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What could possibly justify not playing Riley Kugel tonight?

Discussion in 'Nuttin but Net' started by akaGatorhoops, Jan 10, 2024.

  1. akaGatorhoops

    akaGatorhoops GC Columnist VIP Member

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    I think he played less than 5 minutes, and I don’t believe he saw the second half. Considering how poorly everyone played, what could possibly justify not playing Riley?
    This is odd, though not unprecedented for Golden. A year ago, it was Kowacie who came into the season with huge hype… and similarly struggled. During a road stretch, Reeves was suddenly benched. Golden’s explanation was a bizarre sorta… “Oops, my bad. I got caught up in the game and kinda forgot about him.”
    It will be interesting to hear an explanation for tonite….
     
    Last edited: Jan 10, 2024
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  2. number1

    number1 GC Hall of Fame

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    He better be sick or injured, otherwise it looks rather silly for him to be sitting there on the bench watching the lead grow from 4 to 20.
     
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  3. audiogatorjim

    audiogatorjim GC Hall of Fame

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    Did Kugel start?
     
  4. BTEGator

    BTEGator GC Hall of Fame

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    Todd is way in over his head. Did the same thing last year with Reeves and Lane. He doesn't know how to manage his bench. No different looks on defense, no improvement with free throw shooting, etc.

    IMO...he won't be here long term.

    I'm waiting for the thumbs down, MCB.
     
    Last edited: Jan 11, 2024
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  5. akaGatorhoops

    akaGatorhoops GC Columnist VIP Member

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    no
     
  6. audiogatorjim

    audiogatorjim GC Hall of Fame

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    You think Golden blows a good lead in 2nd half in NCAA tourney against an inferior Oral Roberts (like Mike White)?
    I don’t.
     
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  7. 108

    108 Premium Member

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    I assumed something happened in the lockeroom
     
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  8. BTEGator

    BTEGator GC Hall of Fame

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    I was not a Mike White fan at the end, either.
     
  9. audiogatorjim

    audiogatorjim GC Hall of Fame

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    Well then, perhaps he got pissed at not starting. Golden played the John Wooden card about the bench being the great motivator.
     
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  10. audiogatorjim

    audiogatorjim GC Hall of Fame

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    I was supportive of him until that damn game!
    I need to let that game go!
     
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  11. crescent_beach

    crescent_beach GC Legend

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    You think a Todd Golden UF team makes the second round?
     
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  12. akaGatorhoops

    akaGatorhoops GC Columnist VIP Member

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    At the risk of igniting a mike white debate…, the question now is wether or not Coach Golden will have opportunity to blow a lead in the NCAA tourney.
     
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  13. audiogatorjim

    audiogatorjim GC Hall of Fame

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    Of the NIT? Nope, not this year. It’s so disappointing but season ain’t over yet.
     
  14. wci347

    wci347 GC Hall of Fame

    The transfer portal causes a change of identity of the team. And as we can see from the additions this year, Clayton and Puliin are ballahs. Hands down. Their leadership and takeover aggressiveness have relegated Richard and Kugel to spectators. I honestly believe that to salvage this team Aberdeen should come in and start for Richard who has done absolutely nothing in two conference games. His lack of production cost us the Kentucky game, and his timidness facilitated the blowout of this game. We can simply not afford to have a starter who gets major minutes and finishes with zero points and 5 points in 51 minutes of playing time.
     
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  15. audiogatorjim

    audiogatorjim GC Hall of Fame

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    I wouldn’t bet on it but the season isn’t done yet. You well know winning on the road in SEC is difficult. Tennessee got beat at Miss State tonight. Right now it looks dismal but I don’t give up easily and hope our team doesn’t either.
     
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  16. akaGatorhoops

    akaGatorhoops GC Columnist VIP Member

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    not giving up… I’m convinced this team has a lot of talent. But tonite was very deflating.
     
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  17. VegasGator91

    VegasGator91 GC Hall of Fame

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    He has to get there first. Currently 7-22 record against the Ken Pom top 100 as Florida HC. Not a recipe for NCAA tournament selection.
     
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  18. Ahab

    Ahab GC Hall of Fame

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    I'd have to re-watch but Kugel took a step back 3 off the dribble early in the clock and had another bonehead play that led to a turnover. We have to find the right role for him but Kugel has to play smarter to stay on the floor.
     
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  19. wci347

    wci347 GC Hall of Fame

    Unfortunately, you have a valid point. This is not an average team. There is real talent on this team if he would use it. I thought we had a three-point specialist. You can't tell me when a team is scoring 60 points on you in a half that you don't put your 3-point specialist in because he is not good on defense.
     
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  20. BLING

    BLING GC Hall of Fame

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    Coming into conference play I was hoping we’d just about sweep the home schedule and manage .500 on the road. Which would get Florida around 14 wins. Yes, that’s better than any expert predicted but I really thought our high scoring output wouid be hard to beat at home.

    Hopefully this team can still have a strong home record from here on out. My expectations have quickly been reset with this ugly loss. But still hopeful for double digit conference wins. Honestly it would be incredibly disapponting to miss the tourney yet again. This seemed like our best team at least since that last elite 8 run, but that was just on paper and the up and down out of conference. The D is looking incredibly soft against quality opponents, so hopefully they figure some stuff out.
     
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