The Gators couldn't keep up with the Gamecocks. That won't have much impact on Florida's NCAA Tournament chances.
Florida was not expected to beat South Carolina on Thursday, in the Gamecocks' first game since their first loss of the 2015-16 season came to UConn on Monday. And the Gators didn't, falling far behind South Carolina after allowing a 16-0 run to open the second quarter and never cutting the Gamecocks' lead to fewer than eight points from that juncture onward in an 86-71 loss.
Doing the unexpected, as has been de rigueur for these Gators in this magical season, wasn't to be on Thursday night.