Floundering Florida has more problems than just depth

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) Florida's issues go way beyond depth.

Yes, the Gators (7-6) have played short-handed much of the season, with guard Eli Carter, forward Dorian Finney-Smith, Duke transfer Alex Murphy and center Chris Walker missing games. Coach Billy Donovan's team, which lost four senior starters from last year's Final Four team, also has had, at most, just nine scholarship players available.

So bodies have been a problem.

But it's not that simple for the Gators, who have blown double-digits leads in the second half against Miami, Kansas and Connecticut, and have their most losses heading into Southeastern Conference play since the 1974-75 season. Florida begins conference play Wednesday at South Carolina.

Donovan says ''there is still a lot of basketball left to play. Things can change.''