With the stark reality of back-to-back NIT appearances looming, some Florida basketball players said they are approaching Wednesday night's game at Mississippi State and Saturday's game against Kentucky with a new sense of urgency.

"I would definitely say there's a sense of panic, a sense of urgency,'' sophomore forward Chandler Parsons said. "We understand what we have to do and how we have to win these next two games. . . . and what's at stake and how we have to prepare.''

Now if you're wondering why they didn't understand it before the loss against Tennessee on Sunday - or any any of the last four losses in the past six games  - even the players said they are at loss to explain it.

Still, they insist that while this year's late-season collapse may appear the same as last year, they are a much better team. They point to the fact that seven of their losses have been by a combined 22 points.

"That's the disappointing thing,'' sophomore guard Nick Calathes said. "We're better, but the results don't show it.''

Added Parsons: "There's obviously been letdowns on defense and every game there's something where we're not executing,'' Parsons said. "We really have to come together. It's the same situation as last year but you can't look at it  like that. You've got to take it one game at a time and try to win the game.''

Freshman guard Irving Walker said the Gators are feeling a sense of panic "in a good way'', and that there's no room for error now.

"I really feel that we must win these last two games,'' Walker said. "We've got to take it one game at a time, but we really need to win these.''