INDIANAPOLIS – Florida is heading to the second round for an eighth straight NCAA Tournament appearance — and with arguably its best player on the bench as a de facto assistant coach.
Colin Castleton scored 19 points and grabbed 14 rebounds, Tre Mann hit a step-back 3-pointer with 23 seconds left in overtime and the seventh-seeded Gators held off No.
10 seed Virginia Tech 75-70 in a first-round game on Friday. Florida was cheered on by Keyontae Johnson, who has supported and inspired his teammates from the bench since his return from a scary medical episode.
Johnson collapsed on the court during a game in December and was hospitalized, forcing him to sit out the rest of the season.