No. 4 Florida sets SEC Tournament record with emphatic semifinal win
No. 4 Florida left no doubt in a dominant showing against No. 5 Alabama on Saturday.
With a 104-82 rout of the Crimson Tide, the Gators showed why their defense is just as dangerous as their offense. The win advances them to the SEC Championship Game to take on No. 8 Tennessee on Sunday.
Per the SEC Network, the 104 points scored are the most in an SEC Tournament game. It was also the most points the Gators have scored all season. Coming into Saturday, Florida averaged the seventh-most points per game (84.8 PPG).
While Florida’s offense is explosive, its defense continues to show why it may be the most complete team in the entire country. Although Alabama still put up 82 points, it entered Saturday with 90 or more points in 18 games. Florida held it to 11-of-35 from long-range, which was a success against a formidable Crimson Tide offense.
This steal from senior Walter Clayton Jr. eventually led to a conversion on the other end by sophomore Thomas Haugh and put the Gators up 43-42 late in the first half.
Clayton Jr.’s quick hands led to another steal and a layup as Florida stretched its lead to 58-48 with 17 minutes remaining.
Florida outscored Alabama 57-37 in the second half and led by as many as 24. As impressive as the defense was, the offense was clicking as well.
Florida was 37-of-72 (51.4%) from the field and 12-of-27 (44.4%) from deep. Clayton Jr.’s 22 points were a team-high with seniors Will Richard and Alijah Martin each putting up 16 points apiece.
Senior Chris Youngblood was Alabama’s leading scorer with 14 points. Seniors Mark Sears and Grant Nelson – who lead the team in scoring this season – combined for 18 points.
Considering Alabama (25-8, 13-5 SEC) entered Saturday as a two-seed in ESPN’s Joe Lunardi’s latest bracketology, any hopes the Crimson Tide had of a No. 1 seed are vanquished. With three losses in its last five games, Alabama needs to reestablish some momentum when the NCAA Tournament rolls around or a surprise early exit could be in store, especially if the defensive woes do not improve.
Before Saturday, Florida (29-4, 14-4 SEC) was already a No. 1 seed. At this point, it would be hard to imagine the Gators not being on the one-line when the field of 68 is revealed, although a showdown with Tennessee in Sunday’s SEC Championship Game could have something to say about that.
If the defensive intensity remains, Florida could be on its way to its first Final Four since 2014 as one of the country’s most complete teams.
