Free Throws: Instant reactions to Florida’s tough loss at Tennessee

It’s hard to beat a top-20 team on its home court when the refs are on their side.

As if things couldn’t get worse for the Gators, they did in Knoxville on Wednesday night.

Already down its best player Colin Castleton, Florida lost center Jason Jitoboh for the game toward the end of the first half and had to deal with a brutal no-call in its loss to the 18th-ranked Tennessee Volunteers.

The Gators led by as many as 13 in the opening frame in a game of runs. But Jitoboh was lost when he was smacked in the eye going for a rebound and Tennessee slowly eroded an eight-point Florida halftime lead coming out of the locker room.

“Just a tough deal,” Mike White said. “I feel for him and these guys. [Jitoboh] be re-evaluated when we get home.”

The Gators had no inside presence defensively, but still had a chance late when it appeared Phlandrous Fleming Jr. would be taking free throws down four with 1:00 remaining in the game.

But Tennessee coach Rick Barnes asked the officials to check and make sure there was not a hook-and-hold on the rebound against Anthony Duruji. After a long look, the call went against Florida and Santiago Vescovi made two free throws to ice the game.

But that wasn’t the call that will keep Mike White awake tonight.

With 1:30 to go and Florida down four, Brandon McKissic pump-faked his defender in the air. McKissic was hammered on the play but no foul was called.

The Gators are now 12-8 and 3-5 in the SEC. Tennessee is 11-0 at home this year and 14-5 overall, 5-3 in the SEC.