NCAA notebook: Larson’s physicality helping Gators in practice

<p>TAMPA — Florida freshman Cody Larson has yet to appear in a game this season.</p><p>Yet the 6-foot-9, 225-pound Larson remains in a critical role as Florida continues to play into the postseason. Larson, who is red-shirting this season, has provided another physical body in practices since October.</p><p>"It's been tough, " Larson said, when asked about not playing. "But I'm just trying to get better every day."</p><p>Larson, who de-committed from Iowa and signed with Florida last spring, said it was tough to come to terms with red-shirting, but now he understands. With the all-senior starting front line of Alex Tyus, Chandler Parsons and Vernon Macklin gone, Larson should get more opportunities for minutes next season.</p><p>"You can say that, but I'm looking at it like I'm not going to play if I don't get better," Larson said. "I just need to keep improving on offense and on defense."</p><p>Florida associate coach Larry Shyatt said Larson has made progress this season.</p><p>"He's been terrific," Shyatt said. "He's helped our frontline get better this year. Great work ethic, improved offensively, inside and outside. We're excited he's going to be eligible next season."</p><p>Teammates also have noticed improvement from Larson, a Sioux Falls, S.D. native.</p><p>"He's gotten a lot better this year," Florida sophomore forward Erik Murphy said. "He's gotten a lot stronger. He's actually one of our more physical guys. So I think he helps everybody out in practice. With A.T. (Tyus) leaving, he'll definitely give us some size, some strength, some toughness. It will definitely be big for us."</p><p>Shyatt said that Larson's decision to redshirt will benefit both him and Florida down the road. Florida has just one post player, former DePaul signee Walter Pitchford, committed for the 2011 class.</p><p>"No question it helps our recruiting classes," Shyatt said. "It helps him academically and it helps us down the road."</p><p><B>Tough turnaround</B></p><p>Clemson coach Brad Brownell intimated that the short turnaround may have affected his team's play in the second half of its 84-76 loss to West Virginia.</p><p>After Clemson beat UAB 70-52 the 7 p.m. opening-round game Tuesday night in Dayton, Ohio, Clemson arrived in Tampa at 5 a.m. Wednesday morning. Clemson and West Virginia tipped off at 12:15 p.m. Thursday from the St. Pete Times Forum.</p><p>"We didn't lose the game because it started at 12:15 p.m., but I don't know if we were half a step slow," Brownell said. "We're just not as deep so it's hard for us."</p><p><B>Coaching quadrant</B></p><p>Florida's four-team tournament quadrant includes Michigan State, coached by Tom Izzo, and UCLA, coached by Ben Howland. Izzo, Howland and Florida coach Billy Donovan have combined for 12 Final Four appearances and three national titles.</p><p>"It's never easy and it's especially difficult when you look at what Michigan State has done over the last 12 years," Howland said. "They've been to the Final Four six times. ... You look around the room this time of year, it's great coaches and great players. It's pretty typical of the NCAA tournament."</p><p><B>Knight moves</B></p><p>Kentucky freshman point guard Brandon Knight struggled throughout his first NCAA Tournament game, but made the most of his opportunity with the game on the line.</p><p>Knight's scoop bank-shot with two seconds left helped No. 4 seed Kentucky escape with a 59-57 win over No. 13 seed Princeton.</p><p>It was the only shot Knight, a Fort Lauderdale native, made all game. Knight finished 1-of-8 from the floor, with 2 points and 5 assists.</p><p>"He's a winner," Kentucky coach John Calipari said. "He's not afraid to make a play. Guys like him aren't afraid to miss."</p><p>Calipari said jitters may have affected the fab freshman duo of Knight and forward Terrence Jones. Jones, the Southeastern Conference freshman of the year, had just 10 points and didn't start the second half.</p>