The Florida Gators have done virtually nothing the easy way in this season of tumult.
Why start in the 2021 NCAA Tournament — especially when their usual embrace of adversity and chaos produced one of the best games of the year, and a dramatic win?
Behind the steady dominance of Colin Castleton and a couple of huge shots by Tre Mann, steel-spined Florida prevailed over an equally determined and unshakable Virginia Tech team in overtime, 75-70, in the tournament’s first round on Friday.
Playing in the day’s first game, the Gators got off to a slow start, eventually trailing the Hokies 21-11 midway through the first half after five straight threes from Hunter Cattoor and Naheim Alleyne.