KNOXVILLE – The Southeastern Conference’s most efficient point guards will square off Wednesday when 19th-ranked Tennessee hosts Florida at Thompson-Boling Arena.
Florida senior Chris Chiozza averages an SEC-best 3.4 assists for every turnover while Tennessee sophomore Jordan Bone is second at 2.9 this season.
Tennessee’s Jordan Bone (0) shots a layup during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Kentucky, Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2018, in Lexington, Ky. Tennessee won 61-59. (AP Photo/James Crisp)Perhaps Chiozza’s career arc offers a path for Bone, who has had his minutes decline over the last three games.
“He’s constant pressure, just moving the whole time, keeps the ball moving,” Tennessee coach Rick Barnes said of Chiozza. “He’s been around. He’s played a lot of basketball in this league and had a lot of success.”
Chiozza is more important to the Gators (17-8, 8-6) now than at any point in his four-year career. The Memphis native has gone from averaging 22.9 minutes per game his first three seasons to averaging 32 minutes per game this season while reaching a career-best assist-to-turnover ratio.