The Tennessee Volunteers came to Florida with a chance to all but eliminate their rivals from NCAA Tournament contention.
The Gators had other ideas.
A desperate Florida team started and ended Wednesday night’s meeting with its intensity at a season-high, and used that verve to knock off the AP Poll’s No. 2 team, 67-54.
The Gators’ first half began with a bang, as turnovers and hot shooting fueled a 17-4 start — with a 15-0 run as part of it. Eight Florida players scored in the first half, with Will Richard’s two threes and seven points leading the way.