Florida basketball fell to Xavier in the second round of the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) on Sunday, 72-56.
The Musketeers looked like the better team early on but missed free throws and timely three-point shooting from the Gators kept the game tied after 20 minutes. Florida shot a miserable 22.2% from the field after the break and went 1-19 from deep as they desperately tried to get back into the game. Those numbers aren’t good enough to beat most high school teams, and the final score reflects just how bad the Gators were.
Colin Castleton was fairly quiet in what will likely be the final collegiate game of his career. Florida’s big man put up just eight shots on the night, making four of them and adding two more points from the stripe to finish with 10. Even in the ugliest losses this season Castleton was able to put up decent numbers, so credit to Xavier for shutting him down with a fierce double-team any time he had the ball.
Kowacie Reeves was the team’s leading scorer with 14 points and is one of the few players in the rotation expected to return next season. Of course, the departure of Mike White and the hiring of former San Francisco coach Todd Golden will have some effect on who stays and who leaves. That includes five-star forward Malik Reneau and Florida’s other two 2022 signees.
The loss brings a disappointing season for the Gators to a close, and many are hoping the team will enter a “Golden Era” following the coaching change. While success isn’t guaranteed, it’s clear that Florida had reached its ceiling with White at the helm.
Until next season, Gator Nation!
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