If Clayton can't go, can the Gators win with Aberdeen at the point?

Denzel Aberdeen will get the start if Walter Clayton Jr. can't go against Vandy (Photo by Chris Spears)

Think of tonight’s O-Dome matchup of No. 6 Florida (18-3, 5-3 SEC) and Vanderbilt (16-5, 4-4 SEC) as a hold your breath kind of game. The fact that it’s an SEC game and Vanderbilt has wins over Kentucky and Tennessee alone makes it a matter of maximum importance for the Gators, who will be trying to rebound from a beatdown at the hands of Tennessee in their last outing. There is also that teensy matter of Walter Clayton Jr.

Late in the first half against Tennessee, Clayton sprained an ankle, which limited his effectiveness in the second half. Late in the second half, Clayton’s ankle gave way again. He’s had a couple of days to recover but even Florida coach Todd Golden is unsure if his leading scorer and point guard will be able to answer the bell against the visiting Commodores.

“He definitely tweaked his ankle pretty good there in the first half,” Golden said Monday. “Second half, slipped in front of our bench. I don’t think there was anything added on because of that. Just kind of a fluky deal. Obviously, he’s been knocking out his rehab and is recovering. He’s moving around pretty well, but we’ll take it hour by hour right now and see how it goes this afternoon in practice. I think tomorrow when he wakes up will be a big determinant in if he goes tomorrow night or not.”

Clayton averages 17.4 points, 3.3 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game. When he heats it up, he can take over a game and lead the Gators on one of those spurts that can create separation. Since arriving at Florida after transferring from Iona, Clayton has never missed a game so if he’s unable to answer the bell, all eyes will be on Denzel Aberdeen.

Aberdeen has played well as the man off the bench in Florida’s 4-man rotation on the perimeter. He’s averaging 7.1 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.6 assists, all career highs. In Florida’s 30-point win over Tennessee back on January 7, Aberdeen was brilliant, scoring 16 points. Aberdeen was instrumental in Florida’s comeback win over South Carolina, scoring nine while providing lock down defense in Florida’s 1-point margin.

That’s off the bench, but can he get the job done as a starter? Golden has full confidence, not just in Aberdeen but in Urban Klavzar, who hasn’t played much but has shown flashes of brilliance as a passer when he’s on the floor. If Clayton can’t go, freshman Isaiah Brown could also see some minutes in the perimeter rotation. Kajus Kublickas is a pure point guard who has also seen limited action.

“I'm very confident that they'll be able to step up if we need them,” Golden said. “You know, they're great players, they're very good players, and obviously our rotation has been tight. We've been healthy, and things have been going pretty well, so there hasn't been a need necessarily to stretch that out. But if, you know, we need extended minutes from Urby, Zai or even Kajus, you know, I think those guys will be able to lift up a little bit if we need them to.”

Whether Clayton can go or if the Gators have to go deeper on the bench than normal, this is a critical game. Coming off a 20-point loss, the Gators need a big bounce back, particularly with a road trip to No. 1 Auburn next on the agenda. Vanderbilt has proven it can play with the big boys as evidenced by wins over Tennessee and Kentucky, but like the Gators, the Commodores are coming off a blowout loss. Last Saturday in Norman, Oklahoma scorched Vanderbilt 97-67.

Road wins in the Southeastern Conference come at a premium, so it’s a necessity to win at home. The Gators are 10-1 in the O-Dome this year, their only loss by one to Missouri. After their loss to Kentucky in early January and the loss to Missouri a couple of weeks ago, the Gators showed resilience by bouncing back with big wins.

Can they do it again, particularly after getting their doors blown off up in Knoxville?

“We got knocked on our butt Saturday and have to make sure it doesn’t happen Tuesday night,” Golden said.

Anticipated starting lineups

No. 6 FLORIDA (18-3, 5-3 SEC): Alex Condon (6-11, 230, SO); Rueben Chinyelu (6-10, 255, SO); Will Richard (6-4, 206, SR); Alijah Martin (6-2, 195, GR); Walter Clayton Jr. (6-2, 195, SR)

Vanderbilt (16-5, 4-4 SEC): Devin McGlockton (6-7, 230, JR); Tyler Nickel (6-7, 230, JR); Chris Manon (6-5, 215, SR); Jason Edwards (6-1, 175, JR); AJ Hoggard (5-4, 220, SR)

SEC BASKETBALL

Today’s games

Vanderbilt (16-5, 4-4 SEC) at No. 6 FLORIDA (18-3, 5-3 SEC)

Oklahoma (16-5, 3-5 SEC) at No. 1 Auburn (20-1, 8-0 SEC)

No. 14 Kentucky (15-6, 4-4 SEC) at No. 25 Ole Miss (16-6, 5-4 SEC)

Wednesday’s games

No. 15 Missouri (17-4, 6-2 SEC) at No. 4 Tennessee (18-4, 5-4 SEC)

Arkansas (13-8, 2-6 SEC) at Texas (15-7, 4-5 SEC)

LSU (12-9, 1-7 SEC) at Georgia (15-7, 3-6 SEC)

Saturday’s games

No. 5 FLORIDA (18-3, 5-3 SEC) at No. 1 Auburn (20-1, 8-0 SEC)

No. 4 Alabama (19-3, 8-1 SEC) at Arkansas (13-8, 2-6 SEC)

No. 8 Tennessee (18-4, 5-4 SEC) at Oklahoma (16-5, 3-5 SEC)

South Carolina (10-12, 0-9 SEC) at No. 12 Kentucky (15-6, 4-4 SEC)

No. 13 Texas A&M (17-5, 6-3 SEC) at No. 20 Missouri (17-4, 6-2 SEC)

No. 14 Mississippi State (16-6, 4-5 SEC) at Georgia (15-7, 3-6 SEC)

No. 23 Ole Miss (16-6, 5-4 SEC) at LSU (12-9, 1-7 SEC)

Texas (15-7, 4-5 SEC) at No. 24 Vanderbilt (16-5, 4-4 SEC)

Coaches top 25: 1. Auburn 20-1; 2. Duke 19-2; 3. Alabama 19-3; 4. Tennessee 18-4; 5. Houston 17-4; 6. FLORIDA 18-4; 7. Purdue 17-5; 8. Iowa State 17-4; 9. Michigan State 18-3; 10. St. John’s 19-3; 11. Marquette 18-4; 12. Texas Tech 17-4; 13. Texas A&M 17-5; 14. Kentucky 15-6; 15. Memphis 18-4; 16. Missouri 17-4; 17. Kansas 15-6; 18. UConn 16-6; 19. Wisconsin 17-5; 20. Arizona 15-6; 21. Clemson 18-4; 22. Michigan 16-5; 23. Saint Mary’s 20-3; 24. Maryland 17-5; 25. Illinois 15-7

Associated Press top 25: 1. Auburn 20-1; 2. Duke 19-2; 3. Alabama 19-3; 4. Tennessee 18-4; 5. Houston 17-4; 6. FLORIDA 18-4; 7. Purdue 17-5; 8. Iowa State 17-4; 9. Michigan State 18-3; 10. Texas A&M 17-5; 11. Marquette 18-4; 12. St. John’s 19-3; 13. Texas Tech 17-4; 14. Kentucky 15-6; 15. Missouri 17-4; 16. Kansas 15-6; 17. Memphis 18-4; 18. Maryland 17-5; 19. UConn 16-6; 20. Arizona 15-6; 21. Wisconsin 17-4; 22. Mississippi State 16-6; 23. Illinois 15-7; 24. Michigan 16-5; 25. Ole Miss 16-6