Florida Vs. Syracuse: Orange Guards Outplay Gators For 72-68 Win In Carrier Dome

The Florida Gators lost their second game of the season on Friday night, falling 72-68 to the Syracuse Orange in the Big East/SEC Challenge. Florida's offense was stifled by 'Cuse's 2-3 zone, which coach Jim Boeheim has famously relied on for decades. Gator guards Erving Walker (in the first half) and Kenny Boynton (in the second half) carried Florida's offense throughout, but quiet nights from freshman phenom Brad Beal and Patric Young did not give the Gators enough firepower on the offensive end.

Walker kept Florida in it in the first half, hitting three three pointers in the first twenty minutes. He finished with 14 points. Kenny Boynton had a relatively quiet first half, but really got hot in the second half, finishing with 22 points and hitting four three pointers for the underdog Gators. Beal finished with double digit rebounds for the second game in the row, but the freshman was held to just seven points and missed all 5 shots from downtown. The Gators, who were without Erik Murphy, turned the ball over 20 times, which led to a ton of easy transition buckets. Fourteen of those turnovers were committed by Florida's guards, as Brandon Triche and Scoop Jardine took control of the game for the 72-68 win.

It doesn't get a whole lot easier for Billy Donovan and the Gators, as another BCS conference and historical hoops powerhouse awaits. Sean Miller and his Arizona Wildcats are up next, visiting the O'Connell Center on Wednesday.

Florida Vs. Syracuse Score Update: Gators Trail Orange By Four After First Half

The Florida Gators traveled north on Friday night to face a Syracuse team embroiled in off-the-court controversy. It's the Orange's first big test since the allegations against former 'Cuse assistant coach Bernie Fine were made public. The Gators held their own for the first twenty minutes against the number three team in the country, but Syracuse's famed 2-3 zone did give Florida trouble on the offensive end.

Big man Patric Young struggled to get anything going inside against the zone, putting up only two points on two shot attempts. The zone typically yields more three point opportunities, an area where the Gators already excel - putting up 35 attempts in their last game against Stetson. In the first half on Monday, Florida chucked 15 attempts from downtown, but shot only 20%, with Erving Walker hitting their only threes of the first half for nine points. Freshman Brad Beal also struggled in the first, and was unable to get good looks and shots against the zone.

Despite the first half offensive struggles, the Gators are still just down four as they look to get a big road win in the Big East/SEC Challenge.

For more on the Gators, visit Alligator Army.

Florida Vs. Syracuse Game Time, TV Schedule And More

Friday night, the No. 10 Florida Gators (5-1) take on the No. 4 Syracuse Orange (7-0) at the Carrier Dome, Syracuse's home court. It's the fourth meeting between the teams in history, but the first not played on a neutral court. Both teams began the season ranked highly--Florida at No. 8, Syracuse at No. 5--and to date both have justified those rankings with strong performances.

Florida's backcourt of Kenny Boynton and Bradley Beal combines for 35.5 points per game on 50 percent shooting from the field and 43 percent from beyond the arc. Senior forward Kris Joseph leads Syracuse with 14.7 points per game.

Here's everything you need to know about Friday's matchup between Florida and Syracuse:

Game Date/Time: Friday, December 2; 7:00pm ET

Location: Carrier Dome, Syracuse, NY

TV Schedule
ESPN

Radio Schedule
Florida: Gator Sports Network via GatorVision
Syracuse: WTKW 99.5 or 105.5 FM

For more on the Gators, head over to Alligator Army, SB Nation's Florida blog. For the view from the other side, please visit SB Nation New York and Troy Nunes is an Absolute Magician, SB Nation's Syracuse blog.

Florida Vs. Syracuse 2011: Gators Visit Orange In Top-10 Showdown

The No. 10 Gators meet the No. 4 Orange for the fourth time in history, but the first time not on a neutral court.