No. 7 Florida basketball gets early test handling complacency facing Arizona State in Atlanta

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Florida basketball enters is matchup Saturday against Arizona State at the Holiday Hoopsgiving in Atlanta, Ga. (3:30 p.m., SEC Network) ranked in the top 10 of both major polls for the first time since the start of the 2019-20 season.

Fighting complacency will be a key for the No. 7 Florida Gators (9-0) when they take the floor at State Farm Arena.

“It’s so hard to do when everybody is praising you, telling you all these good things and whatever, and you just, you get to a comfortable place in your mind,” Florida starting guard Alijah Martin said. “You’ve just got to fight the urge just to stay perfect.”

With nine straight wins to start the season, Florida is off to its best start since starting the 2005-06 season 17-0, the year UF won its first national title in basketball in school history.

“Obviously a great honor and kind of part of the process we’re trying to complete as far as being one of the top programs in the country,” Florida basketball coach Todd Golden. “Obviously, off to a good start and starting to get some recognition for that nationally.”

Arizona State (8-1), under 10th-year coach Bobby Hurley, could present one of the most significant obstacles to UF finishing non-conference play unbeaten. The Sun Devils have won six straight since an 88-80 loss to No. 9 Gonzaga on Nov. 10. Freshman 6-foot-9 forward Jayden Quaintance had added toughness to ASU’s frontline, averaging 7.8 points, 8.0 rebounds and 3.6 blocks.

“They really probably six or seven deep, but all those guys are really tough.” Golden said. “It’s going to be a good challenge for us. I think the best team we’ve played to this point. We’ve got to play well to beat them.”

Here are three storylines to watch in the Florida-Arizona State game:

How will Florida basketball handle a 10-day break between games?

Florida last played Dec. 4 against Virginia, overcoming an early nine-point deficit to pull away from the Cavaliers 87-69. The time off has allowed Florida players some time to heal nagging…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/no-7-florida-basketball-gets-222137066.html

Author : The Gainesville Sun

Publish date : 2024-12-13 22:21:00

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