In front of nearly 10,000 people the men’s basketball team gave an admirable effort against the second ranked Florida Gators at the O’Connell Center in Gainesville Tuesday night, losing 102- 78.
The Rattlers (0-4) were led by their backcourt, senior sharpshooter Terrence Woods had 31 points and Demarcus Wilkins chimed in with 24, while the Gators (3-0) were led by Anthony Roberson’s 20 points.
The Rattlers, who shot only 31 percent from the field, held their own against a physical Gators team, trailing by a meager 12 points at halftime and cutting their deficit down to nine at one point in the second half.
“I think [the game] was a positive, our guys competed all night long. The score may not indicate that. I was really pleased with the way our kids played,” Head Coach Mike Gillespie said.
“Their backcourt and perimeter people completely destroyed our people,” said Gator head coach Billy Donovan to the Tallahassee Democrat
Nonetheless, the play of their dynamic guards is not what did the Rattlers in, it was the lack of a post presence; Michael Harper, Richard Russell, Michael Ayodele and Brian Zamore were a combined 2-13 from the floor with a total of six points.
“For us to be successful, we need more post play. It’s difficult to be successful when (our) post players are 2-13.” Gillespie said.
As anemic as the Rattler frontcourt was, the bench was not much better, adding only 14 points compared to the Gators 36.
“I am extremely pleased, we played the number two team on their own floor. I’m very encouraged by our performance.” Gillespie said.
The Rattlers play the University of Georgia Friday night in Athens, Ga.