Earning trips to the foul line has been anything but charity recently for the Gators.
Florida has attempted 262 free throws in 14 Southeastern Conference games this season, an average of 18.7 attempts per contest and the fifth-highest rate in the conference.
But during the past four games, the Gators have attempted just 36 free throws, a rate of nine per game. Opponents have attempted 85 free throws during the same span.
Though the sample is small and influenced by Florida committing intentional fouls at the end of three of the four contests, coach Amanda Butler identified the low rate as a sign the Gators have failed to develop a strong inside presence.
“When you look at the games, in particular as of late that we have struggled with, low-block play has been central to that,” Butler said. “That’s where we’ve had a hard time defending. That’s where a lot of our fouls have come, and that’s where we’ve lacked a little bit of presence and consistency.”
Florida has faced two of the conference’s elite post players in the past four games.
Texas A&M center Kelsey Bone, who is tied for third in the conference in scoring with 17.6 points per game, finished with 31 points in the Aggies’ 78-71 win against the Gators on Feb. 14.
Bone attempted 11 free throws in the victory. Florida shot just seven as a team.
Three days later, Georgia forward Jasmine Hassell finished with 16 points and 16 rebounds as the Bulldogs defeated the Gators 62-57. Hassell shot seven times from the foul line and dominated Florida in the post.
“They’re not just the best in the conference, those are two of the best kids in the country,” Butler said. “But then at the same time, we need to have a post player that is going to step up and say, ‘I am going to make this my job. I am going to be the one that makes a difference.’”
Butler has challenged freshman Christin Mercer to be the difference-maker UF needs.
With no room for error as Florida nears the end of the regular season and prepares for the SEC Tournament, Mercer said she is focused on being the inside presence the team needs.
“If we play strong inside and get to the free-throw line, then other teams start to sink in,” Mercer said. “That’s when our guards have the ability to do what they need to do to, and it all goes together.”
Contact Phillip Heilman at pheilman@alligator.org.
Christin Mercer (25) drives the lane in UF’s 87-54 win against Alabama on Feb. 3. Coach Amanda Butler has identified Mercer as an important post player for the Gators.
