The Florida Gators men’s basketball team came into its two-game stretch with Georgia and LSU with the opportunity to assert itself as a contender for the SEC’s second-best team. But after two thorough beatings in both games, including a 79-61 thumping at the hands of LSU (14-4) in the O’Dome, the Florida Gators (10-8) find themselves in place they haven’t been in a while – looking up at the SEC competition.

LSU beat the Gators tonight with ball movement and a deadly 3-point shot, making 61 percent of their attempts from behind the arc. Overall, LSU shot 52 percent from the floor, and made 17 of 18 of their free throws. It’s the seconds straight week the Gators have given up more than 50 percent shooting to their opponent. The loss ends the Gators 20-game home SEC winning streak.

Meanwhile, the Gators put forth another sluggish offensive performance, shooting only 38 percent from the floor, including a paltry 3 of 16 from the three-point range. The Gators trailed by 5 points at the half and while they stayed close throughout the second half, with six minutes remaining, Florida was trailing by double digits and never made a serious run on the Tiger lead.

“They have to go through this to figure out how good they want to be and how hard they’re going to fight,” coach Billy Donovan told the Gator IMG Radio Network after the game. “I cannot get them to do the things we need to do. I wonder where is there mind sometimes? They’re wrapped up in themselves and how it is for them. They have to put their foot down, say enough and realize they have to do this collectively.”

Alex Murphy and Dorian Finney-Smith both scored 10 points, but guard Eli Carter missed all three of his three-point attempts. Overall, the Gators couldn’t hit the outside shots and their efforts to drive to the basket were equally as futile.

Donovan said the Gators needed to get more shots for Michael Frazier II, who scored only 8 points on 10 shots from the floor. The Florida Gators men’s basketball team also need to get better pressure on opponents point guards, who tonight were able to find open shooters behind the arc all night long.

The Gators get a few days rest before traveling to Ole Miss on Saturday for a 6 pm game. They then travel to Alabama next Tuesday. The results of these games will show whether the Gators are in the middle of the SEC pack – or sinking to the bottom.