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Florida’s win against Maryland on Thursday night was the 10th Sweet 16 win in the history of the program. The Gators have only lost twice in the Sweet 16, in 1987 to Syracuse and 1999 to Gonzaga (and I still say Casey Calvary was over the back).
Because we always must let a game simmer for a while, we won’t include Thursday night’s win in the High Five’s look at the five best Florida wins in the Sweet 16.
But we will rank these:
- The buzzer-beater
To sum up the Florida overtime 84-83 win against Wisconsin in 2017 in a few words is impossible. Somehow, some way, the Badgers kept fighting back and making crazy shots … until Chris Chiozza made what is arguably the greatest shot in UF history.
He sprinted down the court and let loose a 3 off one leg just short of the line. It went in and bedlam ensued, much of it landing on my press row seat.
I had to scramble to rewrite my column in 10 minutes. It might have been my finest moment.
It certainly was Chiozza’s.
- The throw shot
Florida had its hands full with Georgetown and John Thompson Jr. in the 2006 game. Then, Corey Brewer got an outlet pass of an offensive rebound and drove the lane.
He was fouled going up, but somehow just threw it into the basket. And 1, as well with 28 seconds to play.
Georgetown came back down the court and Brewer slipped while covering his man, but the Hoyas’ Darrel Owens missed the wide open 3. Al Horford got the rebound and made two free throws for a 57-53 win and an eventual national title.
- He missed them both
It looked like the game was over when UConn’s Donyell Marshall stepped to the line with 3.4 seconds remaining in a tie game. He missed the first and Florida called timeout.
Then he missed again.
Florida tried a desperation shot by Dametri Hill that missed, but outscored the Huskies 12-3 in overtime for a 69-60 win on its way to the school’s first Final Four.
- Jimmer time
It was New Orleans and the national media had come to see Jimmer Fridette of BYU. You may have seen him in the crowd when Florida ended UConn’s season on Sunday.
Fridette had beaten the Gators the previous year in the first round, but this time he got a bloody chin and an L.
The Gators secured a win in overtime 83-74 in the 2011 season, but lost to Butler two days later.
- There goes Duke
There wasn’t a ton of drama in this Sweet 16 game, but it was a huge step toward Florida’s first appearance in the national championship game.
Duke was the No. 1 seed, but Florida had the tools and the talent to win this game 87-78 in 2000 at the Carrier Dome.
The Gators just had too much depth for the Dukies.
WRUF.com sports columnist Pat Dooley can be heard on “The Tailgate” along with Jeff Cardozo from 4-6 p.m. Monday-Friday on 98.1-FM/AM-850 WRUF.
