Looking to find himself on a team filled with opportunities, Jonathan Mitchell turned to a familiar face and former Gator for advice.
BI spoke to Joakim [Noah] before the game today,C Mitchell said. BHe told me to just keep fighting and do my thing out there.C
Establishing career highs in points, minutes and blocks against Stetson in the Gators? 71-48 win Tuesday night, Mitchell had the breakout performance UF coach Billy Donovan was searching for from the sophomore.
BI know he made some shots, but to me it wasn?t all about his shots,C Donovan said. BI thought he did some things out there. He looked more confident, more together, just a totally different player.C
In 22 minutes, Mitchell had 10 points on 4-of-7 shooting. His previous high was 7.
Following a tough loss against Florida State, the Gators looked shaky in the opening minutes on Tuesday, and Donovan voiced his displeasure afterward.
The Hatters opened the game on a 10-1 run, with UF failing to make a field goal until the 14:56 mark, when Mitchell scored on a putback from an Allen air ball.
Donovan was upset with his team?s effort and emotional response to the loss.
BI don?t want us to go back to where we started,C Donovan said. BI don?t want to have it done because of our effort, our energy and our passion and our enthusiasm to play the game. If it was one thing I was disappointed in, it was that.C
Donovan said his young team has no reference point for failure, something he, not his players, was part of before the program reached the heights it appreciates today.
BIn their mind, I think they think I?m going to sprinkle stardust on them and we?ll just win,C he said. BBut it doesn?t work like that, and they have to learn what goes into this process, and I have to tell you, they have absolutely no clue or idea what it?s about.C
Although the Gators won by 23, Donovan said the team?s offensive performance was disheartening. UF shot 54 percent from the field and 43 percent from 3-point range.
BI didn?t think we played a good offensive game,C he said. BWe had 14 turnovers that could have been 28 turnovers.C
After attempting just one shot each against FSU, sophomore Dan Werner and guard Jai Lucas combined for 18 points.
Werner set the tone early, hitting three of his first five shots, but he failed to score in the second half.
After the roughest outing of his young career against the Seminoles, freshman guard Nick Calathes struggled early on. Calathes had more turnovers (four) than he did assists (three) in the first half. He finished with 7 points and seven assists.
Marreese Speights responded to a four-shot performance against FSU with 15 points and six rebounds in 24 minutes of play.
After hitting the ground hard following a rebound attempt, Allen got up limping and was taken to the locker room for treatment on his ankle.
Allen would return to the bench several minutes later, but would not reenter the game. The extent of his injury was not disclosed.
BI think we have to start all over,C Donovan said. BI have to start all over. … Today was a 23-point win and I don?t even know if they get and understand what I?m talking about.C
