Florida coach Todd Golden’s Gators are 10-0 and winning by an average of more than 20 points but still have room to grow.
Just not by much, if you ask veteran guard Alijah Martin.
Martin seeks perfection, and chemistry is the key.
“We’re a good nine out of 10,” the FAU transfer shooting guard said. “I’m waiting for the extra plus-one to see how we deal with adversity. If we can get through adversity and still keep the team chemistry high, then we we’ll be 10 out of 10.”
Adversity could await Tuesday night when the No. 7 Gators face North Carolina in Charlotte during the Jumpman Invitational.
The Tar Heels (6-4) opened the season ranked No. 9 but lost ground against a demanding schedule featuring consecutive losses to Auburn, Michigan State and Alabama, the latter a 94-79 decision in Chapel Hill.
North Carolina’s early struggles have diminished the most high-profile non-conference game on UF’s schedule. Yet the matchup still gives the Gators a chance to strut their stuff for national TV audience and build on the program’s fastest start since the 2005-06 squad opened 17-0 en route to the first of two consecutive national championships.
Those legendary Gators — led by Joakim Noah, Al Horford, Corey Brewer and current assistant coach Taurean Green — remain the gold standard in Gainesville.
With SEC play looming, beginning with a Jan. 4 trip to Kentucky, Golden’s third team is just getting started but also has served notice with its balance, unselfishness and sheer dominance.
An 83-66 cakewalk against one-loss Arizona State on Saturday featured a 12-0 run with four consecutive 3-pointers, beginning with one by Martin and ending with one by Walter Clayton Jr. that sandwiched a pair by Will Richard.
“You never know whose night it’s gonna be,” Martin said. “That’s the way I like to play … just laid-back, not really having too much pressure on having to go out there and get 25 and get a win. You can do 10 points and get a win.
“It’s way much better.”
Martin, a key member of FAU’s 2023 Final Four team, has capitalized on the approach; he finished with 15 points on 6-of-10 shooting, 11 rebounds and 6 assists. Clayton, with a team-high 25 points, continued to set the tone for an attack averaging 86.2.
The Lake Wales native leads UF with an average of 19.1 points. Clayton’s five 3-pointers against ASU — on 12 attempts — marked his third straight game with 5 3s, a feat last accomplished by Anthony Roberson in 2005.
Following Clayton’s 27-point performance against Virginia, Golden praised his point guard’s “irrational confidence” regardless of the circumstances.
“For him it’s not irrational,” Golden continued. “He has a great level of confidence but he’s also a great competitor.”
Clayton and his teammates’ mettle is sure to be tested, perhaps as early as Tuesday night. After all, UNC averages 86.6 points and remains one of college basketball’s blue bloods.
Ranked No. 5 in the NCAA NET ranking, UF is among three unbeaten teams in the top 40, along with No. 2 Tennessee (10-0) and No. 20 Utah State (9-0).
The Gators will continue to strive for perfection and realizing much work remains.
“Nothing that we do between now and March is going to satisfy us,” Golden said. “That’s kind of the mentality that we want to have.”
Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com
Up next …
Florida vs. North Carolina
When: 7 p.m. Tuesday, Spectrum Center, Charlotte, N.C.
TV: ESPN
