SEC Basketball: Each team’s worst performance of the last decade

Florida

March 26, 2017 (South Carolina 77, Florida 70) (GS: 86)

If you look at the Game Score for this game, you might be befuddled at how this was Florida’s worst performance of the last decade. The fact of the matter is that Florida hasn’t really had a lot of bad home losses or iffy Tournament performances. Sure, it hasn’t been perfect since their second title in 2007, but their most recent mid-major home loss was to an eventual Final Four team in Loyola.

The focus then turns towards 2017, where the 4-seeded Gators had already mashed Virginia and taken down Wisconsin before finding themselves in the Elite Eight. The only thing standing between them and a trip to the Final Four was a familiar face in South Carolina, a team they had already split two games against in SEC play. Having won eight of the last ten games against the Gamecocks, the Gators were favorites, but Frank Martin’s team would not be stopped.

Florida led by 7 at the half, but Sindarius Thornwell (26 points) and South Carolina never backed down. The game was close for the entire second half, though South Carolina was able to secure the game with some great late possessions, and they made enough free throws to get the job done. Florida was also doomed by cold 3-point shooting (7-26).

Again, this performance wasn’t awful, it was just Florida unable to take advantage of a good situation. Any 4-seed would be ecstatic to see a 7-seed on the other sideline with a trip to the Final Four up for grabs. Losing to an SEC rival certainly hurt and the Gators are still hunting for a Final Four trip under Mike White.