For Florida, Wednesday’s game against Mississippi State was proof that it can shoot itself to victory. The Gators win over Vanderbilt on Saturday was proof that they don’t have to.
Making nine of 36 threes and just six of 13 free throws, Florida nevertheless led nearly wire-to-wire and controlled the second half in a 61-42 win over Vanderbilt predicated on its swarming defense — one that thrived even without Colin Castleton.
The Gators allowed the Commodores to shoot just 29 percent from the field and an even worse 17 percent on threes, and conceded just 14 points after halftime.