With all the turnover within the program coming into this season, the learning curve for this team should be steep and interesting to watch. After getting smoked by a very impressive UConn team, we had 7 days to practice going into the Ohio game where we looked a lot more cohesive on both sides of the court (I am being careful not to say "better" given the relative opponent quality). Now we've had another 6 days going into tomorrow's OU game, then another 8 days following before the we start conference play at Auburn. We may be entering the steepest section of this season's learning curve about now - I don't know if we win or lose against these next quality opponents, but I am very excited to see if we are able to take more significant steps forward with each outing given the practice time on the in-between. Hopefully it will give us a clear and positive glimpse into what this team will become toward the end of the year. Let's go!
I was reading yesterday Eric Fawcett's article about UF's continuity ball screen offense. There's a lot there to be absorbed, even by the upperclassmen, so there was bound to be a learning curve by all players, not just the newbies. I liked what I saw with a healthy Kyle Lofton against an okay Ohio team (the Bobcats took Michigan into overtime in Ann Arbor), so I'm optimistic about the Oklahoma game. One thing to watch tomorrow: OU's Porter Moser badly outcoached Mike White in our game last season. Moser is a highly respected coach, so I'll feel good about the direction of the Gators if CTG doesn't get circles run around him like Mike did.
I'd rather see this team and those going forward take their lumps learning how the coach wants the teams to play that constant change to eak out a few extra wins now at the expense of the future. I'm not expecting much in terms of wins over the next two or three years and I'm fine with that for now as long as the fundamentals and IQ are improving.
I think UConn is a sure-fire NC contender. It was tough seeing us get owned at every position, but we're just not on that level yet. With the recent losses, the SEC might be coming back to earth a bit and that's fine, as long as we can get enough wins to be bid eligible. It certainly looks better now than it did after FIU, WVU, and after UConn. The OK game is a big one. Let's get 'em!
I am not reading a thing into the Ohio game other than that we can beat up on teams that are outside the top 200 teams in the country. Let’s beat Oklahoma, and then we can talk about whether the Gators are improving.
We have a good roster right now and CC is gone after this season with no obvious replacement in sight. So, I would like to see us turn things around now. As for the near future, if no one leaves the program early, a fivesome of Kugel, Reeves, Richard, Aberdeen and Bonham at the 1-3, along with a slightly bulked up Fudge at the 4 could be really good. I would prefer Bonham coming off the bench unless he transforms into a facilitator first and scorer second. Kugel would be my first choice at the point. We are going to need a transfer portal big man to play the five.
About 5 years ago on the road in Portland against Duke with about 10 minutes to go in the game. Give or take a coach or two ago.
FSU isn't quite that bad and we beat them on their floor, but you do have a point. We haven't beaten anyone good so far. The closest we came was coming up short on a comeback versus FAU. FAU didn't play a very strong schedule but they are 10-1 with the sole loss at Ole Miss.
This team has NIT written all over them, hopefully. Certainly they have a chance to turn it around but its a long shot. I guess I would be happy if they would just play better by end of year than they are now. That would show an effort to improve. Unfortunately with so many transfers many teams fall apart when they know they have little to play for. But if they show improvement it could be a sign that next year could get better.
Well it appears the next step in that evolution was a nice improvement in Defense, and a regression on Offense. Not what I was hoping to see, but on to the next.
The defense was really solid early on, but, later on, it gave up a bunch of layups and wide-open 3’s.
I hate to bring this up but Myreon Jones shooting woes are beggining to take on Dan Werner proportions. I hate to see any Gator struggle but it's getting painful to watch. I hope he can break out of it but so far it just seems to get progressively worse. Terrible to see this happening to Jones. Perhaps the start of 23 will see him break out of the funk.
