The Golden Way

Great read. Everyone looks like a genius from the mountaintop of a championship but you certainly see our results are a product of a vision, and a method to fulfill that vision.

 

IMO, it is a keen eye for underrated players (mainly HS) and then see what they do in their first stint(s). If they become better than the "experts" thought, you promote them to AA ball. Develop them to become AAA talent and maybe even a decent major league rookie. Signing the HS "wunderkinds" is not a very viable solution today. Ask Duke and Kansas.

That is unless you have SOOO much money to blow you need to "do something". Then go ahead and blow away. It's not going to hurt my feelings.

 

Nice article. Thanks for sharing

 

This win and articles like this are going to have a lot of schoolboy hoopsters eyes looking in UF's direction.

 

I'm not sure Duke is a good comparison. They got Flagg who almost took them to the mountaintop, although he might be a one and done.

 

Is that you Butch Jones?

The phrase "almost" is apropos. But basketball - especially Duke style - is not horseshoes and hand grenades. It may work for us great unwashed. But then, when did we types get a Flagg to sign with us?

 

Love how they said they were going to give Martin more to do on offense than he had previously gotten. An okay outside shooter, they put him in position to take it nasty to the hoop, where his strength and football attitude could make a difference. We aren't national champs without him.

 

We aren't national champs without a LOT of things, this not the least of which.

I sincerely strive to remember how etheral is the fact that we won...how many things had to work together across space and time... Not only do I more appreciate the accomplishment, I do not look to the future with any expectations except the opportunity.

 

Other player development highlights: Walter Clayton getting the greenlight as a score-first point guard. He got better and better at running the offense as the season progressed.
Will Richard steadily getting better over his three seasons, going from spot-shooting specialist to all-around playmaker, slasher, and defender.
Tommy Haugh going from his Charley Hustle role as a freshman to all-around guy on both ends. And still getting better.
Next season, watch for significant offensive improvement in Chinyelu, Condon, and Handlogten. If they stick around, I think both Alexis and Mikics will show us good things.

 

will love to see us blow out a team next year and have golden play our 5 bigs at the same time. Condo and Haugh could bring the ball up the court.

 

Six bigs! Gotta put Ollie on the floor.