Gators Win Game, Lose Yeguete
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida forward Will Yeguete limped across the floor and then motioned to the bench.
He was done — for the game and probably for the year.
Florida (No. 11 ESPN/USA Today, No. 12 AP) used a hot-shooting night and a huge second-half run to overcome 18 turnovers and beat Auburn 63-47 on Tuesday night. But the victory might have been costly for the Gators (22-6, 10-3 Southeastern Conference).
Yeguete, one of the team’s best rebounders and the heart and soul of coach Billy Donovan’s full-court press, broke his left foot midway through the second half against Auburn (14-13, 4-9).
X-rays confirmed the severity of the injury after the game.
“We’ve got some health issues, and we need to get back healthier than we are right now,” Donovan said.
It probably won’t happen. Donovan said the broken foot likely will sideline Yeguete for the season. And that would be a huge blow since Yeguete is arguably Florida’s most versatile player.
“There’s going to be some things that we’re going to need to practice if it is broken and he is done,” Donovan said. “Now, it’s not how do you get by for a week or a couple games. Now it’s like, ‘OK, we’re dealing with this for the rest of the season.’”
With Yeguete out indefinitely, the Gators can only hope to continue shooting like they did against Auburn.
Kenny Boynton scored 20 points on 7-of-11 shooting, including 6-of-9 from 3-point range.
Florida shot 53.5 percent from the field, including 11-of-21 from 3-point range.
