Florida vs. Arizona State score, takeaways: No. 9 Gators stay dominant continuing best start in 19 years

Basketball

2

Image Credit: UAA

When the only means of comparison is a team that won the first national championship in program history, it’s clear Florida Gators basketball is not a program with which to be reckoned. Fresh off its highest ranking in a regular-season AP Top 25 poll since 2018, newly minted No. 9 Florida cruised to a 83-66 win over the Arizona State Sun Devils on Saturday afternoon at the 2024 Holiday Hoopsgiving in Atlanta.

The Gators are off to a 10-0 start for the first time since 2005-06, but this team is accomplishing a feat that title-winning squad one did not: Florida this season has won all 10 of its games by double figures. UF’s 10-game win streak is its longest of any kind since the 2013-14 team that advanced to the Final Four.

How long this run will continue remains to be seen — particularly given the competition steps up markedly in 72 hours — but the Gators have rolled through their nonconference slate to this point unlike almost any team in the nation.

Let’s take a look at what went down in the ATL.

It was over when … fastbreak dunks by redshirt senior guard Alijah Matin and junior forward Sam Alexis added exclamation points to a 14-2 run that put Florida ahead by 24 points. The Gators pushed that lead to 28 points with an extended 20-5 scoring stretch — including a rim-rocking jam by senior guard Will Richard with 8:31 remaining — and ultimately led by as many as 29. A 7-0 run earlier in the period snuffed out a brief Arizona State effort to tighten the game, but UF refused to be subdued.

First half focus: Rebounding from a slow start, the Gators drained four straight 3-pointers as part of a 16-2 run to jump ahead 22-10. Florida ultimately led by as many as 14 points inside of 4 minutes before the break, but turnovers and poor shot selection down the stretch (unable to score final 2:39) allowed Arizona State to cut its deficit to 41-32 entering the locker rooms. Richard and senior G Walter Clayton Jr. posted 12 points each doing most of the heavy lifting in the period.

Exceptional efforts: Clayton was again the straw that stirred the drink for the Gators with a game-high 25 points on 5 of 13 shooting from long range with 3 rebounds and 3 assists. Richard found his stroke after a couple lackluster games scoring 16 points with 6 rebounds as a chaser. Martin perhaps offered the most complete performance, though, posting a double-double with 15 points, 11 boards and 6 dimes. He hit 3 of 6 from downtown with UF hitting 10 of 30 overall as a team.

Odds & ends: Florida improved to 3-0 all-time against Arizona State after their first meeting in 17 years … UF has started a season 10-0 for the third time in program history … the Gators were dominant in the paint with edges of 47-27 rebounding and 38-28 scoring … Florida led for 37:25 and only trailed for 0:35 early in the first half … the Gators led every scoring category with margins of 28-11 on fastbreaks, 14-9 on second chances and 16-12 from bench players … UF had 17 assists on 32 baskets … Florida improved to 40-9 under Golden when leading at halftime, 47-5 when leading with 5 minutes left, 45-6 when shooting the same or better than an opponent from the field, 34-6 when shooting 45% or better from the field, 39-8 when outshooting an opponent from 3-point range and 34-7 when winning the rebounding battle

What it means: Florida’s dominance continued unabated. The SEC is going to be a gauntlet this season with UF set to play three of the top five teams in this week’s rankings — a total of five times — along with four of the top 10 teams and seven of the top 25. In other words, the biggest tests remain ahead of the Gators. Still, the way this team has been competing, there’s quickly becoming no reason to put a ceiling on what it can accomplish. Florida can often score at will — both inside and outside. When shots aren’t falling, it’s ferociousness on defense provides plenty of room to find its stroke again.

The Gators have a Cerberus in the backcourt with Clayton, Richard and Martin plus a variety of big men who can clean up around the rim and meet any test thrown at them. This is the toughest-to-beat UF team in at least a decade — possibly two.

What’s next? The Gators will be operating on short rest as they turn around to play their toughest opponent of the season. Florida will next face North Carolina, ranked No. 29 by KenPom.com, on Tuesday in a not-so-neutral site game at the 2024 Jumpman Invitational in Charlotte.

And the ladies? UF (6-4) extended its winning streak to three games with victories of 77-64 at Clemson and 82-63 at home against Marshall. Freshman sensation Liv McGill posted 21 points while draining 5 of 8 tripes against the Tigers, while senior center Ra Shaya Kyle remained consistent and dominant with a pair of 16-point double doubles, combining for 21 boards in those contests. McGill posted 8 points and 9 boards against the Thundering Herd.