ARLINGTON, Texas — Scottie Wilbekin was in the trainer’s room getting treatment on his sprained right ankle when Shabazz Napier beat Florida at the buzzer on Dec. 2.
There was only a clock in the Gampel Pavilion room — no scoreboard — but Wilbekin knew the Gators were beaten by the explosion from the UConn crowd.
“I’d say that was the lowest point [of our season],” Wilbekin said. “It’s always disappointing when you lose close games like that, and if it’s a buzzer-beater, it’s heartbreaking.”
Wilkbekin is looking forward to getting another crack at Napier Saturday night at the Final Four, 30 wins later.
“It gives me a chance to go up against the best, and he’s the best in the NCAA,” said Wilbekin, a 6-foot-2 guard from Gainesville, Fla. “It’s going to be fun, it’s going to be exciting and challenging just because of all the weapons he has on offense.
“If anything, it gives myself internal motivation because he is such a good offensive player.”
Wilbekin has been lights-out in the tournament for the Gators, building on an already impressive regular season, averaging 16.5 points per game, 1.5 steals and has committed just two turnovers — none in the past two contests.
Wilbekin nearly left Florida after a much publicized rift with coach Billy Donovan, who suspended him indefinitely in June for breaking undisclosed team rules, the second such suspension in the past year.
Donovan told Wilbekin he could transfer and the coach would help him find the best fit. But that didn’t interest Wilbekin, who had the support of fellow senior starters Patric Young, Will Yeguete and Casey Prather.
“I could’ve easily chosen to transfer,” Wilbekin said. “I thought about it, but not for very long. I liked being at Florida.”
Instead, he learned from his mistakes, met Donovan’s requirements to return and upon rejoining the Gators following his five-game suspension to start the season, has led Florida to its best regular season in program history.
In fact, of Florida’s two losses — to fellow Final Four teams Wisconsin and UConn — Wilbekin missed one and was out for the final minutes of the other. Good thing he didn’t transfer.
“If you would’ve said to me we would go 18-0 [in the SEC], and then win the [SEC] tournament and then be in the Final Four, I would’ve been extremely happy,” he said. “I couldn’t have asked for a better season thus far.”