What the Spartans will have to do is exactly the same thing that thrust them onto the national spotlight Friday night — frustrate a smaller, four-guard lineup with their length and ability to score.
Missouri and Florida run similar offenses with similar personnel, and the possibility of a third-round matchup between the two teams was talked about before the tournament got under way.
Instead, the Gators will be facing exactly the type of team that gave them problems all season.
Norfolk State’s starting lineup features five players that are 6-5 or taller. In comparison, Florida point guard Erving Walker is listed at 5-8, and only 6-11 forward Erik Murphy and 6-9 center Patric Young can counter the Spartans’ height advantage..
Although UF now plays a No. 15 seed instead of a No. 2 seed, the advantage might actually be with Norfolk State.
Following the Gators’ win Friday, UF players and Donovan were inundated with question after question about Missouri. To their credit, they didn’t assume the same foregone conclusion as those asking the questions.
“I’m sure our coaches are on that right now, scouting both teams,” Young said. “They’re probably going to watch the game, see who wins, and we’ll prepare the best we can for them, whoever we play. And we’ll see.”
He was right.
And Donovan was probably stewing a bit, considering his Gators have struggled against similar lengthy teams that play aggressive man-to-man defense.
Florida lost twice to a severely less-talented Tennessee team this season, dropping games both at home and away by a combined 16 points.
The Vols can also start four players taller than 6-5, which frustrated the Gators and prevented them from getting open looks
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