Looking good - Haugh, Condon, Micah, Denzel, Klav, Isaiah, Alexis, Chin, the giant. We have the bigs, just need a couple in the backcourt.
I think Sam is home. Could be wrong but won’t be surprised by it either. Rioux is not getting anywhere close to meaningful minutes next year.. maybe as a junior. but.. we should be very very good again.. with a few portal additions and Ingram and Lloyd added to the mix.. we could be very deep and skilled.
The Athletic (pay site) has the Gators ranked #2 next year behind Purdue. Here’s their projected line up: Projected starters: Portal Player TBD, Denzel Aberdeen, Thomas Haugh, Alex Condon, Rueben Chinyelu Notable returners: Micah Handlogten, Sam Alexis, Urban Klavzar Other newcomers: Alex Lloyd, CJ Ingram (freshman) Men’s college basketball way-too-early Top 25: Purdue’s No. 1; Florida isn’t going anywhere
A lot will depend on whether anyone leaves early for the NBA. Condon and Haugh have started getting attention, although I will be surprised if they go. Post: Chinyelu, Condon, Haugh, Handlogten, Alexis, Rioux Wing: Aberdeen, Klavzar, Brown, Lloyd, Ingram Need more people on the wing, especially because two will be freshmen and another a sophomore that saw little playing time his first year.
That's very nice of the Athletic, but I think we will be a bit below that level - at least to start the season.
What we have now: EDITED: 1: Aberdeen, Klavzar, Kublikas 2: Brown, Klavzar, Lloyd 3: Haugh, Ingram 4: Condo, Alexis 5: Chins, Handles, Mikic 3 available spots right now. Back court is packed, but light on proven ball handlers. I'd expect some new names here. I think Haugh may split time at wing/4. Need help at the 4. Log jam at the 5. No way all those guys are here in November.
Agree - ESPN has us at #19. Most rosters will change considerably between now and when next season starts. We have no idea yet who of ours guys might leave and which portal guys CTG will bring to Gainesville, not how much impact the 2 freshmen will have.
Yeah it does seem a bit lofty, but if we do grab a portal star and keep everyone else, we should be a pretty good team.
I really want Condon and Haugh to declare, just so they can go through the workouts and feedback. That was so important for Clayton and Richard, and even Pullin the previous year. I have definitely come around on Haugh being a combo forward who can start at the 3. Would give us a length we haven't had there since maybe Devin Robinson. And Golden keeps saying his goal is to get long and to stay long. Reasonably certain we take a one and a wing in the portal. Think the one is close to done. Not sure about the wing.
I’d like to get an indication of how ready CJ is for SEC ball. If he can give 20 min at the 3, that would help a lot.
Physically, he is definitely there, and he can defend. But I'm just not sure his game is there yet. I think he can give us spot minutes, maybe like Aberdeen as a sophomore.
I'm somewhat worried about Condon. He's been projected as a first round draft choice in some of the NBA mock drafts. On the other hand maybe he will decide to stay another year with hope of elevating his draft status from late first round or second round to a possible lottery pick. He should also receive NIL compensation if he decides to stay so it won't be a complete financial sacrifice.
I would go 1: Aberdeen, Kublikas 2: Klavzar, Brown 3: Haugh, Ingram 4: Condo, Alexis 5: Chins, Handles
Like Golden did with Clayton, I believe he will give Haugh first crack at starting at the "3". This will also help keep Alexis in the rotation. I have to wonder if any of the players will move on with the promotion of two assistant coaches. Not sure that Kubilkas will ever get serious minutes here, but maybe he might at Campbell