I think the difference is that, when Kugel is off, he can hurt you with bad shots or live ball turnovers. When Richard is off, he just doesn’t help you. He doesn’t commit turnovers and he doesn’t take a lot of shots, and the shots he takes are almost always open and within the framework of the offense.
He's so damn tantalizing, with his jumps-off-the-screen athleticism, that he appears to be quite the enigma. To me, I hope his crew is smart enough to ensure he sticks around for another year (or two). The Association is having an influx of non-American players with better fundamentals than American players. . . and our guy clearly has to work on this aspect plus allowing the game to come to him, and that's what I see him working on this year. We shouldn't be complaining, we should be cheering him on for seriously undertaking the task. I stand by my earlier statement: this is the most exciting Gator basketball team since the back-to-back title monsters. They may not wind up more accomplished but . . . my goodness are they exciting. Riley is Exhibit A. I pray he continues to grind his way forward as one of the best to ever wear the Orange and Blue.
Absolutely the worst I have ever seen using the glass. Not even close. His athleticism actually gets him in trouble, offensively and defensively. With that being said, his ceiling is higher than anyone on the team IF he can learn to control all of his athleticism. Sounds crazy, but the kid has as much potential as anyone that has ever played here. Have to hope he learns to control it and take advantage of it when needed. But that's JMO.
Coach is masterfully managing Riley’s minutes. Getting the best out of him while minimizing negative plays. That’s good for Riley and the team. If Riley gets it going, he plays more. If he’s struggling, he plays less. End result is a W on most days. Golden is doing a great job.
Your post Just stated what I was trying to express. I’m not so much critical of kugel, but how can we get him going so he can be a solid contributor which would make us a really deep team both in the front court and the back.
Sometimes he is like a black hole and he starts dribbling around and you know a bad play will result, and sometimes he makes a pass so quick it stops the defense dead in their tracks and opens up the offense. There is almost no in between with him. Like Anthony Richardson it is highlight or lowlight.
I actually think his game translates so much better at the next level because of all the space. He is great in isolation, he can get to the rim at will, his step back is a killer, he has NBA range, and he has no problem finishing when the paint isn’t congested. He just doesn’t have a very soft touch around the rim and hasn’t been able to develop a floater, runner, pull up, or something else in the paint when he can’t dunk. In any event, it always amazes me how we tend to atomize a guy’s game each year. Kugel is this year’s Myreon Jones, Kasey Hill, Boynton, Werner, whatever. Despite his struggles (or, better, our inflated expectations), Kugel is still scoring double figures off the bench, shooting over 40% from the arc in conference play for the second straight year, and has been our best defender in isolation ppp all season. That’s a complete net positive for a team trending upward. Does he have major holes in his game? Yes. Does he get out of control and make mental errors? Yes. Does he hurt the team at times more than he helps it? Yes. Does he struggle with consistency on offense? Yes. But he isn’t bad, or the staff wouldn’t be playing him. Nor is he hurting the overall success of the team, since his play the last few weeks has contributed massively to our upswing.
Kugel has at times impeded the offensive flow and chemistry of the team. Would like to see more assists when he draws opponents attention. His defense has not been solid either. Sometimes a liability on floor. Play has regressed this year for some reason. Perhaps due to better guard play by UF transfers? Loss of confidence? Let press clippings and analysts get in his head?
As a fan of the team, the season & Riley, I really hope for just sanity’s sake, we don’t create the negative narratives & assumptions we did regarding Anthony. While looking for ways to express our frustration’s & disappointments in Anthony, we sunk to unbelievably low-levels. Some Some posters tend to do that with our players, and it turns into a crap-show. Funny how we’ll throw a player, our player, under the bus like trash, and keep stepping on them. Riley has helped us win, more than lose games. When he’s having an off-day, luckily TG pulls him. Just because the NBA gave him a look should not raise our expectations to him being an All-American. He is a 20 something year old sophomore who’s still developing. Remember that, when he does not perform up to your expectations.
Bingo. Manage him as you would any bench player. When he’s good he’s great. When he’s not, he gets to watch. However, we really need the good Riley if we have any hope of a deep run, or any run for that matter
We need a consistent 40% from outside. Find more ways to get him open out there. Simplify it for him. Defend. Shoot from outside or pass, or take the open lane and pull up under control now and then for a 10 footer. He'll be really good next year wherever he plays.
I don't understand how Kugel can miss 2-6 ft shots so badly, including open lay-ups. Many are bad misses that had no chance to go in.
Rattler, there is something going on we simply don’t know much about. Kugel has lottery talent with a fragile ego. We had an athlete who played for Peck who often showed the same emotions as Riley, she transfers and was then the 6th overall pick in the WNBA draft. Riley may need a new coach to best suit his talents and I wonder if TG knows Riley is leaving and is trying to make the best of it. I’m going to throw this back to you. Thoughts?
These two statements don't jive. The fragile ego take is an assumption, unless you have some insider info (hmmm ). Other assumptions include - he's in a sophomore slump; he's not yet found his place in the quintet; he's got relationship or other social issues. There were also reports that he was dealing with illness recently. Perhaps you meant "he might be working through ego issues . . . " (even then, elaboration/support would be apropos).
I hope the final result is not the portal, but in today’s basketball, that’s likely to happen. I’m not upset with Riley or TG. I do hate that this might be the result. In TG’s offense, he needs to be a steady shooter and less streaky. I don’t think that happens, in season.
yes it would be nice to have the good Riley to make a deep run, but very much unlike last year we have so many more weapons now. I'd say a hot shooting night from Richard is even more important (and rebounding) to our team's success
Riley is very polarizing for some Gator fans. I know Shane Matthews is quite critical. Hopefully CTG keeps him focused and in control. He has demonstrated he can be a key contributor. UF will need productive minutes from him as we head into the SEC tourney.
