Gators Drop Pivotal First Game At PK85 To Xavier

Florida Gators guard Myreon Jones #0 as the Gators open the season with a 81-45 win over the Stony Brook Seawolves at Exactech Arena in Gainesville, Florida on November 7th, 2022. (Photo by David Bowie/Gatorcountry)Florida got some stellar offensive production from players not named Colin Castleton on Thursday but ultimately it wasn’t enough to overcome a poor defensive showing as the Gators dropped the pivotal opening game of the PK85 Tournament to the Xavier Musketeers 90-83. Because of the loss, instead of a marquee matchup with Duke the Gators will now play Oregon State who is coming off a 3-28 season and is currently ranked 223rd in KenPom. Defense had been an issue for the Gators entering this game and Xavier head coach Sean Miller, an outstanding offense mind, knew just how to pick it apart. There were some bright spots offensively from a few players the Gators needed to get going, but the defense is an issue they’ll need to do some serious work on.

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