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 injuries and study for exams during finals week.
“Those first nine games felt like they came one after another,” Golden said. “Obviously, knock on wood, we’re in good health, but I felt we were starting to fatigue a little bit. The end of the semester, with finals, you’re first real stretch of games, you can get a little drained. We did a good job letting the guys take some time off last weekend, making sure that all their books and finals aligned.”
Florida practiced hard on Monday and Tuesday and Thursday and held a lighter practice on Friday to prepare for Saturday’s game. Martin said he’s itching to get back on the court after the 10-day layoff facing another team.
“Realistically, we may come out a little slow, a little out of rhythm, because we haven’t played in a while,” Martin said. “But, we’re practicing, and we’re working on what we need to work on in practice, but 10 days is a long time without hoopin’.”
How well can Florida basketball defend the 3-point line against a sharp-shooting ASU team?
Arizona State is shooting 39.5% from 3-point range on the season while averaging 9.7 3-pointers made per game. Top perimeter threats for ASU include freshman guard Joson Sanson (25-46, 54.3%), senior guard Adam Miller (16-35, 45.7%) and senior guard Alston Mason (13-31, 41.9%).
“All three of those guys have been high level shot makers,” Golden said. “Amier Ali comes off the bench and he’s a good shot maker at the 4. So yes, I’ll be really upset if they make a lot of 3s.”
Can Florida basketball continue its balanced approach on offense?
Four of Florida’s five starters are averaging double figures in scoring, led by 18.4 points per game from senior point guard Walter Clayton Jr. Martin is UF’s second-leading scorer at 15.2 points per game, which included a 32-point scoring outburst against Southern Illinois.
“You never know who’s night it’s gonna be, and that’s the way I like to play,” Martin said. “You know, just laid back, not really having too much pressure on having to go out there and get 25 and get a win”
Prediction
Florida 78, Arizona State 71: Florida will maintain its perfect start to the season, but it won’t be easy. Expect Florida to come out a bit sluggish early before turning up the intensity on both ends of the floor in the second half. It sets up for another big game for UF’s backcourt players, as the Sun Devils have been up-and-down guarding the perimeter this season.
Kevin Brockway is The Gainesville Sun’s Florida beat writer. Contact him at kbrockway@gannett.com. Follow him on X @KevinBrockwayG1
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Florida basketball scouting report, prediction facing Arizona State in Atlanta
