Gator Basketball: February Recap

The Florida Gators are in jeopardy of missing the NCAA Tournament for the second consecutive year after a dreadful 3-5 stint in the month of February. Not once this month did the Gators string together successive wins, but they did find a way to drop two straight games at the O-Dome (Alabama on the 13th and Vandy on the 24th) and finish February on a three-game losing streak. 

Besides Kentucky and Vandy, every loss this month has been by single digits. Likewise, all three of Florida's wins were by five points or less. The Gators have not been the same since their upset of #9 West Virginia at the end of January, and I have no explanation for the team's inconsistent play this month.

Despite a winning percentage of .375, let's see how the Gators fared in other statistical categories for the month of February:

Offense

Points: Dorian Finney-Smith (431) (Redshirt Senior)


Assists: Chris Chiozza (126) (Sophomore)


Shooting % (100 attempts min.): John Egbugnu (.565) (Redshirt Sophomore)


Three-Pointers (100 attempts min.): Dorian Finney-Smith (59)


Three-Point % (100 attempts min.): Dorian Finney-Smith (.393)


Free Throws: Dorian Finney-Smith (98)


Free Throw % (10 attempts min.): KeVaughn Allen (.830) (Freshman)


Rebounds: John Egbugnu (77) (Redshirt Sophomore)

Defense

Rebounds: Dorian Finney-Smith (171)


Blocks: John Egbugnu (44)


Steals: Kasey Hill (38) (Junior)

Miscellaneous

Personal Fouls: John Egbugnu (95)


Minutes: Dorian Finney-Smith (919)


Turnovers: Dorian Finney-Smith (60)


Final Takeaway:
With two games (Kentucky at home on March 1st and Missouri on the road on March 5th) remaining in the regular season, the Gators' tournament chances look very bleak. I am not expecting a win vs Kentucky on senior night, but Missouri should be a very winnable game.

If Florida finishes the season 18-13 (9-9) and fares well in the SEC Tournament, then they may have a shot at making it to the Big Dance. If they drop both games, I think that an NIT invite will be looming for the Gators unless they somehow pull off a miracle and win the SEC Tournament.

That's why they play the games though. We will see what happens in college basketball's craziest month.

*All stats accredited to FloridaGators.com