Today, each of the four in-coming transfers took part in a press conference. I was really impressed by the kids. The overriding theme was gratitude for the opportunity. I’m very excited about these kids and this team. I think it will be a very fun and rewarding team to watch. Phlandrous Fleming Jr. Practice Update 10-19-21
One thing I took from Fleming's interview . . . . CMW is still working on filling the coaching staff. Say whaaaaaat? As a reminder, these are the new Gators via transfer: Phlandrous Fleming.....6'5".....Grad......G.....Charleston Southern Tuoungthach Gatkek....6'9".....Soph.....F......Trinity Valley CC Brandon McKissic........6'3".....Grad......G.....UMKC CJ Felder....................6'7".....Jr...........F......Boston College Myreon Jones.............6'3".....Sr..........G......Penn St Gatkek is listed at 172 lbs and will likely be a practice player. He might get some scrub minutes in the B games. If he's getting minutes in the SEC schedule, we're in trouble. Like everybody, I'm worried about front court depth. Either Jitoboh makes the kind of miraculous leap we've never seen under White, or we hold our collective breath whenever Castleton comes out. If Felder is good, he'll get the start at the four above Duruji, who can't play the three. So who starts at SF? Will it be Fleming? Reeves? My guess is Fleming, with Reeves being an important bench player, but I'm just spitballing. The best thing is getting a couple grad transfers. We've had some good success there in the past, so I hope the maturity of Fleming and McKissic pays off. Ready for hoops season!
I think Duruji is a starter. The three spots that I comfortably pencil in .. 1) appleby 4) duruji 5) castleton I’m not terribly worried about the 5. Very few teams have real depth at center. We know CC will play big minutes. The staff has been very optimistic about JJ, and I think we will see Felder slide over for a few minutes at the the 5.
Then can I at least be somewhat distraught about the 4? Point taken about the center position. This roster can't afford a front court injury. With Keyontae out, there's a compounding factor. I know we often don't have 13 scholarship players. Part of the concern are the unknowns with so many new players and the extent to which Jitoboh has developed.
Really?? So you think when the SEC picked us 7 and the AP poll gave us zero votes, thay was wrong? Also want to know is Key even close to being cleared or should he just go try to be a pro?
I am optimistic about this team as well. Do get the feeling we are underrated. Guess we'll find out soon enough.
I listened to the press conference for the four new grad transfers. Nothing but impressed with their character and how CMW finds these guys and is a prominant reason they are here. Each seems to have taken the hard road to get here and I'd be surprised if they turn out to be anything but solid players. Defense should be fierce this year and I suspect their offense won't be standing around as much.
This is an essentially an "all in" bet for Mike. I do hope this is the result. But he has added a LOT of new parts. If he falls short I am afraid this is the beginning of real apathy for the program. And as an aside (sort of), this presumes Johnson is going to be cleared? I don't know whether the overall talent is good enough for such lofty ideals if he isn't.
no - I am presuming Key doesn’t ever play again in a Gators uniform. I base my opinion on Florida having arguably the best center in the SEC, and a very good, tenured pg. Yes- I think Tyree will have a very good season. Equally important- I think Florida will be a witch of a defensive team. CC is a shot blocking machine, and now is buoyed by some very physical, rugged and experienced defenders in MicKissic, Fleming and Felder. Offensively, I think we will have a nice complement of interior scoring, with guys who can attack and shoot. And finally, it will be a team of grown men. Grown men who are all very athletic and pretty damn good basketball players ... and all of whom came here to win. I really like the makeup of the team.
Hope so. A few days ago, I watched on YouTube a replay of UF at UK from the year our guys went 38-3. That was a team of veterans, all of them reading from the same script. What really jumped out at me was the lockdown individual and team defense that group played. UK had a lot of talent but they had to work hard every possession to get a shot off. And the Gators won by 10. Here's hoping this season's Gator veterans all work from the same script and lock people down like that.
I am full of optimism and will enjoy what comes. If these new Gators are all able to step up their games, thrive in the SEC and mesh with new teammates in a new big time environment it will be a miracle. Intriguing for sure.
Unless I am missing something, I do not see how Reeves is not starting at the 2 guard position. So you have Appleby, Reeves, Duraji, Felder, and Castleton. I would be very surprised if that is not the ultimate starting 5 for this team. Unfortunately, after that, we have no front-court depth except Jitoboh. There is no one else who is on the roster who can legitimately play power forward after Felder. We get quality players, but probably not always the right positions that are needed for the team.
Reeves is a true freshman, so I'm not sure he should automatically get the start over a bevy of upperclassmen. If he earns it, he'll get it. Re: power forward, you only get 13 scholarship players. Most teams typically have 10 or 12 guys on scholarship. So not every position is going to be stocked 3 or 4 deep. That's why you get guys who can play more than one position. At power forward, we could go with Duruji, Felder, Reeves, Lane, Gatkek, or Castleton. Six deep. Seven, if we count Keyontae.
I'd be very surprised if that grouping is ever on the floor together, much less starts. Duruji and Felder are both 6'7 and will share time at the 4.
