SEC matchup: Florida vs Mississippi State

Florida Gators guard Will Richard (5) drives to the basket. The Florida men’s basketball team hosted the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center in Gainesville, FL on Wednesday, January 24, 2024. [Doug Engle/Ocala Star Banner]

Mississippi State Bulldogs forward Tolu Smith (1) tries to block a shot by Florida Gators guard Will Richard (5) in the first half. The Florida men’s basketball team hosted the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center in Gainesville, FL on Wednesday, January 24, 2024. [Doug Engle/Ocala Star Banner]

Florida Gators forward Tyrese Samuel (4) slam dunks the ball in the first half as Mississippi State Bulldogs forward Jimmy Bell Jr. (15) can only watch. The Florida men’s basketball team hosted the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center in Gainesville, FL on Wednesday, January 24, 2024. [Doug Engle/Ocala Star Banner]

Florida Gators guard Denzel Aberdeen (11) passed the ball while under pressure from Mississippi State Bulldogs guard Shawn Jones Jr. (5) in the first half. The Florida men’s basketball team hosted the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center in Gainesville, FL on Wednesday, January 24, 2024. [Doug Engle/Ocala Star Banner]

A Gator fan shows her support during the first half. The Florida men’s basketball team hosted the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center in Gainesville, FL on Wednesday, January 24, 2024. [Doug Engle/Ocala Star Banner]

Florida Gators guard Denzel Aberdeen (11) is denied the basket by Mississippi State Bulldogs forward Jimmy Bell Jr. (15) in the first half. The Florida men’s basketball team hosted the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center in Gainesville, FL on Wednesday, January 24, 2024. [Doug Engle/Ocala Star Banner]

Florida Gators head coach Todd Golden reacts to a play in the first half. The Florida men’s basketball team hosted the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center in Gainesville, FL on Wednesday, January 24, 2024. [Doug Engle/Ocala Star Banner]

Mississippi State Bulldogs head coach Chris Jans has words with an official in the first half. The Florida men’s basketball team hosted the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center in Gainesville, FL on Wednesday, January 24, 2024. [Doug Engle/Ocala Star Banner]

Mississippi State Bulldogs forward Tolu Smith (1) pressures Florida Gators guard Will Richard (5) in the first half. The Florida men’s basketball team hosted the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center in Gainesville, FL on Wednesday, January 24, 2024. [Doug Engle/Ocala Star Banner]

Florida Gators forward Tyrese Samuel (4) shoots over Mississippi State Bulldogs forward D.J. Jeffries (0) in the first half. The Florida men’s basketball team hosted the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center in Gainesville, FL on Wednesday, January 24, 2024. [Doug Engle/Ocala Star Banner]

Mississippi State Bulldogs head coach Chris Jans reacts to a call in the first half. The Florida men’s basketball team hosted the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center in Gainesville, FL on Wednesday, January 24, 2024. [Doug Engle/Ocala Star Banner]

Florida Gators guard Zyon Pullin (0) passes the ball in the first half. The Florida men’s basketball team hosted the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center in Gainesville, FL on Wednesday, January 24, 2024. [Doug Engle/Ocala Star Banner]

Mississippi State Bulldogs guard Josh Hubbard (13) loses the ball to the Gators in the first half. The Florida men’s basketball team hosted the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center in Gainesville, FL on Wednesday, January 24, 2024. [Doug Engle/Ocala Star Banner]

Florida Gators guard Riley Kugel (2) slam dunks the ball in the first half. The Florida men’s basketball team hosted the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center in Gainesville, FL on Wednesday, January 24, 2024. [Doug Engle/Ocala Star Banner]

Florida Gators guard Zyon Pullin (0) calls an offensive play in the first half. The Florida men’s basketball team hosted the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center in Gainesville, FL on Wednesday, January 24, 2024. [Doug Engle/Ocala Star Banner]

Florida Gators guard Riley Kugel (2) drives to the basket in the first half. The Florida men’s basketball team hosted the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center in Gainesville, FL on Wednesday, January 24, 2024. [Doug Engle/Ocala Star Banner]

Mississippi State Bulldogs forward D.J. Jeffries (0) knocks the ball loose from Florida Gators guard Will Richard (5) hands in the first half. The Florida men’s basketball team hosted the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center in Gainesville, FL on Wednesday, January 24, 2024. [Doug Engle/Ocala Star Banner]

Mississippi State Bulldogs forward D.J. Jeffries (0) collides with Florida Gators guard Will Richard (5) in the first half. The Florida men’s basketball team hosted the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center in Gainesville, FL on Wednesday, January 24, 2024. [Doug Engle/Ocala Star Banner]

Mississippi State Bulldogs guard Shakeel Moore (3) falls backwards while shooting in the first half. The Florida men’s basketball team hosted the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center in Gainesville, FL on Wednesday, January 24, 2024. [Doug Engle/Ocala Star Banner]

Florida Gators guard Walter Clayton Jr. (1) drives to the basket in the first half. The Florida men’s basketball team hosted the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center in Gainesville, FL on Wednesday, January 24, 2024. [Doug Engle/Ocala Star Banner]

Florida Gators forward Tyrese Samuel (4) yells before the start of the game. The Florida men’s basketball team hosted the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center in Gainesville, FL on Wednesday, January 24, 2024. [Doug Engle/Ocala Star Banner]

Gator fans dance in their seats during the first half. The Florida men’s basketball team hosted the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center in Gainesville, FL on Wednesday, January 24, 2024. [Doug Engle/Ocala Star Banner]

The Florida men’s basketball team hosted the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center in Gainesville, FL on Wednesday, January 24, 2024. Florida won 79-70. [Doug Engle/Ocala Star Banner]

Florida Gators head coach Todd Golden coaches from the sidelines in the second half. The Florida men’s basketball team hosted the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center in Gainesville, FL on Wednesday, January 24, 2024. Florida won 79-70. [Doug Engle/Ocala Star Banner]

Florida Gators guard Riley Kugel (2) and Florida Gators guard Walter Clayton Jr. (1) talk in the final second of the game. The Florida men’s basketball team hosted the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center in Gainesville, FL on Wednesday, January 24, 2024. Florida won 79-70. [Doug Engle/Ocala Star Banner]

A referee uses his breast cancer awareness themed whistle during the second half. The Florida men’s basketball team hosted the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center in Gainesville, FL on Wednesday, January 24, 2024. Florida won 79-70. [Doug Engle/Ocala Star Banner]

Florida Gators guard Will Richard (5) gets poked in the eye in the second half. The Florida men’s basketball team hosted the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center in Gainesville, FL on Wednesday, January 24, 2024. Florida won 79-70. [Doug Engle/Ocala Star Banner]

Florida Gators guard Zyon Pullin (0) passes the ball in the second half. The Florida men’s basketball team hosted the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center in Gainesville, FL on Wednesday, January 24, 2024. Florida won 79-70. [Doug Engle/Ocala Star Banner]

Mississippi State Bulldogs guard Josh Hubbard (13) and Florida Gators forward Tyrese Samuel (4) go after a rebound in the second half. The Florida men’s basketball team hosted the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center in Gainesville, FL on Wednesday, January 24, 2024. Florida won 79-70. [Doug Engle/Ocala Star Banner]

Mississippi State Bulldogs guard Josh Hubbard (13) and Florida Gators forward Tyrese Samuel (4) go after a rebound in the second half. The Florida men’s basketball team hosted the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center in Gainesville, FL on Wednesday, January 24, 2024. Florida won 79-70. [Doug Engle/Ocala Star Banner]

Florida Gators guard Zyon Pullin (0) calls for an offensive change in the second half. The Florida men’s basketball team hosted the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center in Gainesville, FL on Wednesday, January 24, 2024. Florida won 79-70. [Doug Engle/Ocala Star Banner]

\Florida Gators head coach Todd Golden coaches from the sidelines in the second half. The Florida men’s basketball team hosted the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center in Gainesville, FL on Wednesday, January 24, 2024. Florida won 79-70. [Doug Engle/Ocala Star Banner]

Florida Gators head coach Todd Golden coaches from the sidelines in the second half. The Florida men’s basketball team hosted the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center in Gainesville, FL on Wednesday, January 24, 2024. Florida won 79-70. [Doug Engle/Ocala Star Banner]

Florida Gators head coach Todd Golden yells at his players in the second half. The Florida men’s basketball team hosted the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center in Gainesville, FL on Wednesday, January 24, 2024. Florida won 79-70. [Doug Engle/Ocala Star Banner]

Florida Gators forward Alex Condon (21) tries to grab a rebound in the second half. The Florida men’s basketball team hosted the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center in Gainesville, FL on Wednesday, January 24, 2024. Florida won 79-70. [Doug Engle/Ocala Star Banner]

Florida Gators forward Alex Condon (21) tries to grab a rebound in the second half. The Florida men’s basketball team hosted the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center in Gainesville, FL on Wednesday, January 24, 2024. Florida won 79-70. [Doug Engle/Ocala Star Banner]