Gator Country

When the season began, Billy Donovan thought the Gators would be improved if for no other reason, adequate depth. After struggling through last year with only nine scholarship players, Donovan had 12 on scholarship to start this season plus he had Georgetown transfer Vernon Macklin to mentor his three young big men. Nine games into the season, the Gators are minus Jai Lucas (transfer), Adam Allen (knee) and Eloy Vargas (recovering from ankle surgery), leaving Donovan to work with a short bench once again.

The Lucas transfer was a huge shock to Donovan, particularly since Lucas had started all 36 games of his Florida career. That has opened the door for freshman Erving Walker to back up Nick Calathes at the point and the 5-8 New Yorker is starting to show why he was considered the best long range shooter in the country last year.

Allen, who has a deep bone bruise in his knee, had an MRI about 10 days ago that came up negative. He tried to work out last week but the day after he was so sore that he has not been able to work out since. Allen’s slow recovery has made him a likely candidate to redshirt. If Allen doesn’t improve enough to work out and contribute within the next two to three weeks, Donovan will go ahead and redshirt him. The 6-8, 225-pounder said Wednesday that he’s extremely disappointed. Allen had put together an exceptional summer and was expected to be one of Florida’s most improved players this year.

Vargas might be ready to contribute at least a few minutes within a week or two. He has started participating in full practices with the team and although he’s still not physically strong (bone spur surgery in the summer on his ankle caused him to miss four full months), he’s improving to the point that it is expected that he will be able to contribute at least a few minutes per game once the SEC schedule starts. At 6-10, Vargas will give the Gators much-needed height. He’s a skilled offensive player who isn’t afraid to bang, even though he is a skinny 215 pounds.

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About the author

Franz Beard

Franz has been writing sports for 42 years in various outposts like Gainesville, Jacksonville, Savannah, Richmond and Miami. He's been writing for Gator Country since 1999 and has served as the site's managing editor since 2004. He is also a contributing writer to Gator Country Magazine.

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