Is Handlogten Back?

the one thing he really adds is his offensive rebounding. He was one of the best in college basketball last year. I'd be interested to see if he has put on any size or added any wrinkles to his game, especially on offense. You can't teach 7'1.

 

A fairly comprehensive article on what we already know.

Florida center Micah Handlogten could return in 2024-25 after suffering compound fracture last March

 

Yeah that last part is the biggest thing if he comes back. While their efforts have been admirable, the rotation behind Chinyelu at the 5 just isn't true centers and leaves a gap in our defensive production when he goes out. Handlogten changes the complexion of the rotation completely and allows everyone to remain in their natural positions longer.
Its 100% a luxury and no pressure should be put on him. Its a luxury to have a true center in college basketball at all. Ask Billy D who struggled himself to recruit bigs. Having 2 centers while mindblowing and would probably cement this team as a top 3 national title contender, its 100% a first world college basketball problem and we should keep that perspective no matter what happens.

 

looks like he's put some size on, his upper body does not look like it's from a 7'1 235 pound frame

"He’s been practicing and playing five on five in practice," Golden said. "I mean he’s been going up against some really good SEC bigs every day in practice and we wouldn’t have allowed him to make that initial decision if we didn’t think he was ready. I think he could play."

 

This is better info than we had before the rumors started. Its great that he's been full go 5 on 5. That's more than doing drills that we heard before the season. Anything is better than nothing.

 

The announcers did mention during the game today that he was cleared to play yesterday. This was a game he could have put in some minutes if he was going to play this year

 

We really could have used him today

 

I know this is a joke but with Chin and Condon in serious foul trouble we might have needed him.

 

I see a big Jimmy Chitwood moment coming. Town hall meeting following a loss, Micah marches in, says I'm in if Coach stays. Tears, hugs. Little U of F wins the national championship.

 

Nothing new, but a nice summary of the situation by ESPN.

Gators center Handlogten cleared but status 'fluid'

 

Has to decide if worth wasting a year of eligibility. Also has to trust his leg again without thinking about it. Appears he has heeled quickly but rushing back can often result in reinjury. What happens when he comes down from a rebounds on an opponent’s ankle.

 

Not sure it adds anything new but here's the latest SI Article: Golden Clarifies Micah Handlogten's Status for Season

 

The other counterweight to the other side of that scale is a much more human one: special seasons don't come along that often and in the era of NIL any season might be the last with a teammate(s) you really like. I mean one doesnt have to look outside our own program to see what can happen when a team is coming off a final four season and/or championship and the dropoff that can happen even with good returning talent.

If he wants to play with a lot of the guys he came in with this might be his last chance on several levels. And I feel like he feels that they had something special going last year that his injury both hampered and made him miss out on continuing it. I really feel like something in him feels like this might be his best opportunity for "redemption". Most of his teammates are still on the squad, they are already on a special run, and its not like we'd have to find him minutes and we've got everything covered ideally. There is a clearly defined role for him as the backup at the 5 created by things left to be desired by the rotation behind Chinyelu

As I said above, no pressure should be put on him and its a very nice to have problem. But there's much more on the other side of the scale than meets the eye methinks

 

I’m not considering the myriad of reasons he could come back this year or not. But, I would think if he did come back this year, it could take him too long to get back into game ready condition, physically and mentally, many weeks or longer. I would not think any simulation of game conditions in practice scenarios would prepare him for real game conditions, thus wasting the exercise in all parts. Maybe I’m wrong but it’s just a thought.

 

No, they burn their redshirt by playing in just one game.

 

We get every team’s best game. And generally guards and swingman have done more damage to us than Bigs. Our two losses came against teams where guards and swingman had all world games.

I agree with you that we can become more physical in the paint if we use Handlogten and Mikic. That would be ls five us six Bigs. But then playing time would become an issue and that disrupts chemistry.

 

If I was him I would absolutely burn the redshirt, but I'm not him. The team and rotation is already set, so the idea would be to come in for a few minutes at a time. After a couple games he/we might find him making some nice contributions and ready to increase to maybe 10 or 15 minutes a game. He would be better in a half court game than running the press and getting out in transition, at least at the start - but why the hell not come back and see what you/he can do. You only live once and this could be a special year. He may have an extra bit of motivation to come back after exiting the playoffs early last year. A bit of overdue redemption.

I think a few minutes a game to start with a guy that played with 5 major rotational players last year will be less disruptive than someone who doesn't know the system nor has on-court chemistry with the team. He has all that. Why not give it a shot.

 

Maybe he’d like to play 2 full years can’t do that if he plays now

 

This is a year he may regret sitting out if he’s ready to go.

They’re saying they’re gonna give everyone a fifth year of eligibility now anyway.

 

I'm with you. My only reservation is him defending high screens and pick and rolls. If I recall that was some weakness we had trouble overcoming which could affect the chemistry we need. Castleton struggled as well earlier but got better. Chinyelu has been doing better than I expected and Condo is covering the court nicely. Micah won't have the quickness but he certainly has the reach. I hope he comes back because he brings so many more advantages and adds one more nugget for CTG to cash in on when needed.