Next year’s roster

It's hard to know what to expect of Condon's prospects. He has a ton of upside given where he is in his development. Good size, already a great defender, solid passer and ballhandler for a big, but he has never been a consistent scorer in the paint. Not sure how much that will play in his prospect of being drafted, but it will definitely impact his draft ceiling. Can't imagine he gets into the first round at this stage.

But I guarantee he gets a big NIL boost. That's the key to retention these days. If I am a betting man, I would guess that he probably declares to test the waters, then comes back.

 

This is close to what I would do, but I would get a star point guard from the portal who can really control the rock and distribute, and put Klavzar as the backup PG. Move Denzel to start at the two to give you a second ball handler and a "tall" 2 that can drive to the basket and defend at a high level. I woudl give Brown time backing up Denzel at the 2 and Haugh at the 3. Brown is listed the same height as Richard. Doesn't seem to have the same length, but has more leaping ability so could see him at the 3. So:

1: Stud portal PG, Klavzar
2: Aberdeen, Brown
3: Haugh, Brown/Freshman
4: Condo, Alexis, Micic
5: Chinny, Handles, Rioux

Maybe one of the freshman will surprise, but it is interesting to note that no freshman played in teh championship game yesterday. Not even one minute for either team.

I don't think Kublikas will ever see meaningful minutes due to his size, if he even sticks around.

We have a logjam of bigs, but maybe Micic and Rioux need another year. I could see using Rioux situationally.

Either way, if Condo and Haugh come back, and we can add a stud PG, I think we can get back to the Final Four just by dominating with our defense and rebounding alone.

 

Very interested in seeing what kind of wing we can get without offering a starting role (assuming Haugh & Condon return).

 

I'm thinking more of a 2/3 who can shoot. Maybe the San Fran guy, who scored 19 ppg on 40% shooting from the arc, or possibly even the Australian kid Hanshell. We'll see.

 

ESPN's Way-Too-Early for next season has UF at No. 19.

"It could depend on how Todd Golden rebuilds the perimeter."

Article makes a lot more sense than the Athletic.

Another ESPN prediction article says, "If the Gators reboot their backcourt and bring back Condon, they will start the season again as an SEC contender." (this one paywalled)

 

I think the NBA guys will advise him he's not quite ready to make the jump but that he's got the ceiling to make it eventually.

 

that process worked wonders for Clayton and Richard. Clayton came back an inspired man, and it paid off

 

at this point Haugh is a better NBA prospect than Condo, given his skillset and versatility, but I think both will absolutely benefit from another year in college....going after their junior years makes good sense, they just need to polish their games. Condo needs to really work on increasing his shot % around the rim. He has great footwork, but misses a lot of bunnies. Another year will help him slow down a little, not rush so much

 

Tommy H comes back and will compete for SEC player of the year.

I would not be surprised if Urban transfers. Need to find PT for Brown or he might dip as well. We have some “practice” players that may dip as well . They will not see PT with the Gators. Rouix will not see the court next year. Not even remotely ready. Although with a good off season, he may see a scholarship. Then again anything can happen and I could be 100% wrong.

 

How come nobody mentioned we're also gonna lose "Buckets"

 

I just can't see Rioux playing the kind of D we run. Seems to me he would fit better in a zone D as a rim protector or a situational offensive player. But I wish him the best of luck.

 

I see him staying and playing with his good buddy Hough. IMHO he needs more seasoning especially when it comes to scoring. I think he loves being a Gator.

 

I think Haugh would benefit from another year to improve his offense. As well as he’s played, he sometimes seems either reluctant or deferential on offense. As a featured player next year, i think he makes a big leap.

Condon could use some more development as well. Really need to add strength.

 

When you need some shot blocking and interior presence to end a close game you put him in...many teams tallest player is 6'8"...thats giving up a foot and a half with arm length (note not a short arm joke). I watched Tacko Fall shut down Zion and this guy is bigger. He is a situational guy who is so unique at that size I believe Golden will find spots he fills every game. You have to find a way to take advantage of that size in Goldens system.

 

If Rioux stays it would be very easy to find some uses for Ollie. The best one would be the opening tip. Other possibilities could be inbound plays under the basket. Defending inbound plays under the net if the shot clock is short. Changing the nets on the practice courts. Etc.

 

Haugh on CBS: "I'll get with my agent and test the waters but I'm pretty sure I'll be back."

It feels right that he will have a great off season and come back much improved and an excellent leader.

That pirrouette move at the basket on the runout was a beautiful finish.

 

What's the general report on Mikic? Serbian big kid, with experience? was he red shirted?

Klavzar has to work on his off the ball movement, he is so deadly when he catches and shoots, not really great off the dribble. Move him around to get open. Needs to obviously work on his defense, just couldn't trust him as we started to get deeper in the tourney. He could become a Lee Humphrey like player. Get him open looks.

I think Condin and Haugh come back --
we will be force in the front court with them and Chinyelu. and Micah off the bench again. Chinyelu with another off season, will become a beast. He came up huge down the stretch off the glass -- needs to just dunk it more vs trying layoups. Love his upside. Condin and Haugh could both become all americans, that is how good they can be.

 

Mikic red shirted. I really don't know what he brings

Klavzars highlights show a guy that can absolutely create his own shot. We didn't see that here obviously. I'm not sure if that's a function of design or confidence. We never even saw him try to shake his defender.

I agree he needs to move (or we need to move him) without the ball more. He also has to improve his handle and his defense. The latter two is why he disappeared from the rotation at the end.

 

If the Haugh and Condon return, next year's team will be in a significantly much better position than then 2007-2008 team post championship.

 

Mikic played in four games. I believe in basketball, any appearance burns the redshirt; the “four games“ exemption has only been for football. I think it was at least one reason Rioux never got even 20 seconds for the fans.
But I recall some discussion during the past year about implementing a similar rule for all other sports (or maybe about five full years regardless?) but don’t recall hearing on final action. Did the NCAA do something, and would it affect what happened the past season?
In the end though, probably doesn’t matter. Mikic seems a project (seemed currently limited in his limited time) and if everyone (or even most) comes back, being at the back end of a 5-7 man front court rotation, suggests he either progresses rapidly, or ends up someone else’s project.