OGT-Auburn @ Florida 2/19/2022 2 pm

Not Gator teams …

 

Twice we just throw it up for grabs . Got to find a guy that can make smart entries

 

Didn’t notice if he is a fast dribbler

 

Lightning fast from what I hear.

 

From watching the game, he handled the ball better than what I expected. He plays lock down physical defense and is put on opposing players who are bigger than he is, more often than not. He is part of the resurgence in our stifling defense which Auburn had seventeen turnovers! He is beginning to look at scoring some. If he could start hitting threes, we might surprise.

 

He plays good defense. I wouldn't say lockdown. He is looking to score a little more, but he doesn't have a great offensive skillset if I'm being generous. Needs to do a lot of work in the offseason. For his height, he is well below average skill level offensively. Not bagging on him, before anyone says I am. Lane made it much farther than I ever dreamed to make it in basketball, but that said he needs to get serious about raising his offensive output next year.

 

He is physical strong and fast. He is still learning the speed in the SEC and what it takes to get on the floor. It is night and day from his freshman year. CMW doesn’t teach an offense other than dribble drive. This plus not getting any time on the floor has hendered his progress. His coaches know now he can come in and stop people from getting to the hole. That in itself has helped the Gators. He will learn to go to the basket with an opening and finish on a consistent basis. Once he gets more consistent with the drive, he can in practice keep working on his shot. His shot from inside 12’ and by working on the shooting in the off season, The inside drives and shots around the basket, maybe even using the glass would keep him on the floor. His three point shooting, he needs a shooting coach to teach him letting the ball come off his fingers and use momentum when he gets to his favorite area to shoot. He is trying hard and helping us, this has been a team learning Niels is an important teammate, just like anyone else on the bench. It has made us a better team and more competitive. Just be thankful he is starting to get it and will improve. He was hesitant to shoot against Auburn, but his confidence is growing and the coaches probably know physically if he can put these offensive skills together, the sky is the limit.
CMW makes you earn time on the floor, he. has. earned. it! Now he will be in the rotation, we are already better and he will get better. A tough kid with pride! I am all in.

 

Seems like Mike values the ability to make the three in his offensive sets vs motion and cutting. Lane’s best offensive skill coming out of high school was as a slasher.

Similar to Lewis last year, also a slasher…but poor three pt shooter, there’s not a lot there for him to do, this season. That’s a summer development project. His best bet, right now, is to help on the offensive glass when he can and get put-backs, or just help us retain possessions.

It’s tough to ask a player, especially one just starting to crack the rotation, to dribble well & shoot the three.

Duruji also seems to have a similar problem. He’s a quick twitch, straight line driver, with so-so handles. His three pt shot….he makes a few, but not his strength.

Right now, I don’t want Lane shooting threes, unless it’s at the end of the shot clock. He’s adding value, even if the points don’t reflect that. It’s not anything dominant, doesn’t show up in the box score, but he’s helping.

We’re a team that HAS to play defense to win. While we hit a few Saturday, it’s not our strength.

 

I found these highlights on YouTube but not the full game

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=florida+vs+auburn+,+replay,+full+game+

The game replay is 11 am Monday 20220221 on the SEC network

 

Replay is on right now!

 

It was great watching the replay.

Respect to Fleming for his contributions too. It was his defense that knocked the ball away from Green's pass to Kesler on the last play of the game that sealed it.

This was a team win and I couldn't be happier for our entire coaching staff and all our players. They worked their butts off to get that win.

 

One thing interesting about watching Auburn is that their offensive scheme is about as static as the Gators offensive scheme. On-ball screens and one-on-one plays while 3 guys sit around and watch. Granted that Auburn has a ton of talent on the team, but their offense is tailor made for the Gators' defense. That's why the Gators have the win and had a competitive game on the road against Auburn. Also, that last play of the game by Auburn was pathetic. Too have the guy who might b e the #1 player in this year's NBA draft stand in the corner and watch a little guard dribble the clock out was unreal.

 

UF Fined For Storming the Court in Victory Over Auburn Tigers - Sports Illustrated Florida Gators News, Analysis and More

 

UF fined? I guess that will eat into the much hoped for Mike White buy-out that many posters here want.

And how much does the AA have to pay for the football coach buyout?

 

So a $50,000 fine averages out to about $1,000 per student that rushed the court.

 

Not that I want to spend a lot of time complaining about a great win but...

The stolen inbound passes were pretty pathetic, but various guys' attempts to get open looked pretty pathetic also. We've got several guys quick enough that if they aren't double-teamed (like Appleby usually is), it seems like they should be able to get some separation for a pass.