Florida snapped a seven-game losing streak against Florida State on Sunday with a 71-55 victory over the 20th-ranked Seminoles.
Defense set the tone early for the Gators. The ‘Noles couldn’t get much going in the first few minutes of the game, which forced them to play catchup for much of the half. Once they did get the lead, Florida took it right back after the half and ran away with it.
Colin Castleton, Florida’s star center, recorded his first double-double of the year, and forward Anthony Duruji emerged as the hustle player Florida desperately needed to energize the team.
Beating Florida State in any sport means a lot to Gator Nation, but ending a drought that dates back to 2013 should be even more of a confidence boost for Mike White’s team. Florida didn’t get any votes in the preseason AP Top 25 and was projected to finish somewhere in the middle of the Southeastern Conference. A ranked win could change all of that very early in the season for Florida.