Charles Barkley criticizes use of pressure during Florida’s final defensive possession
By Ethan Stone
Published:
Charles Barkley was not a fan of Florida head coach Todd Golden’s decision to use pressure on the final defensive possession of the Gators’ season.
Leading by 2 with 9 seconds remaining, the Gators decided to pressure Iowa right out of the inbounds, opting for a more aggressive approach, perhaps in hopes the Hawkeyes would turn the ball over in a tense situation.
Barkley, when speaking about the coaching decision on the Dan Patrick Show on Monday, recalled a conversation he had with CBS analyst Clark Kellogg as the play was about to take place. “Clark says to me, ‘you think they’re (Florida) going to pressure?’ I said, ‘hell no, they’re not gonna put pressure’… if you put pressure, you’re just going to start a fast break and give up a wide open 3 more than likely.”
Below is a look at the full play.
So, what would Barkley have done?
“Well, I was saying, well you’ve got the lead, why would you pressure? Just keep the ball in front of you, make them make a shot. If you press, they’re just going to start a fast break… It was just one of the worst defensive calls, it was just a bad play. And then he compounded it after the game and said we were going to foul. That makes it even worse!”
Here’s a look at Barkley’s full comments on the final seconds of Gators vs. Hawkeyes.
Ethan Stone is a Tennessee graduate and loves all things college football and college basketball. Firm believer in fouling while up 3.
