Gators' 3-Point Woes Stall Championship Hopes

The Florida Gators' 2025 basketball season has encountered unexpected difficulties, stemming from a critical inability to consistently convert open three-point attempts. This shooting slump has overshadowed the team's strong frontcourt presence and has become a major concern for head coach Todd Golden. The team's struggles are particularly evident in recent performances, where missed opportunities from beyond the arc have directly impacted game outcomes.

The primary culprits behind Florida's three-point woes appear to be transfer guards Xaivian Lee and Boogie Fland. While Lee has shown slight improvement, Fland has been a significant disappointment, notably going 0-6 from three-point range in a recent game. Fland's overall shooting percentage from beyond the arc stands at a mere 20%, with Lee not faring much better at 26.7%. This lack of reliable outside shooting is a stark contrast to the team's performance in the previous season.

Coach Golden emphasized that shooting is the team's most pressing issue and believes it is addressable. The Gators, currently 9-5, have failed to reach double-digit three-pointers in 12 of their 14 games. This cold shooting significantly hinders their analytics-driven offensive strategy, which prioritizes perimeter scoring. To capitalize on upcoming conference opportunities, Florida must urgently improve its shooting efficiency, especially on open looks, to overcome these deficiencies.