A mid-week bye didn’t help No. 6 Florida basketball as much as anticipated, as No. 8 Tennessee smothered the Gators in a 64-44 win at Thomspon-Boling Arena.
Entering the game, the Florida Gators (18-3. 5-3 SEC) hadn’t been held under 70 points all season. But the Vols clamped down on UF, holding the Gators to a season-low 44 points on 25 % shooting.
UF was outscored 34-14 in the paint and shot just 4 of 27 from 3-point range.
Senior point guard Walter Clayton Jr. led Florida with 10 points but was hobbled throughout the game after turning his ankle late in the first half. Clayton shot just 3 of 13 from the floor and 2 of 9 from 3-point range.
Chaz Lanier led Tennessee (18-4, 5-4 SEC) with 19 points, going 5 of 9 from 3-point range. The Vols entered the game with two starters ― point guard Zakai Zeigler and forward Igor Milicic Jr. ― sidelined due to injury.
Florida had its three-game win streak snapped and lost its eighth straight game at Thompson-Boling Arena, dating back to the 2013-14 season. The 20-point loss was the worst of the season by margin for UF this season.
Tennessee still comfortably ahead on Florida basketball
Tennessee is up 46-33 on Florida basketball as UF’s offensive struggles continue, The Gators are shooting just 24.4% from the floor and are 2 of 19 from 3-point range. Walter Clayton Jr. is back on the bench getting his ankle tended to and Alijah Martin hasn’t stepped up in his abense, as Martin in scoreless on 0 of 7 shooting from the floor.
Florida basketball still trailing
Florida basketball is down 36-26 on Tennessee with 15:55 remaining. Gators getting outscored 22-10 in the paint and shooting just 2 of 17 from 3-point range. Not a good combination.
Tennessee extends lead on Florida basketball to start second half
Tennessee starts the second half on a 6-0 run to extend its lead to 30-21, forcing Florida coach Todd Golden to call a timeout with 18:08 remaining. Jordan Gainey with nine points to lead UT.
Florida basketball G Walter Clayton Jr. back for second half
Clayton was treated after rolling his ankle in the first half and is back for UF to start the second half.
Tennesse leads Florida basketball at the half
Tennessee takes a 24-21 lead into halftime. Vols shooting 29% from the floor, while UF is shooting with 25.9%. Walter Clayton Jr. with 10 points but was helped off the court late in the first half after apparently rolling his ankle while landing on a Tennessee player. It’s unclear at this point whether he will return for the second half.
Florida basketball leading scorer helped off court
Florida basketball point guard Walter Clayton Jr. was helped off the court late in the first half with an apparent ankle injury. Clayton scored 10 points in the first half for UF.
Florida basketball offense struggling
Tennessee has taken a 14-13 lead with 7:06 left in the half as UF is on close to a five-minute scoring drought. Starting forwards Alex Condon and Rueben Chinyelu each have two fouls for UF.
Florida basketball maintains lead
Florida remains up 13-9 at second TV timeout. Walter Clayton Jr. with eight points and Sam Alexis has scored four points off the bench, UF 4 of 12 from the field, Tennessee 4 of 16
Florida basketball leads at first TV timeout
Florida leads Tennessee 6-4 at first TV timeout. Gators 1-7 from floor to start the game, Tennessee 2-10. Walter Clayton Jr. with five early points for UF.
Tennessee basketball starters
G Dunbar, G Lanier, G Gainey, G Maschack, F Okpara
Florida basketball starters
G Clayton Jr., G Martin, G Richard, F Condon, C Chinyelu
Officials for Florida basketball vs Tennessee
Joe Lindsay, Olandis Poole, Chuck Jones
Key starting guard out for Tennessee basketball
Starting guard Zakai Zeigler (knee) is out for Tennessee basketball, according to ESPN.com’s Pete Thamel. Zeigler is averaging 12.3 points and 7.4 assists this season,
Florida basketball vs Tennessee game time today
What channel is Florida basketball vs Tennessee game on today?
Florida basketball vs Tennessee prediction
Tennessee 70, Florida 66: Tennessee will avenge its 30-point loss to the Gators with a stout defensive effort. The Vols will stand toe-to-toe with UF on the boards and generate enough offense from Chaz Lanier and Zakai Zeigler to hand UF its third loss of the season.
Florida basketball vs Tennessee betting odds
Game lines and odds from Fan Duel as of Florida afternoon:
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Spread: Tennessee – 4.5
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Over/Under: 141.5 points
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This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Florida basketball-Tennessee score today: Vols hand UF worst loss of season
