Florida Gators outlast Michigan in double overtime battle
Charlotte, N.C. -- The 2023 Jumpman invitational tipped off with Florida vs. Michigan. The game did not disappoint fans out for the two day double-header.
Florida came into the matchup on a 3-game win streak. Michigan entered the game fresh off a win over Iowa. Michigan led the all-times series 3-1 when the teams took the court. But after the double overtime thriller, the Gators inched closer to evening that tally.
It was a Michigan dominated showing for a majority of the matchup that tightened in the second half.
Florida forward Tyrese Samuel was a game-changing factor for the Gators in the second overtime. His dunk was the spark for a Florida 11-0 run to give the Gators some breathing room. Then Walter Clayton Jr. knocked down his only 3-pointer of the game to give Florida a nine-point lead with 47 seconds left.
The Gators went on to take the 106-101 double overtime victory. Samuel posted a season-high 21 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks. Teammate Zyon Pullin poured in 22 points.
Michigan guard Dug McDaniel posted a career-high 33 points. Michigan forward Olivier Nkamhoua grabbed a season-high 11 rebounds to bolster his 24 point scoring effort.
For the gators, it was a quality test of how far the program has come since last season as well as a litmus test for how the team can recover and finish as they head into conference play in January. "They play one of the toughest schedules in America and they've played a lot of those teams really, really close. So we knew this was going to be a big challenge for us. Obviously this is going to be a quad-1 or quad-2 win and we have three of those right now. At this point last year we had zero," Florida head coach Todd Golden.
Despite a stellar performance by both teams, after the loss Michigan head coach Juwan Howard took time to express his sentiments about something bigger than than game - the loss of college basketball great, Eric Montross, who recently passed away from his battle with cancer. "I remember telling Eric he took my ring from me. So, I'm sure he's up there laughing right now. I will most definitely say a special prayer for Eric Montross and his family," Howard said during his post game press conference.
