GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida’s last meeting with UW-Milwaukee came during the glory days of Gators’ basketball.
The latest was another nice step toward national relevance.
The Gators followed their return to the Top 25 with a convincing 81-45 victory against the Panthers Thursday night at the O’Connell Center.
“It would have been disappointing if we did not come out with intensity,” coach Mike White said. “I’m very proud of the approach. We played to a pretty strong identity.
“Play like you practice and good things happen.”
Coming off Sunday’s rout of Florida State to end a seven-game skid in the series, No. 24 Florida (3-0) did not let off the gas and again rode the efforts of big man Colin Castleton. The senior from DeLand followed up his double-double against the Seminoles with 19 points and 10 rebounds.
Castleton set the tone with six quick points as Florida staked a 12-2 lead.
“We came out of the gate firing on all cylinders,” he said.
Castleton might have stolen the show from ballyhooed Milwaukee freshman Patrick Baldwin Jr.
The Panthers, 22-point losers during the second round of the 2006 Gators’ national title run, were 16.5-point underdogs. But Baldwin, the head coach’s son and potential NBA Draft lottery pick, was the game’s most high-profile player. His presence inspired 39 scouts from 22 NBA teams to make their way to the Gainesville.
The Gators held the talented 6-foot-9, 220-pound wing to just 13 points on 6 of 15 shooting, to go with three rebounds, two assists, two blocked shots, two steals and three turnovers.
“I thought collectively we were pretty good trying to limit some of his touches,” White said. “He’s got 2-guard skill and feel at 6-9-ish — got a big strong frame with length. Has a really high basketball IQ. He’s good at a lot.
“He’s a heck of a talent.”
Milwaukee (1-2) could not match the Gators’ depth and Castleton’s dominance.
Point guard Tyree Appleby scored 12 of his 14 points during the second half as the Gators left the Panthers in the dust. Forward Anthony Duruji chipped in 12 points and seven rebounds.
Duruji appears to be the Gators’ most-improved player, but Castleton also has made tremendous strides to lead the way.
“It gives you a chance on most nights,” White said. “He’s a talent himself. He’s really settled in these last couple of games — playing with confidence.”
The 6-foot-11 Castleton’s draft stock surely went up Thursday. Yet, he was most pleased the Gators’ did not have a let down following the FSU win.
“That was the biggest thing,” he said. “That’s all we talked about, just keeping that same mentality. Playing to our standard, that’s the biggest thing.
“The bar’s really high.”
