so far has been surreal, but he’s not ready for it to end just yet.
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“Selfishly and personally, I just don’t want it to end. We have a uniquely tight group,” he said.
Florida’s ability to adapt, trust in their depth, and play with relentless energy has made them a dangerous team in this tournament. They’ve already secured an SEC Championship and 33 wins this season, proving they can compete with the best.
As they prepare for their next challenge, Golden and his team know that every moment counts. “We can’t take a second of this for granted,” he said.
Florida’s March Madness journey continues, and if they can replicate their second-half dominance from this game, they’ll be a tough team to stop. With their depth, discipline, and determination, the Gators have all the pieces in place to keep this incredible run alive.
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