Latest news with #MicahHandlogten
Yahoo
30-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Florida rallies to beat Texas Tech
Florida center Micah Handlogten, left, dunks next to Texas Tech guard Kevin Overton during the second half in the Elite Eight of the NCAA college basketball tournament Saturday, March 29, 2025, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez) SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Body Walter Clayton Jr. rescued top-seeded Florida with two late 3-pointers, and the Gators rallied from nine points down late to reach the Final Four with an 84-79 victory over Texas Tech in the NCAA Tournament's West Region final on Saturday. Advertisement The Gators (34-4) trailed 75-66 with less than three minutes to play before staging a furious rally against the third-seeded Red Raiders (28-9), who had done the same in the Sweet 16 against Arkansas. Clayton, who began his college career at Iona, scored 30 points to lead the Gators. Thomas Haugh added 20 points and 11 rebounds off the bench. Haugh started the comeback with two 3-pointers. Clayton then tied it with his shot from long range after Texas Tech missed a second straight front end of a one-and-one. After Darrius Williams scored down low for Texas Tech, Clayton's last 3 put Florida ahead to stay, and the Gators sealed it at the foul line. Advertisement Williams scored 23 points to lead Texas Tech and JT Toppin added 20. DUKE 85, ALABAMA 65 Duke's stream of long, tall NBA-ready standouts smothered Alabama and papered over Cooper Flagg's rough shooting night to lift the Blue Devils to the program's 18th Final Four with a victory in the NCAA Tournament's East Region final. Flagg made only 6 of 16 shots, including a brick that got stuck in the flange of the rim, but still finished with 16 points. Kon Knueppel, another potential lottery pick, led the Blue Devils with 21 points. But the most important stat: Alabama's nation-leading offense, one coming off a record-setting night from 3 in the Sweet 16, shot 8 for 32 from behind the arc, 35.4% overall and failed to crack 70 for only the second time this season. Advertisement Mark Sears, who came one short of a tournament record with 10 3s two nights earlier, finished with one and only six points against the Blue Devils (35-3), who won their 15th straight. _____ AP March Madness bracket: and coverage:
USA Today
15-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Florida Gators men's basketball advances to SEC Tournament title game with blowout of Bama
Florida Gators men's basketball advances to SEC Tournament title game with blowout of Bama Florida and Alabama battled over the first 20 minutes of an SEC Basketball Tournament semifinal game Saturday afternoon, but it was all Gators in the second half as the Orange and Blue took down the Crimson Tide, 104-82, setting a new season-high in points in the process. Six Gators finished with double digit points, including a combined 54 points from Florida's big three of Walter Clayton Jr. (22), Alijah Martin (16) and Will Richard (16). Rueben Chinyelu posted his fourth double-double of the year with a 10-and-10 performance over 16 minutes, and Micah Handlogten also grabbed 10 boards over 14 minutes. It wasn't Alex Condon's best game, but the rest of the team picked up any slack. Even walk-on Bennett Andersen scored his first bucket in the final Gators possession of the game. The victory puts Florida back into the SEC Championship for a second straight year, and it's a chance to decide the season series against Tennessee after splitting the two regular season games — each team winning by 20 or more points. A frenetic first half Any matchup between top-5 offenses is bound to be a high-scoring affair. Alabama is No. 3 in adjusted offensive efficiency and Florida is just behind at No. 4, so it wasn't too surprising to see the two teams on pace for well over a combined 200 points through the first 10 minutes. Things slowed down a bit leading into the break, but a 47-45 score at halftime rivals an NBA scoring pace. Of course, it helps when there are four potential pro guards in this matchup, with Walter Clayton Jr. and Mark Sears among the best scorers in the country. Clayton led all scorers at the break with 12 points on 4-of-11 shooting, all four buckets coming from beyond the 3-point line. It wasn't the best first 20 for Florida's star big man, Alex Condon, but the rest of the frontcourt rotation picked up the slack. Thomas Haugh had eight points and four rebounds playing starter minutes (14) off the bench, and Rueben Chinyelu went 3-of-4 from the field for six points and added seven rebounds — three on the offense glass. Micah Handlogten was perhaps the most efficient Florida big, scoring four points and four rebounds in as many minutes. There's nothing more dangerous than a high-energy center off the bench. A tale of two halves Coming out of halftime, everyone in the building expected another fast-paced half but they got a slugfest instead. Some early fouls led to both teams scoring a ton in the first half, but Florida picked up the defense in the second half, even after Rueben Chinyelu picked up an early third foul. After blocking zero shots in the first half, Florida denied four attempts and forced four more turnovers on steals in the second. A lot of that success can be attributed to Alabama losing Grant Nelson in the second half to a left leg injury. Nelson was a presence down low early, but the Tide looked lost in the paint without him. Florida jumped out to a 10-point lead after three minutes in the second half and never looked back, building the lead to 20 by the 9-minute mark and pushing it 24 points twice. Clayton, Alijah Martin and Will Richard all scored 10 or more points in the half, with Clayton adding five assists. Florida deserves the No. 1 seed No matter what happens in the championship game tomorrow, Florida should be a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament when the selection committee announces the field later on in the day. Tennessee entered the day behind Alabama as the second No. 2 seed in the country and Florida held the fourth No. 1 seed, according to ESPN bracketologist Joe Lunardi. With Tennessee taking down the likely top overall seed, there's a world where blowing out Florida gets them into the No. 1 seed conversation, but the Gators proved they are the deepest team in the country and beat Alabama at its own game. Todd Golden said that the goal was to win nine in a row and finish on top of both tournaments; the first leg of that run can be locked up tomorrow at 1 p.m. EDT. Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
NBC Sports
11-03-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Florida's Micah Handlogten anticipates an emotional return to Nashville and the SEC tourney
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida center Micah Handlogten might bring a box of thank-you cards to the Southeastern Conference Tournament. Or flowers. Or candy. Or some other token of appreciation. After all, Handlogten owes so much to so many who helped him in the minutes, hours and days after he gruesomely broke his left leg in the SEC tourney finale a year ago. Now fully recovered and back on the court for the fourth-ranked Gators, Handlogten returns to Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee, for the first time since leaving on a gurney. 'I try not to think about it too much, just try to focus on the task at hand,' Handlogten said. 'Obviously it's going to be different to be back. It's going to be emotional to start. I'm there for one thing: that's to win games, and that's the goal at the end of the day.' Florida (27-4, 14-4 SEC) is the No. 2 seed in the 16-team field and will play Missouri, Mississippi State or LSU. The Gators, who won nine of their last 10 to close out the regular season, probably need to win at least one game in the league bracket to secure a No. 1 seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament. The stakes alone should have Florida ready. The venue should make it more meaningful for Handlogten. The 7-foot-1 junior landed awkwardly on his left foot while chasing a rebound in the opening minutes of the championship game against Auburn on March 17, 2024. He immediately crashed to the court in agony and rolled onto his side, placing his hands over his face. Coaches, athletic trainers and then paramedics rushed to help. They covered his bleeding leg with a towel. As they worked to stabilize his leg in an air cast, his parents were escorted onto the court to be by his side. Handlogten was eventually placed on a backboard and taken off on a stretcher. Players hustled over to offer support before he was whisked to a waiting ambulance. Handlogten underwent surgery a short time later at nearby Vanderbilt University Medical Center. He had a rod and two screws inserted into his leg — but still managed to rejoin the team for the NCAA Tournament in Indianapolis a few days later. The Gators lost to Colorado in the opening round with Handlogten watching from behind the bench. 'I couldn't really ask for better surgeons and staff there to help me through everything,' he said. 'But going back there, I'm not really going to think about it as much as people would think. I'm just going to focus on winning games.' Nonetheless, Handlogten hinted at taking time to visit doctors, nurses and paramedics who were there for him a year ago. His journey back came with a twist. After spending nine months rehabbing — he welcomed an extra 20 pounds of muscle — Handlogten decided to forgo a medical redshirt and rejoin the team in February. He waffled for weeks, but with fellow big men Alex Condon and Sam Alexis sidelined with ankle injuries, Handlogten jumped at the chance to play again. 'We have a special team,' Handlogten said. 'We really have a shot to go all the way. And I got excited about that, and I think that played a huge role in it because I want to be out there with my boys. They were with me through thick and thin throughout my recovery process. 'There's been hardships, but they've helped me through that, and I see this as a way to help them get to where they want to be and where I want to be — and that's national championship contenders. We have ourselves in a very good position to be that.' Handlogten has 39 rebounds, 17 points, 11 assists, seven steals and six blocked shots in seven games. He's provided Florida with even more front-court depth behind Condon, Rueben Chinyelu and sixth man Thomas Haugh. 'He's just such a luxury to have back and just shows how much of a winning player someone can be without scoring a lot,' Florida coach Todd Golden said. 'His ability to get his hands on balls on the offensive glass and keep plays alive and create second chances for us. 'I'm thrilled for us that he's back, but I'm also really happy for him that he's able to go out there and have some really good success and be able to be part of it with his teammates.'
Washington Post
11-03-2025
- Sport
- Washington Post
Florida's Micah Handlogten anticipates an emotional return to Nashville and the SEC tourney
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida center Micah Handlogten might bring a box of thank-you cards to the Southeastern Conference Tournament. Or flowers. Or candy. Or some other token of appreciation. After all, Handlogten owes so much to so many who helped him in the minutes, hours and days after he gruesomely broke his left leg in the SEC tourney finale a year ago.
Fox Sports
11-03-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Florida's Micah Handlogten anticipates an emotional return to Nashville and the SEC tourney
Associated Press GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Florida center Micah Handlogten might bring a box of thank-you cards to the Southeastern Conference Tournament. Or flowers. Or candy. Or some other token of appreciation. After all, Handlogten owes so much to so many who helped him in the minutes, hours and days after he gruesomely broke his left leg in the SEC tourney finale a year ago. Now fully recovered and back on the court for the fourth-ranked Gators, Handlogten returns to Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee, for the first time since leaving on a gurney. 'I try not to think about it too much, just try to focus on the task at hand,' Handlogten said. 'Obviously it's going to be different to be back. It's going to be emotional to start. I'm there for one thing: that's to win games, and that's the goal at the end of the day.' Florida (27-4, 14-4 SEC) is the No. 2 seed in the 16-team field and will play Missouri, Mississippi State or LSU on Friday. The Gators, who won nine of their last 10 to close out the regular season, probably need to win at least one game in the league bracket to secure a No. 1 seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament. The stakes alone should have Florida ready. The venue should make it more meaningful for Handlogten. The 7-foot-1 junior landed awkwardly on his left foot while chasing a rebound in the opening minutes of the championship game against Auburn on March 17, 2024. He immediately crashed to the court in agony and rolled onto his side, placing his hands over his face. Coaches, athletic trainers and then paramedics rushed to help. They covered his bleeding leg with a towel. As they worked to stabilize his leg in an air cast, his parents were escorted onto the court to be by his side. Handlogten was eventually placed on a backboard and taken off on a stretcher. Players hustled over to offer support before he was whisked to a waiting ambulance. Handlogten underwent surgery a short time later at nearby Vanderbilt University Medical Center. He had a rod and two screws inserted into his leg — but still managed to rejoin the team for the NCAA Tournament in Indianapolis a few days later. The Gators lost to Colorado in the opening round with Handlogten watching from behind the bench. 'I couldn't really ask for better surgeons and staff there to help me through everything,' he said. 'But going back there, I'm not really going to think about it as much as people would think. I'm just going to focus on winning games.' Nonetheless, Handlogten hinted at taking time to visit doctors, nurses and paramedics who were there for him a year ago. His journey back came with a twist. After spending nine months rehabbing — he welcomed an extra 20 pounds of muscle — Handlogten decided to forgo a medical redshirt and rejoin the team in February. He waffled for weeks, but with fellow big men Alex Condon and Sam Alexis sidelined with ankle injuries, Handlogten jumped at the chance to play again. 'We have a special team,' Handlogten said. 'We really have a shot to go all the way. And I got excited about that, and I think that played a huge role in it because I want to be out there with my boys. They were with me through thick and thin throughout my recovery process. 'There's been hardships, but they've helped me through that, and I see this as a way to help them get to where they want to be and where I want to be — and that's national championship contenders. We have ourselves in a very good position to be that.' Handlogten has 39 rebounds, 17 points, 11 assists, seven steals and six blocked shots in seven games. He's provided Florida with even more front-court depth behind Condon, Rueben Chinyelu and sixth man Thomas Haugh. 'He's just such a luxury to have back and just shows how much of a winning player someone can be without scoring a lot,' Florida coach Todd Golden said. 'His ability to get his hands on balls on the offensive glass and keep plays alive and create second chances for us. 'I'm thrilled for us that he's back, but I'm also really happy for him that he's able to go out there and have some really good success and be able to be part of it with his teammates.' ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 all season. Sign up here. AP college basketball: and recommended
