Florida basketball scouting report, prediction vs. Arizona State in Atlanta

On By Littum

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Florida basketball participant is matchup Saturday against Arizona State at Holiday Hoopsgiving in Atlanta, Ga. (3:30 p.m., SEC Network) ranked in the top 10 of both major polls for the first time since the start of the 2019-20 season.

Fighting complacency will be key for the No. 7 Florida Gators (9-0) when they take the floor at State Farm Arena.

“It’s so hard to do when everybody’s praising you and telling you all these good things and whatever, and you just get to a comfortable place in your mind,” Florida starting guard Alijah Martin said. “You just have to fight the urge just to stay perfect.”

With nine straight wins to start the season, Florida is off to its best start since a 17-0 start to the 2005-06 season, the year UF won its first national basketball title in school history.

“Obviously a great honor and part of the process that we’re trying to complete as far as being one of the best programs in the country,” Florida basketball coach Todd Golden. “Obviously we’re off to a good start and starting to get some recognition for it nationally.”

Arizona State (8-1), under 10th-year coach Bobby Hurley, could pose one of the main obstacles to UF finishing non-conference play undefeated. The Sun Devils have won six straight since an 88-80 loss to No. 9 Gonzaga on Nov. 10. Freshman 6-foot-9 forward Jayden Quaintance had added toughness to ASU’s front line, averaging 7.8 points, 8.0 rebounds and 3.6 blocks.

“They’re probably six or seven deep, but all those guys are really tough.” Golden said. “It will be a good challenge for us. I think the best team we have played to this point. We have to play well to beat them.”

Here are three storylines to watch in the Florida-Arizona State game:

How will Florida basketball handle a 10-day break between games?

Florida last played Dec. 4 against Virginia and overcame an early nine-point deficit to pull away from the Cavaliers 87-69. The time off has given Florida players some time to heal nagging injuries and study for exams during finals week.

“The first nine games felt like they came one after the other,” Golden said. “Obviously, knock on wood, we’re in good health, but I felt like we were starting to get a little tired. At the end of the semester, with finals, you’re first real piece of the game, you can get a little drained. We did a good job of letting the guys take some time off last weekend and making sure all their books and finals lined up.”

Florida practiced hard Monday and Tuesday and Thursday and held a lighter practice Friday to prepare for Saturday’s game. Martin said he is itching to get back on the field after the 10-day layoff facing another team.

“Realistically, we might come out a little slow, a little out of rhythm because we haven’t played in a while,” Martin said. “But we practice and we work on what we have to work on. on in practice, but 10 days is a long time without jumping into it.”

How well can Florida basketball defend the 3-point line against a sharp-shooting ASU team?

Arizona State is shooting 39.5% from 3-point range on the season while averaging 9.7 3-pointers per game. match. Top perimeter threats for ASU include freshman guard Joson Sanson (25-46, 54.3%), senior guard Adam Miller (16-35, 45.7%) and senior guard Alston Mason (13-31, 41.9%) .

“All three of those guys have been high-level shot makers,” Golden said. “Amier Ali comes off the bench and he’s a good shot maker on the 4. So yeah, I’ll be really upset if they make a lot of 3s.”

Can Florida basketball continue its balanced approach on offense?

Four of Florida’s five starters have averaged double figures in scoring, led by senior point guard Walter Clayton Jr.’s 18.4 points per game. Martin is UF’s second-leading scorer at 15.2 points per game, which included a 32-point scoring outburst against Southern Illinois.

“You never know who it’s going to be tonight, and that’s the way I like to play,” Martin said. “You know, just relaxed, not really having too much pressure to go out and get 25 and win”

Forecast

Florida 78, Arizona State 71: Florida will look to maintain its perfect start to the season, but it won’t be easy. Expect Florida to get a little sluggish early before turning up the intensity on both ends of the floor in the second half. It sets up another big game for UF’s backcourt, as the Sun Devils have been up-and-down guarding the perimeter this season.

Kevin Brockway is The Gainesville Sun’s Florida beat writer. Contact him at [email protected]. Follow him on X @KevinBrockwayG1