GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The dominant skills of Florida’s 6-10, 265, center Rueben Chinyelu reached an even higher level in the Gators’ 79-61 victory over LSU on Tuesday evening.
Chinyelu recorded his fifth double-double of the season with 15 points and 21 rebounds, providing an athletic physical presence inside against talented LSU center Michael Nwoko. He scored seven points to begin the second half with an elusive layup off a pass from guard Xavian Lee and a slam dunk, allowing the No. 16 Gators to open up a 47-32 lead over the first five minutes of the second half.
“I know that it’s another day; it’s a new half,” said Chinyelu. “You can just go out there and play with your brothers and enjoy it and get everyone involved to make the most. Pay attention to the scouting report and tendencies, and just enjoy doing that, and I think that’s just what happened.”
The Enugwu-Agidi, Nigerian native, was a tiring presence for LSU’s front line as the Tigers stopped moving and began more reaching. Nwoko was hit with a Flagrant-1 foul, and he fouled out with 6:58 remaining and played only 23 minutes as
“I think you’re seeing a guy just continue to grow and get better in real time, and he’s impacting the game tremendously,” said Florida coach Todd Golden. “I think he’s just playing with such good balance, toughness, there.”
The third-year Gators coach discussed Chinyelu’s fourth consecutive double-double.
“He’s obviously difficult to officiate because I think he gets fouled on every play,” Golden explained. “There’s sometimes when he doesn’t get those whistles, but he’s just really come into his own, kind of gotten really comfortable offensively. He just impacts the game so well defensively and on the glass that he’s become a real stalwart for us in the front court.” — Florida coach Todd Golden explaining Chinyelu’s force.
Nwoko led the Tigers in scoring with 17 points and eight rebounds. He has a deft touch in the paint and around the rim as he was 7-of-10 from the floor where he shoots an SEC-leading 67.8 percent from the field.
“I think the rebounding was the story of the game,” proclaimed LSU coach Matt McMahon. “We were able to keep the tempo the way we wanted in the first half. We made it a half-court game. In their last four games, they averaged 95 points per game. When you give up that many offensive rebounds, they just mauled us on the glass.”
Florida outrebounded the Tigers, 50-30, and scored 26 points off of 24 offensive rebounds. The Gators still lead the nation in acquiring 46.8 rebounds per game and 17.2 offensive boards per game. The Gators also led the nation in rebounding margin at +46.5 boards per game, while opponents found only 30.7.
Perimeter Domination: Guard Urban Klavzar has been a consistent shooter on the perimeter as he comes off the bench and fits well with Boogie Fland and Lee.
The 6-1, 195, Slovenian native made 5-of-9 three-pointers and scored 18 points as the five triples were his career high.
“He’s settled into the role that we hoped he would this year, just being in that little spark plug on the bench, being able to come in and make shots and give a little offensive lift, once we got our bench in there, Golden commented. “Last year, it was a little difficult for him to break into the rotation.”
Klavzar searched the wings to find his three-point field goals. He hit three triples in close to a four-minute span in the second half. He and Chinyelu converted a 7-point play in as many games after Chinyelu made a free throw before Klavazar hit a three-pointer off the right wing and missed a free throw. Chinyelu then scored on an offensive rebound and made the subsequent free throw. Coincidentally, the Gators forged a six-point play in Saturday’s 98-94 win at Vanderbilt.
“I think some people are like ‘Oh, what is Klavžar looking like?’ analyzed Golden. “He only had three NBA guys in front of him, and once those guys got out of the way he started playing a little bit and doing some good things. But, he’s awesome. He has the respect of his teammates.”
Marquel Sutton scores 13.8 ppg, but Florida held him to 4-of-14 from the floor and 0-of-6 from the three-point line.