Correlation does not equal causation. At least the Gators hope not.
Florida has lost its only two games against major-conference opponents so far this season.
It is a troubling early-season trend, but does it mean the Gators are doomed come conference play?
Five games into the season, Florida’s (3-2) victories have come against Bethune-Cookman, North Florida and Kennesaw State.
The Gators beat all three teams handily, winning by an average margin of 20 points.
However, those opponents have a combined four victories against the likes of Edward Waters and St. Thomas.
Florida dropped its games against the Atlantic Coast Conference’s Virginia Tech and Florida State by an average of 10 points.
Southeastern Conference leader No. 19 South Carolina currently sits at 6-0, including a 70-point victory against Big South member Charleston Southern to open the season.
The SEC currently boasts six ranked teams, with perennial powers Tennessee and Kentucky currently in the top 10.
The unranked Gators have shown the ability to be a strong team in brief instances so far this season.
Redshirt senior Lily Svete sunk her first four three-pointers against North Florida. But against Florida State, she was 1 of 4 from the field.
Freshman Ronni Williams has displayed the talent that made her Florida’s highest-rated recruit ever.
That is, when she’s not in foul trouble.
Jaterra Bonds, the returning offensive leader, has been putting up solid numbers so far this season, averaging 17.2 points per game. But she has not been consistent, scoring 10 points in one game and then posting a career-high 25 points in her next outing.
“We’ve just had too many people that we rely on who weren’t their reliable selves tonight,” coach Amanda Butler said after the loss against FSU. “Whether you’re looking at the stat sheet or whether you’re just looking at a mental foundation maybe that they laid down for us. It was just way too much up and down, up and down, up and down and you just can’t beat a good team like that no matter where you’re playing.”
If the Gators remain consistent, they will likely improve on their results from last season. So far, Florida’s been outscoring its opponents by an average score of 78-70.
The Gators have had the edge on their opponents this season in nearly every major statistical category — except rebounding.
On Tuesday, St. John’s comes to Gainesville averaging 43.5 rebounds per game. With Florida averaging 35.2 per game, the Gators will have their work cut out for them against an undefeated Red Storm.
Follow Gordon Streisand on Twitter @GordonStreisand.
UF coach Amanda Butler speaks with the media during the Florida women’s basketball team’s annual media day at the University Women’s Club on Oct. 9.
