ESPN/Mark Humphrey

By: Brandon
admin@gatorsportsnation.com

Chandler Parsons had an outstanding 27 point performance in today’s 94-69 victory against the Vanderbilt Commodores (12-7) in Nashville. The Gators started out kind of slow after trailing by 6 and forcing a few turnovers in a row. That is what Billy preached to this young Gator team after the South Carolina Loss. Limit the amount of turnovers.

Florida kept the turnovers down to 4 in the first half and the defense forced Vanderbilt to turn the ball over 10 times, but still put up 12 turnovers in today’s contest. It was pretty much target practice for Florida from the three point line. I myself have never seen this ball club shoot this well from my years watching. Florida was 12 for 18 (67%) for three pointers and what I don’t get is how did the Gators shoot so horrible last year in Nashville shooting 1 for 15 from behind the arc. But this is a totally different Gator team.

At the end of the first half Florida had a commanding 56-37 lead after sophomore guard Nick Calathes put up a buzzer beating three which gave Florida the twelfth one of the half. Vanderbilt opened up the game only allowing 60 points from their opponents, but not today. Coach Donovan mentioned in his interview that the shooting did the job and he thinks the players really responded well from the loss against the Gamecocks.

I was really impressed by the Gators passing. They made that extra pass and it led to wide open shots. Most of Florida’s three pointers were all off the extra pass. Florida leads the SEC in assists averaging 18 per contest and I wouldn’t be surprised to see that number jump up after the blowout today.

Chandler Parsons just had an breakthrough performance today. No doubt about it. This is probably by far his best game played as a Florida Gator. Parsons was a perfect 5 for 5 from the three point line up till 5 minutes remaining in the first half and finished the game going 7 for 8 beyond the arc. Freshman guard Erving Walker came off the bench with the hot hand. Walker shot 3 for 5 from the three point line and finished with six assists. Nick Calathes gathered 15 points, four assists and four rebounds. Senior guard Walter Hodge added 10 points, Alex Tyus put up 9, and freshman center Kenny Kadji had 8.

The Gators (17-3, 4-1) are back in action on Wednesday January 28th in Gainesville as they host Georgia. Tip off will be at 8:00pm.