As for the thread title, I think every new coach favors "his guys" to a degree at least initially. A prime reason for a lot of turnover in years 1 and 2 of a new coach.
On 2 consecutive inbounds plays under our basket, Felder didn’t move an inch. Maybe his effort is hurting his minutes.
With NIL and the transfer rule changed only a handful of teams in the country can build only, through high school recruiting. The game has changed. It's good our coach recognizes it. His primary strategy is to pick off quality Freshman/Sophomore transfers who have already proved themselves in the college game with 2-3 years of eligibility remaining. Examples: Fudge- 3 years remaining at date of transfer Bonham- 3 years Richard- 3 years
If these guys stick it out and improve year to year it could be a good strategy (at least attempting to get some cohesion, where 1 and dones and 5th years offer none). It remains to be seen if most/all of them actually do stick around. In this “new” world of college sports there are guys on their 3rd and 4th school already. I like filling the roster in this way provided his guys mostly stick, but I hope he still tries to recruit traditionally as well. If you lose a guy after his freshmen year, you can try to recruit a soph or junior with multiple years left. If you solely recruit guys who “proved” themselves at a mid-major level or even won awards, that doesn’t mean they will by all-sec or even a legit starter. It’s still an adjustment and some guys will disappoint in not being able to bring it all the time against high major schools. The “bust” rate in that regard probably isn’t that much worse than the top 150 recruits. The main benefit is maybe finding the late bloomers or totally under the radar players who weren’t rated out of high school. With the easier transfer rules more of them will want to move up a level within having to sit out.
Not athletic enough currently and no legitimate shooters to scare anyone. TG is a risk. Not like he dominated at San Fran. Does not look the part. Young, skinny and baby face. Not like we hired a damaged good coach that would immediately improve us like Pitino or Pearl. If we did. Sean Miller was the obvious hire. Other programs take that risk. We seem to always hire the up and comer that had not done anything in the tourney. Still think there were better P5 coaches we could have gone after
I'm assuming this is meant to be a shot at Lofton. If so, then unfortunately for your argument, Lofton has a 2.79 assist-to-turnover ratio, making him 42nd in the country, or top 12% of starting point guards. Or top 6% if we consider that most teams have 2 point guards. For further perspective, 2:1 ratio is considered very good, and 3:1 is considered elite. His field goal percentage is an eyelash under 38%, which is not bad. 30% on 3s, which could be better, but is what we knew coming in. 81% on free throws, which is good. All this, while playing through injuries. I'm quite happy with Mr. Lofton.
I really like Lofton. I think our issues are chemistry No true outside scoring threat No 2nd option offensively Big one- lacking certain defensive fundamentals. Some basic stuff missing. I’m concerned by ability to stop dribble penetration, identify shooter/scorer, ability to contest guard 3 pointers. Lots of ability to improve here. I think there is definitely talent, just needs to come together.
I do like Bonham and Richard. And it is too bad Lofton is a senior. Fudge is a gem. You put him, Kugel, Reeves, Aberdeen, and a big man on the floor and it’s a wrap.
why would you bring a man to a major program to come off the bench? The biggest transfers for us have been starters- Castleton, Hudson, Rosario, and Fudge. Yes those other transfers were valuable but they were not game changers. The four I mentioned were or are all SEC caliber performers. Blacksheer was a colossal disappointment.
Canyon Barry was SEC 6th Man of the Year. Also set the UF record for consecutive free throws made. Also made a game-saving shot block vs. Wisconsin. Hardly a stiff. Blackshear was playing on an injured foot all season. Still was one of our top players that season.
You rate the coach on age, girth, and boyish looks? From Foley's tenure forward, the University of Florida has refrained from hiring damaged goods coaches. That's a good thing.
He changed the game against Wisconsin, helping the Gators get to the Elite 8. Canyon Barry's LeBron-esque block is the great play that nobody will remember
Doesn't it depend on the pedigree of the player and the need of the program? Sometimes you bring in a player for depth / to fill a spot of need. If I remember correctly, Dorian Finney-Smith played 6th man quite a bit at the start of his time at Florida. I agree that Fudge can potentially be a gem. Hudson and Rosario were talented, but not sure they were among our biggest transfers. Agree on Blacksheer, esp. given the excitement around his transfer to FL.
