Gators ratchet up the pressure to take out Cal

It isn’t about adjustments that Mike White made in the huddle at the 7:43 media time out in the first half of the Gators’ 80-59 win over the Cal Bears Monday night in the Fort Myers Tip-Off event. At that point the Gators held a slim, 19-17, lead over the Bears and this game had the makings of a white knuckles affair with both teams scoring something like a combined 100 points.

White made some suggestions, of course, but it was the chatter among teammates that really got the Gators (4-0) going.

“We came out slopping and not to our standard,” Colin Castleton said. “We didn’t play to our standard. That’s what we’re going to keep harping on and we talked about it. If we don’t play to that standard, the coaches are going to get on us. I’m going to get on everybody. We’re all going to get on each other. We’re all capable guys and we know what we’re capable of, so when we’re not playing the way we should we’re going to have to switch it up quickly, because versus other teams we can’t have a letdown.”

In the first 12:17 of the first half, the Gators forced one turnover. They forced six over the final 7:43. The 19-17 margin ballooned to 46-27 at the half. Florida pressed full court and when the Bears broke the press, they faced relentless pressure, particularly on the perimeter.

White heaped the praise on his team for stepping up the tempo and pressure.

“I think you have to credit our guys more than the adjustments,” White said. “I thought our energy level picked up. I thought we were a little bit flat defensively the first few minutes. Our first time playing away from home without our fans at ExactTech Arena screaming for us, it took a while to adjust I think to that new environment. We did jump the ball as well. We trapped more in the backcourt in the second half of the first half, the second 10 minutes and I thought it was good for us. Led by Anthony Duruji, he was really good in press tonight.”

Duruji didn’t have an overwhelming game statistically – just seven points, three rebounds, one assist and one blocked shot – but he didn’t have to. It was his presence, particularly on the front end of the press that created so much havoc for California.

In the 2-2-1 that White has been employing this season, he plays the 6-7 Duruji up front, a bit unconventional since he’s the only other big (Castleton is 6-11) in the starting lineup but there is method to this madness. With his length, leaping ability and quickness it’s a problem getting the ball past that first entry pass when Duruji comes to complete the double team for the trap.

“Anthony is as quick and fast as any of our guards so he gives you the ability to crash the offensive glass and be in position if we do score to be right there on the front line if we’re trying to funnel a ball handler or denying the ball handler,” White explained. “He’s got great size for a guy who can move like that so he creates great problems. We like him to be pressuring the ball.”

Against California, White got production from Boston College transfer C.J. Felder, who came off the bench to give Duruji a rest. He not only handled the front end of the press, but he contributed a season-high eight points to go with three rebounds and an assist.

Felder was one of the top defensive players in the Atlantic Coast Conference last year. He’s not known for his offense, but if he is able to give the Gators some point production, it will make life a lot easier for White, who is still trying to get his rotations set.

“We’d like to see him more active, using his athleticism and attacking the basket,” White said. “Being one of our more talented defenders and rebounders, we would like to see him be high level in those areas in time. He’s still adjusting to a new system and he spent a lot of time in the offseason developing his skill level, particularly shooting the three. He’s shooting it well but he can’t hang his hat on that of course. When he’s open, I don’t want him to overthink it. I want him to shoot it if it’s a good shot for our team.”

Florida shot the three well. The Gators weren’t totally enamored with the long range shots but they were timely. UF hit 8-19 (42.1 percent) and 51.9 percent overall (27-52) and that including a 14-26 second half.

Castleton had another impressive game going against a Cal front line that measured 6-9, 6-9 and 6-9 and came off the bench even taller. He scored double figures (16 points) for the fourth straight game and grabbed a game-high eight rebounds to go with three assists, a blocked shot and a steal.

White said much of Castleton’s offense was due to his own mobility and creativity with the ball. What Castleton was able to do was force the Bears to collapse to try to stop him, but when they did that, they left others open for good shots.

“The overall level of unselfishness that we talk about is very important for the offense to have,” White said. “We shared it. Colin led us and some of those plays he made with his back to the basket he made for himself. He created those shots. Outside of him, being prolific on the block tonight I did think we shared and moved pretty well. Our assist numbers are not as high as we’d like to see it but to score 80 against a Mark Fox-coached team, you must have done something good because they’re always so solid and disciplined and prepared.”

It wasn’t all about back to the basket for Castleton, however. With a little more than 18 minutes remaining in the second half, he came down with an offensive rebound, then channeled his inner Joakim Noah by breaking out of the pack on the dribble, delivering a perfect bounce pass to Duruji, who finished with a two-handed dunk that put the Gators up, 52-24

“He’s earned the right to bust out” White said. “That’s what we call it busting out, using his bust out dribble and making plays as long as he’s making the right decisions. A guy his size and length that can do that to complement the rest of the team shows you how talented he is.”

Following Castleton in the Florida scoring column was Tyree Appleby, who had 15, while Myreon Jones added 13 (3-6 on three-pointers) and Phlandrous Fleming Jr. had 11.

The Gators held California, which came into the game shooting early and often from the three-point line, to just 10 attempts beyond the arc and 20 percent shooting. Florida forced 18 California turnovers that were turned into 18 points.

The Gators, who are ranked 23rd in the Associated Press poll and 24th in the Coaches poll, will face Ohio State Wednesday night in the championship of the Fort Myers Tip-off. Ohio State advanced by upsetting 21st-ranked Seton Hall in the first game of the evening.