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.
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