The memory of a broken leg, a mid-foot sprain, strep throat that caused him to lose 13 pounds — seven of which he’s gained back — have all combined to give guard Eli Carter an adventurous season.
Now he’s back as close to 100-percent health as he’s been all season and gave Florida much needed scoring balance in the 72-47 victory over Mississippi state, scoring a game-high 20 points, his second double-figure scoring game of the season.
“It’s definitely a weight off my shoulders, it feels good being out there being able to help my brothers,“ Carter said. "… I continue to get in rehab every single day, I’m just trying to stay healthy for the rest of the year, it’s been great so far.”
Saturday night was the first time Carter had played three games straight with a meaningful amount of minutes all season — he only played one minute against Florida State before leaving injured.
With sharpshooter Michael Frazier battling an upper respiratory infection, Carter picked up the slack from three-point range by going 4-6 from behind the arc, the good shooting performance, according to coach Billy Donovan led to a better all-around performance from Carter.
“Eli Carter’s shot chart over his career looks like an EKG exam,” Donovan said, “and I mean that from the standpoint that I think Eli’s one of those guys too that when his shot is not falling there have been other parts of his game that have fallen.”
Donovan praised Carter for staying engaged in Florida’s SEC opener for staying engaged when shots weren’t falling, saying it’s easier to stay engaged when you’re shooting well. It’s part of Donovan’s unique test with many members of this team, a unit he says did not enter the season with the right frame of mind, and one he’s repeatedly says doesn’t know how to win. Donocan will continue to push Carter because he knows at his best, he can give Florida flexibility it sorely lacks on the offensive side of the ball that has nothing to do with whether the ball goes in the basket or not.
“When he’s out there, he’s almost like having another point guard out there mentally because he’s got really good vision he’s got a good feel he knows how to play but what he’s got to do is if he does not shoot the ball well,” Donovan said. “That’s part of the game, we’ve got to get those other things from him, and in the past he’s not done that.”
Follow Richard Johnson on Twitter @RagjUF
Eli Carter attempts a three-point shot during Florida's 72-47 win against Mississippi State on Saturday in the O'Connell Center.
