Everything Florida players said in Indy before facing Colorado
INDIANAPOLIS — Before their Thursday shootaround in Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Florida’s Walter Clayton Jr., Zyon Pullin, Will Richard and Tyrese Samuel met with the media to discuss their NCAA Tournament berth.
The No. 7 seed Gators (24-11) will face 10-seed Colorado (25-11) at 9:30 p.m. on TBS. Here’s everything Clayton, Pullin, Richard and Samuel said about the matchup, the Big Dance, their 2023-24 season and more.
Tyrese Samuel
On making the NCAA Tournament and what it would be mean to get a win:
Samuel: “I’m really excited. I think our whole team is excited. Getting this first win is going to mean a lot. We also last game was a loss for us, so coming off with a win and advancing in the tournament is going to mean everything to us.”
On the win over Kentucky being a season changer for the Gators:
Samuel: “It just puts us in the right direction. They obviously beat us the first time by a big shot at the end game, but winning that game also just changed our season around. We knew that we could play with anyone, especially being down in the game and coming back and winning in overtime, and from there I think that built a lot of confidence for our team.”
On if he thought UF was capable of scoring 100 points in multiple games (4):
Samuel: “I don’t think so. I think just like we were just playing with the feeling of the game going out there. We have a lot of older guys on our team like me, ZP even Walt played for a great coach before and I feel like our poise and our confidence is helping us throughout the season. That’s really pretty much it.”
On making it to the NCAA Tournament in his final season:
Samuel: “Yeah, we all came here with this goal of making March Madness and now we’re here. So, when you accomplish your goal, it feels good. And now we’re focusing on making a run in this tournament, clicking, and making sure we make it to the Final Four and put Florida back on the map.”
Zyon Pullin
On Colorado’s game last night and what to make of them:
Pullin: “Just a super talented team that plays hard, and I think we’re looking forward to the matchup.”
On making it to the NCAA Tournament in his final season:
Pullin: “It’s great seeing the hard work pay off. It’s always something you dream of as a kid growing up watching the games. Just to be a part of something like this is special, and to do it with these guys is even better. So, I’m really looking forward to the experience.”
On the keys for Florida to make a deep run in the Big Dance:
Pullin: “Just physicality, rebounding, and then just taking care of the ball, trying to get a shot up every single time, and I think that will give us the best chance to win.”
Walter Clayton Jr.
On coming back to Florida and helping UF reach this point:
Clayton: “It means a lot. Obviously coming back to Florida, my family was able to come to a lot more games this year rather than being in New York. Being able to play in front of them and playing with these guys and obviously getting here is a great feeling, but I definitely want to win some games. That’s going to mean a lot.”
On how much freedom Todd Golden gives him on offense:
Clayton: “As far as freedom, I think a lot of us have freedom, the freedom to do things that’s tailored to our game. I think our offense has a lot of movement in it. We just get moving, get the bigs involved a lot, and just obviously I think ZP being PG does a great job getting us shots, and that allows the whole team to just play free.”
On the win over Kentucky being a season changer for the Gators:
Clayton: “Definitely was. I guess you could say a season changer. Going on the road and just getting a big win obviously created a lot of momentum. So, ever since then we’ve had a lot of momentum and it’s kind of pushed our season in the right direction.”
On if he thought UF was capable of scoring 100 points in multiple games (4):
Clayton: “I think as a team we thought we were capable of going out there and doing anything, but gotta go out there and do it, and we did that.”
On if the Gators’ prep is different because they’re unfamiliar with Colorado:
Clayton: “No, our preparation is not going to be different. Obviously, the coaches are going to give us a great game plan, we’re going to watch film, do all of those things. Not going to change anything in preparation, just got to get ready to play.”
Will Richard
On Colorado’s game last night and what to make of them:
Richard: “We watched the first half together as a team and we went back to our room the watched the whole game. They’re a good team, talented, so we’re going to be ready for them.”
On the keys for Florida to make a deep run in the Big Dance:
Richard: “For us, I think it was just playing together, being the most physical team out there, doing things like rebounding and stuff like that. Just coming out and being aggressive the whole game and having a complete 40-minute game.”
On how he feels about Florida’s chances in the tournament:
Richard: “Yeah, it definitely feels very good this year compared to last year. It’s a whole different energy, whole different feeling. It’s great to be part of a group like this, and hopefully we can make something special happen.”
On if the Gators’ prep is different because they’re unfamiliar with Colorado:
Richard: “I don’t think we’re going to change anything with the way we approach the game. We’re going to watch film and stuff like that, practice, go over the plays and stuff like that and be prepared for Friday.”
