South Carolina players came trickling onto the floor well over an hour before tipping off with Florida. The Gator student section wasn’t yet full — but it was living up to its reputation.
“Bloom-ing on-ion,” the Rowdy Reptiles chanted at USC guard Hassani Gravett, poking fun at the senior’s unique hair style. “Bloom-ing on-ion!”
Gravett hardly acknowledged the teasing as he picked a basketball off a rack at mid-court and began his pre-game shooting routine. Later Saturday evening, Gravett (22 points) got the last laugh as USC rallied from 14 down to upset the Gators at Exactech Arena.