Some observations following UF’s 77-75 win over Memphis:
— Florida needs to defend the 3-point line better. The Gators were fortunate that Memphis missed some wide-open looks, but the Tigers still made six 3-pointers in finishing 33.3 percent (6-18) from beyond the arc. In UF’s last three games, the Gators have allowed 25 3-pointers with the three opponents combining to shoot 41 percent (25-61) from the 3-point line.
— Dorian Finney-Smith is a terrific talent, but he needs to be more careful with the ball. The 6-foot-8 sophomore forward had four turnovers against Memphis and 11 turnovers over his last three games. But Finney-Smith did a nice job sliding over to help and alter the shot of Memphis guard Joe Jackson in UF’s game-deciding final defensive stand.
— It was nice to see freshman guard Kasey Hill get off the shnide and finally hit his first 3-pointer of the season. Hill (1-8 from 3-point range this season) is going to need to prove that he can shoot from outside to keep defenses honest. Florida coach Billy Donovan said that Hill is about “85-90 percent” back from a high ankle sprain he suffered in mid-November.
