Florida’s 2021-22 men’s basketball season started with six straight wins and significant optimism, both balms for a program that had suffered, struggled, and strived against tough circumstances for almost all of its 2020-21 campaign.
Now, as January ends, these Gators are going through a season almost as tough — and Saturday’s game against Oklahoma State (4 p.m., ESPN2 or streaming) is sure to be seen as a point of inflection.
Already down one scholarship player at the season’s outset, thanks to the continued lack of medical clearance for Keyontae Johnson — whose collapse shadowed the Gators last year, and whose presence as “Coach Key” can only do so much for a team that would obviously be expected to be far better with his talents on display on the court — the Florida frontcourt has been decimated in recent weeks, with a shoulder injury to Colin Castleton sidelining him for the Gators’ last four games, illness keeping C.