Florida center Micah Handlogten was taken off the court on a stretcher during the SEC tournament championship game against Auburn on Sunday afternoon in Nashville.
Just minutes into the game, Handlogten went down after landing awkwardly on his left foot and was seen in obvious pain. The sound of a bone breaking could be heard on the ESPN broadcast, and blood could be seen on they center’s lower left leg.
The sophomore held his hands over his face, and teammates surrounded him on the court. Trainers placed Handlogten’s leg inside an air cast as fans applauded the big man while he was stretchered off the floor.
Handlogten was taken to a hospital for tests, and following the game, Florida coach Todd Golden told reporters that Handlogten had fractured his lower left leg.
Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK
“You just hate to see it for him because he does everything the right way and works hard,” Golden told reporters. “That’s a super fluky injury you know that you don’t see very often in this game. Playing a big-time game like this, to go out that way, I just feel for him.”
Handlogten posted a message of thanks to Gators fans on social media for their thoughts and best wishes shortly after the game.
Gator Nation, Thank you for all of the love and prayers! It has helped more than anyone could imagine. Keep supporting the boys so we can make a deep run in the NCAAT! I love you all!
— Micah Handlogten (@MHandlogten) March 17, 2024
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Entering Sunday’s game, the 7-foot-1 center was averaging 5.5 points and 7.1 rebounds in 32 games this season. Handlogten had two rebounds in two minutes against Auburn before the injury.
Auburn went on to beat Florida, 86–67, to earn an automatic berth into the NCAA tournament.
