Talking points

"Who are those guys?" Kentucky fans must have been asking when this one started. Rupp Arena was rocking, and a UK team perceived as soft went right at Florida, jumping out 11-2. The Gators weathered that storm, answering with a 9-0 run. The battle was on. There were three ties before Florida went up 29-24, then UK responded with a 6-0 run. It was 31-31 at the half. UK surged out 45-38 before Willie Cauley-Stein picked up his fourth foul. Momentum changed with a 19-5 Gators run and 57-50 lead at 7:36. UK looked dead. Florida would not score again. Archie Goodwin sparked a UK rally and an 11-0 run down the stretch.

Telling numbers

■ There were a combined four field goals in the final 7:36.

■ UK won the rebounding battle and allowed Florida only seven offensive rebounds.

■ UK won despite hitting 39.3 percent from the field and 23.5 on three-pointers.

■ Florida started 1-for-7 from the field, 1-for-8 on three-pointers.

■ Cauley-Stein played only eight minutes in the first half (two fouls).

■ UK turned it over only four times in the first half.

■ UK started each half ready. Florida Coach Billy Donovan called timeout 48 seconds into the first half and 87 seconds into the second half.

Thumbs up

■ Give it to the Rupp crowd. They were ready for this one.

■ Cauley-Stein and Alex Poythress showed some inside muscle, combining for 20 rebounds.

■ No one was questioning UK's effort after this one.

Thumbs Down

■ Free-throw shooting continues to be a problem. UK made 13 of 22.

■ Kyle Wiltjer needs to pick it up on both ends of the floor.