‘Value the ball’: Zyon Pullin, Gators limiting turnovers in last 2 wins

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Graduate transfer point guard Zyon Pullin and the Gators have been taking care of the ball during their two-game winning streak in league play.

Florida matched its season low with eight turnovers Saturday at Missouri and then set a new mark with just seven turnovers Wednesday against Mississippi State.

Entering their respective games against Florida, Missouri had been forcing 14.3 turnovers per game and MSU was at 12.9, both ranking near the top among SEC teams.

“It’s definitely been big,” Pullin said of just 15 total turnovers in the last two games. “I think really just taking our time and kind of reducing some of the risky plays a little bit. But I think it’s just trying to understand the importance of just valuing the ball, trying to stay under our numbers turnover wise and I think we’ve been pretty good at it.”

Pullin has led the charge, committing no turnovers against Missouri or MSU. He leads the conference in assist-to-turnover ratio (4.3) and ranks second in assists per game (4.6).

“I make my mistakes in practice, but really just try to value the ball,” Pullin said. “Try to make the right play, limit the riskiness a little bit, but still try to get others involved and take the plays they do give us.”

Zyon Pullin Q&A

On adjusting to a starting role:

Pullin: “I don’t think there were too many challenges, I think just being ready, especially when my number is called. I think that was the biggest thing. Whether I was going to be in the starting lineup or I wasn’t, I wasn’t too sure. I wasn’t focused on that. I was just really trying to lock in on what we needed to do as a team to win. That was the biggest thing to me.”

On handling pressure in the SEC:

Pullin: “It’s been different. Definitely more athleticism, the kind of athletes you know you hear about all the time in the SEC, but you really don’t know too much until you actually get here. That was one thing, getting adjusted to that, but just try to take my time, let the game kind of come to me, keep the team relaxed. Just embracing it, knowing there are going to be aggressive, physical teams and take what they give us.”

On adjusting to the cultural change from California to Florida:

Pullin: “It’s been a big adjustment, just Cali and Florida two different vibes. It’s great being down here with this team and stuff like that. The culture is definitely one of the bigger things, you know just the fans and all that stuff, their engagement day in and day out has definitely been pretty fun to be around.”

On what’s been the toughest adjustment: 

Pullin: “I guess being a little bit farther from home, but I kind of like being away a little bit too, so I have my space a little bit. Not anything too much.”

On UF losing a double-digit lead late vs MSU:

Pullin: “It was definitely something to learn from. We watched film on it yesterday. Really, just taking our time and also, I think we took our time a little too much. Just keep being aggressive and especially what was working early was our aggressiveness early. That’s something we definitely learned from, and we’ll implement in the next game.”

On the matchup with the Georgia Bulldogs:

Pullin: “They’ve got a bunch of guys that all can go, 1 through 10 from watching film. It will be a very good game, a physical team, aggressive and things like that.”

On what UF needs improve playing on the road:

Pullin: “I think one of the big things is bringing our own energy early, getting stops on the road, finding a way to get on runs early. That’s one of the things we’ve been looking at. How can we be better on the road? I think that kind of showed a little at Missouri, stuff we’re trying to carry forward. Going here I think we’ve got Kentucky and Texas A&M coming up soon, so that will be a good test for us.”

On how the team chemistry has evolved:

Pullin: “I think it keeps getting better. I think we just have to keep being consistent is the biggest thing, day in and day out whether we’re home or away, especially when we’re playing home. We know we’ve got to be better on the road. I think we’re going to keep watching film, trying to find ways to get better and I think it will show up in the win column.” 

On the sold-out atmosphere at the O’Dome compared to Riverside:

Pullin: “It makes the game a lot more fun, definitely feeding off the crowd. That’s something all the guys feed off of, you know. We all love what they bring, regardless of the game, that’s definitely something, definitely been different from where I’ve been. But it’s been great.”

On if playing in big-time environments was a selling point with UF:

Pullin: “It’s a big thing playing in relatively close to an NBA size arena whether home or arena. It’s been something definitely to look forward to, especially wanting to be at the next level, so it’s been great.”

On what’s most intimidating about the SEC road environments:

Pullin: “Definitely when they go on runs, those guys really feed off of it. But I try not to let it faze me too much. Just kind of stay relaxed, stay poised, is the biggest thing, especially when you go on the road in some hostile environments. The biggest thing is just doing what we do and focusing on what we need to do.”

On Florida’s recent improvements at the free throw line:

Pullin: “It was a matter of time, but also, I think all of us locked in on free throws and understood the importance of it, it could cost us down the road, missing free throws late. I think that’s something the coaches have been really good on, keeping us locked in on those and getting everyone to come and shoot free throws.”

On Florida’s improved 3-point defense recently:

Pullin: “I think the biggest thing is really just understanding the urgency, to reduce the 3s, I think that’s been a big emphasis Coach Golden has put in. You’ve really got to take away the 3s especially to win in the SEC. Kind of live with some 2s, some tough 2s, kind of reducing the number of 3s can help you win the game.”

On whether that could be a factor vs. Georgia:

Pullin: “I think that could be a big factor. I think it can help us if we can reduce some of the guys that want to get the 3s up and make them do some stuff they’re not comfortable doing.”