From Orlando Sentinel
GAINESVILLE — Three games into SEC play, Florida coach Billy Donovan was dismayed at his team's lack of defense.
It had helped the Gators (14-4, 3-1 SEC) hold their nonconference opponents to less than 60 points per game. But that defense slipped even as Florida started conference play 2-0.
The Gators headed to Auburn on Thursday allowing 72.6 points in SEC games after suffering their first conference loss to South Carolina on Saturday.
Giving up only 40 points to the Tigers sure helped that average.
The Gators got closer to that nonconference average (59.5 points per game) with the second fewest points allowed in an SEC under Donovan.
Florida was allowing 72.6 points in conference games until Thursday's game dropped that average to 64.5.
"Our first three SEC games … I felt we were a better defensive team than we showed," Donovan said. "It was a difficult grind for us offensively, but our guys kept managing to play relatively good defense."
The Gators will need defense against Arkansas (12-5, 2-2), particularly in transition. The Razorbacks lead the conference in steals (9.4 per game) and turnover margin (+2.9).
They travel to the O'Connell Center on Saturday to face the Gators in a 8 p.m. game (Fox Sports Florida).
Quick hits
•An NCAA-best three Florida swimmers were named to the United States' 2011 FINA World Championship Team. Senior Conor Dwyer, junior Teresa Crippen and freshman Elizabeth Beisel will swim in Shanghai from July 24-31.
Florida coach Gregg Troy, who will coach the U.S. men's team at the London Olympics, will serve as an assistant for the men's team. Former Gator Ryan Lochte is also on the men's team.
