3 thoughts after the Florida Gators’ gritty win over the Aggies

The Florida Gators’ 95-90 win over Texas A&M on Saturday now has them one victory away from claiming the program’s first SEC Tournament title in 10 years. Here are three takeaways from the game:

*Sophomore guard Denzel Aberdeen (20 points Saturday) did make plays in preseason practice, but it’s one thing to make plays then — and another to do it in the SEC Tourney semifinals. For him to step up like this, I don’t think Florida wins that game without the way he played. I think they ran out of steam and were a little fatigued. They needed someone to contribute off the bench and he probably gave them more than what they needed honestly. I think he made four 3-pointers and that’s what stands out in his performance. But what also was impressive were his four steals. He was very active on the defensive end and showed some prowess on that side.

*When junior guard Will Richard (19 points Saturday) is on and he’s making 3-point shots, this team is so hard to defend from the perimeter because teams also have to account for Walter Clayton and Zyon Pullin. And if you also have Aberdeen stepping up and hitting 3’s as well, what are you gonna do? Florida had a season high Saturday with 14 3-pointers and four of those came from Will Richard. When he’s hitting them like that then that takes this team to another level offensively. I think he’s been flying under the radar for most of the season, but now is the time for him to show up in March. And if he’s on this could be dangerous team.

*If there was any concern with Saturday result it’s that the Florida Gators lost the battle inside. And it wasn’t just with rebounding. They got out-rebounded, they gave up more second-chance points and they got outscored in the paint. Now, how much of that was that (center) Micah Handlogten was in foul trouble and only played 12 minutes? He’s one of the best rebounders in the country. But that is something that gives you a little cause for concern. Yet, they’ve shown they can shrug off a bad rebounding performance and dominate on the glass in the next game. The Georgia game in the SEC Tourney was a perfect example. Florida lost the rebounding battle in the first half of that game, then dominated on the glass in the second half.

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