No. 25 Florida limping into NCAA tournament

By Mark Long

Associated Press

Published: Monday, March 12 2012 3:40 p.m. MDT

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Florida head coach Billy Donovan and the Gator bench react near the end of a 74-71 loss to Kentucky in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semi-final round of the 2012 Southeastern Conference tournament at the New Orleans Arena in New Orleans, Saturday, March 10, 2012.

Dave Martin, Associated Press

Summary

Having lost four of its last five games, No. 25 Florida is limping into the NCAA tournament.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Having lost four of its last five games, No. 25 Florida is limping into the NCAA tournament.

And it's not just because of the walking boot on Will Yeguete's left foot.

Leading scorer Kenny Boynton is shooting 29 percent and averaging 9 points in Florida's last five games. Fellow guard Erving Walker hasn't been much better, shooting 34.5 percent from the floor and 30.7 percent from 3-point range over the same stretch. Throw in center Patric Young's inconsistency and guard Mike Rosario's suddenly diminished role and the Gators (23-10) look as vulnerable as any higher seed in the tournament field.

The late-season slump prompted the NCAA selection committee to make Florida the No. 7 seed in the West Region. The Gators will play 10th-seeded Virginia (22-9) Friday in Omaha, Neb.

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