Florida seeking answers, losses Final Four rematch to UConn

Connecticut overcame a 13-point second-half deficit to beat Florida for the third time in 13 months Saturday and created genuine concerns in Gainsville about the Gators’ chances of making a deep run in March once again.

Timely 3-pointers from Omar Calhoun and Rodney Purvis and poise at the foul line made all the difference for the defending national champion Huskies, who beat Florida in the Final Four last spring ending the Gators’ 30-game win streak and also won on a buzzer-beater in December 2013 at UConn. This time they came from behind to win 63-59.

While UConn made 17 of 20 free throw attempts, the Gators’ self-destruction started with its inability to make free throws. Coach Billy Donovan’s team made just eight of 20 attempts at the foul line.

There was bound to be a drop off this season in the Florida program after losing the leadership and defensive intensity of players like Scottie Wilbekin, Casey Prather, Patric Young and Will Yeguete. During last season’s run to the Final Four, Florida went 15-2 in games decided by 10 points or less. This season the Gators are 2-5 in such contests, including Saturday’s loss to the Huskies.

The Gators definitely don’t appear to have the depth or poise to contend with Kentucky for an SEC title, but this is still one of the more talented teams in the top-heavy league and it’s a team that can still get to the NCAA tournament and advance if it can develop some consistency.

Donovan has to be concerned about his team’s psyche after losing consecutive games to conclude nonconference play. The Gators lost to Florida State earlier in the week on a freak play in which forward Jacob Kurtz accidently knocked an air ball from Florida State into the basket to give the Seminoles the victory. Now, the Gators have to get over giving up a big lead in the second half and that misery at the free throw line.

UConn (7-5, 0-1) entered the game with its own issues and badly in need of a win on which it can build. The Huskies earned it with the same fight it showed in its unexpected run to the title last spring. Coach Kevin Ollie’s team bounced back from an overtime loss to Temple on New Year’s Eve.