TAMPA— After a year filled with clutch shots in big moments, there
was little surprise when the Gators turned to Erving Walker with
their season on the line.
Behind the junior guard’s game-high 21 points, including 10 over
the final four minutes, No. 2 seed Florida (28-7) advanced to the
Sweet 16 with a 73-65 win over seventh-seeded UCLA (23-11) on
Saturday in Tampa.
“He lives for moments when the games are tight,” junior guard Kenny
Boynton said. “He has a big heart and he’s not scared to take the
big shot.”
In the game’s closing moments, Walker converted on three
opportunities to stretch UF’s lead, keeping the Gators ahead as the
Bruins mounted a late charge.
With Florida ahead by five and less than 40 seconds to play, it was
Walker who twice beat the press, drew a foul and hit both free
throws.
“He’s not afraid to fail,” senior center Vernon Macklin said. “He
wants the ball in his hands at the end of the clock.”
Walker turned in is his timely performance following an injury to
Kenny Boynton, which occurred when the sophomore landed on Joshua
Smith’s foot and twisted his left ankle.
Boynton checked out with about 4:30 left in the game, just before
Walker’s run began.
Walker was one of many Gators who had to compensate for a teammate
on the bench, as Vernon Macklin, Patric Young and Erik Murphy were
all limited by foul trouble.
“Everybody is ready to come and step up,” Young said. “On any given
night somebody could have a great game. No matter who it is, the
guys right behind us on the bench are ready to step in and always
ready to go.”
Seven different Gators scored at least seven points in the contest,
with a total of 15 coming from UF’s bench.
One player in particular who raised his game was Alex Tyus, who
snatched a season-best 13 rebounds and also added eight
points.
With his frontcourt teammates in foul trouble, Tyus stepped up and
played a season-high 33 minutes, providing the rebounding prowess
he predicted he would need to.
“I’ve never met a guy who watches basketball and knows basketball
like Alex Tyus,” Macklin said. “He actually said before the game,
‘This is one of those games I have to rebound. I have to rebound
and go to the glass relentlessly.’ And that’s what he did.”
Saturday’s game featured 11 ties and 10 lead changes.
The contest was hotly contested from start to finish, as neither
team led by more than five for the first 34 minutes, something the
Gators have grown accustomed to in a season full of close calls.
“I’m kind of used to that feeling with, ‘Oh no, we might lose,’”
Young said. “I’m getting used to that feeling because I know we’re
going to come through in the end.”
And come through Florida did, advancing to a Sweet 16 matchup
Thursday against BYU, who beat Gonzaga 89-67 Saturday night.
“It definitely feels good,” senior forward Chandler Parsons said.
“We’ve worked so hard all year long, and for us to accomplish what
we’ve accomplished this year really feels good to get to this
point.”
INJURY UPDATE: Boynton’s injury has been diagnosed
as a mild left ankle sprain, according to the sophomore guard.
He briefly returned to action after exiting with about 4:30 left,
but the pain limited him and coach Billy Donovan decided to keep
him on the bench.
Boynton said he expects a week of therapy will be enough to have
him ready to go by Thursday.
