We’re a Good Team

Gatorhead · Nov 12, 2024 at 12:56 PM

GatorPlanet said: ↑

Richard is taking it to the hoop stronger than he ever has before.
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His finishing around the rim has really improved, for sure. Defense as well.

jeffphillips21 · Nov 12, 2024 at 12:58 PM

SJB612 said: ↑

I'm trying to see how we are all that much different from last years team, which was really good and could have possibly won the SEC tourney and gone far in the NCAA tourney if Micah hadn't gotten hurt. Chinny seems maybe a little better defensively than Micah, but not much. I would probably still take Samuel over Alexis but I like Alexis. At this point, Martin and Pullin look like a wash. Martin with better D, Pullin with better control of the offense. Will has improved on D, Condon has improved on O, and Clayton is still a stud. Both Denzel and Haugh are likely to keep getting better all around, so hopefully everyone stays healthy and keep improving and we make a deeper run than last year. My main concern is consistent 3pt shooting and being able to defend big guys in the post.
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I think we’ll be fine in the post not just with Chinyelu and Sam but both Haugh and Condo look like they’ve made a nice sophomore jump. Our 3pt shooting will be there eventually.

I think the bigger change is that all our returning players have improved. Clayton, Richard, Aberdeen, Haugh and Condo all look more mature, polished and better all around. I think that could be what gets us over the hump

Gatorhead · Nov 12, 2024 at 12:58 PM

rserina said: ↑

Really hard for me to get a good read so far. First two games, defense and rebounding were not good, then we got that corrected. Shooting has been iffy. Competition has obviously not been at our level by any stretch. All that to say I just don't know what our ceiling is.

Here's what I can say at this point. Richard's performance so far defensively and on the glass, not to mention his conditioning, gives us three guards who can contribute in many ways. Condon is just terrific offensively and defensively. We have great depth and size in the post. Aberdeen is still sort of the x-factor for me: he can defend three positions, play on the ball or off it, create for himself and others, break the press, and get out in transition. When he is doing all of that without turning the ball over or taking bad shots, we have a balanced team on both ends of the court.

I just need to see us guard ball screens and the arc better and rebound both ends against good competition. I am resigned to the fact that this will be a streaky shooting team from the perimeter. But if we can get out in transition and execute early offense, get good ball action going to the rim, feed Condon in the high post, and let Clayton take over off high ball screens whe things aren't clicking, then we can still be very good offensively.
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I think you are short changing Martin. Especially his defensive presense. He brings an intimidator guard presense UF has not seen in many moons. Guy is a beast and I don't think scoring is his biggest attribute. Defense, steals, rebounds - I am really liking his overall stat line.

jeffphillips21 · Nov 12, 2024 at 12:58 PM

Gatorhead said: ↑

Imagine if Condon and Haugh can start knocking down some threes...............watch out!
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They both have good form so not out of the question!

Gatorhead · Nov 12, 2024 at 1:05 PM

jeffphillips21 said: ↑

They both have good form so not out of the question!
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Those two start gaining confidence and hoisting a few more, in the 30 - 35% range, would make this club very difficult to handle.

VTGator · Nov 12, 2024 at 2:04 PM

Gatorhead said: ↑

Those two start gaining confidence and hoisting a few more, in the 30 - 35% range, would make this club very difficult to handle.
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Especially considering they are both capable and willing passers. It could really open things up inside.

fox · Nov 12, 2024 at 2:10 PM

Gatorhead said: ↑

I think you are short changing Martin. Especially his defensive presense. He brings an intimidator guard presense UF has not seen in many moons. Guy is a beast and I don't think scoring is his biggest attribute. Defense, steals, rebounds - I am really liking his overall stat line.
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He is serious.

jeffphillips21 · Nov 12, 2024 at 2:57 PM

fox said: ↑

He is serious.
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there was a moment late when Martin was on the bench and Handlogten was celebrating a shot and grabbed Martin around the waste - Martin looked back at him like who TF is this and why are you grabbing me haha it looks like he always has an edge about him, which is what we'll need at times this season

rserina · Nov 12, 2024 at 3:07 PM

Gatorhead said: ↑

I think you are short changing Martin. Especially his defensive presense. He brings an intimidator guard presense UF has not seen in many moons. Guy is a beast and I don't think scoring is his biggest attribute. Defense, steals, rebounds - I am really liking his overall stat line.
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That’s why I said we have three guards who can contribute multiple ways—Clayton, Richard, Martin—and why Aberdeen’s consistency would give us four.

GatorPlanet · Nov 12, 2024 at 3:16 PM

Gatorhead said: ↑

Imagine if Condon and Haugh can start knocking down some threes...............watch out!
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Condon is actually shooting 50% from 3 so far this season. That won't last but it's a good start.
Haugh is just 1 for 5, but that won't last either. It'll go up. He's also 75% from the free throw line, which is a huge step up from last season.

exiledgator · Nov 12, 2024 at 3:19 PM

GatorPlanet said: ↑

Condon is actually shooting 50% from 3 so far this season. That won't last but it's a good start.
Haugh is just 1 for 5, but that won't last either. It'll go up. He's also 75% from the free throw line, which is a huge step up from last season.
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Need Condo to shoot better from the line. I think he's going to get a lot of opportunity there with his style of play.

GatorPlanet · Nov 12, 2024 at 3:36 PM

exiledgator said: ↑

Need Condo to shoot better from the line. I think he's going to get a lot of opportunity there with his style of play.
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What I notice when Condo goes to the line is that sometimes he seems all twitchy when he gets ready and shoots it quickly. It misses. When he collects himself, takes time, takes deep breaths, he makes it. Someone needs to point that out to him. Free throws are all about reps in the exact same way.

exiledgator · Nov 12, 2024 at 4:04 PM

GatorPlanet said: ↑

What I notice when Condo goes to the line is that sometimes he seems all twitchy when he gets ready and shoots it quickly. It misses. When he collects himself, takes time, takes deep breaths, he makes it. Someone needs to point that out to him. Free throws are all about reps in the exact same way.
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MBBcoachingstaff@maybe.com

Gatorhead · Nov 12, 2024 at 4:08 PM

jeffphillips21 said: ↑

there was a moment late when Martin was on the bench and Handlogten was celebrating a shot and grabbed Martin around the waste - Martin looked back at him like who TF is this and why are you grabbing me haha it looks like he always has an edge about him, which is what we'll need at times this season
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I specifically recall that....LMAO

jeffphillips21 · Nov 12, 2024 at 4:27 PM

GatorPlanet said: ↑

Condon is actually shooting 50% from 3 so far this season. That won't last but it's a good start.
Haugh is just 1 for 5, but that won't last either. It'll go up. He's also 75% from the free throw line, which is a huge step up from last season.
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yes both should revert to the norm at some point. Even 30% might be enough to keep the defenses honest, especially if they shooter higher % on open looks. Yes good to see improvement at the line too

SJB612 · Nov 12, 2024 at 4:57 PM

exiledgator said: ↑

I mostly agree with this. I'd add that we seem to be a better defensive team on a whole - or at least we're showing that we can be a better defensive team. I worry that we're not dominiating the glass like last year's team - but hopefullly a better defensive effort will equalize a decrease in rebounding advantage.

Richard at 22% from deep has to improve. Hopefully Martin gets his 26.7% up into the mid 30s. Tommy and Sam are a combined 1 for 10, but I'm A-OK with them continuing to shoot for now. Team leader in 3pt%? ... Condo! 2 for 4.
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I feel like we have better defensive parts, so hopefully, with time and a commitment to that side of the ball, we will see better team defense. I think we have already seen some of that with guys rotating to help and deflecting balls and getting steals on the rotations. Just need to get better at closing out on the 3 point shooters.

thenazz · Nov 12, 2024 at 4:59 PM

jeffphillips21 said: ↑

there was a moment late when Martin was on the bench and Handlogten was celebrating a shot and grabbed Martin around the waste - Martin looked back at him like who TF is this and why are you grabbing me haha it looks like he always has an edge about him, which is what we'll need at times this season
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Yeah, that was an odd moment. Handlogten needs less TV time, but it's not his fault.

GatorPlanet · Nov 12, 2024 at 6:11 PM

thenazz said: ↑

Yeah, that was an odd moment. Handlogten needs less TV time, but it's not his fault.
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He looks like he's bulked up, though. I hope it's muscle mass and not just flab from long inactivity while rehabbing.

GatorLurker · Nov 12, 2024 at 6:38 PM

I know that Grambling went to Ole Miss and gave them a game but maybe that says more about Ole Miss than it does about Grambling.

gatorstrackman · Nov 12, 2024 at 6:48 PM

jeffphillips21 said: ↑

Yes agree, watching Chins guard their big last night, there’s going to be a lot of times this year we’re happy we have his size down low. Sam looks and plays bigger than 6’9 too
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I think Chin has a wingspan of a 7’6” dude? He played really well last night.
Imo Condon was the star of the show

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