Haugh's Absence: Gators Eye Strong Finish

0:00On March 4, Florida's top scorer, Thomas Howe, sat out the Gators' final home game Tuesday against Mississippi State. It was purely a precaution for his ankle, keeping their leading man fresh. Howe averages 17.1 points in six rebounds per game, putting him in the mix for Southeastern Conference Player of the Year. He first heard the ankle on early February at Texas A&M, but had suited up for big minutes in recent matchups. The fifth ranked Gators hold a 23 win, six loss record overall and sit at 14 wins, two losses in conference play. They've already secured at least the share of the regular season crown and can claim it solo with a victory here. Fans hope to see Howe one last time in the O'Connell Center, before he heads to the NBA draft as a projected lottery pick. The junior from Pennsylvania drew plenty of buzz, while Center Micah Handlocking stepped into the starting lineup for Senior Day. Florida's 9-game winning streak and defending champ status mean they're still in great shape, eyeing a strong finish to the regular season.