Florida Gators Basketball: Feeling the Pain

“It’s just not good enough right now.”

With that one statement from junior Michael Frazier II, we could adequately sum up not only Florida’s Friday night game against Louisiana Monroe but the season to date as well.

The Gator basketball team currently sits at 2-1 on the season, but could just as easily be 1-2 after a nail biter 61-56 overtime win versus the University of Louisiana Monroe. Players that shuffled into media availability had a look of almost “how did that just happen” and after a game that nearly slipped from their fingers multiple times it was understandable. A win is a win, and each made sure to point that out, but there was still that palpable feeling that they were not happy with the way that win came.

It came in spurts with grit and through some unlikely characters. With Dorian Finney-Smith out with a hairline fracture in his hand, Eli Carter sporting a new boot on his left foot and Devon Walker spending the season in warm-up clothes, the Florida bench looked short. The starting lineup itself included a freshman, a walk on and a transfer. Not exactly ideal for the number 8 team in the country.

The game couldn’t have started worse for the Gators. After losing tip-off, Warhawks Tylor Ongwae made an emphatic start with a dunk. He then turned around and was halfway back up the court before Florida players had picked their jaws up off the floor. The Warhawks held onto the lead until 13:26 was left…in the second half. There Jacob Kurtz was able to complete a layup that gave the Gators a one point lead.

Kurtz was the answer to several questions Friday night, and he answered them all with flying colors. In turn he gave Billy Donovan some peace, knowing he could insert the walk-on into the lineup in place of the injured Finney-Smith.

Donovan actually called out Kurtz after the season opener, saying he wanted him to stop playing like a walk-on who was just happy to be there, and more like a guy there to do a job. He did his job Friday, finishing 2-5 in 36 minutes, and grabbing 13 rebounds. It’s on the boards that he really made his presence known both on the court and on the bench.

Long praised for his basketball IQ, Donovan took time late Friday night to expound on all that is the prowess of Jake the Snake.

“He was awesome tonight, he was awesome. He really was great. He made a couple of great plays. He threw that back cut pass to Horoford that put us up by two. Kept a couple of rebounds alive, got us some extra possessions, tipped the ball off a guys hand…he gets it. He’s the one guy on the team that really really gets it. He understands what this is all about and he’s got a real clear-cut understanding of what goes into winning.”

Center Jon Horford agrees, even saying that Kurtz is the reason Florida’s record is what it is.

“We’d probably have two losses,” Horford responded, when asked where the team would be without Kurt.

“He’s probably been our best player.”

There were other guys that still stepped up on Friday. Chris Chiozza for example, doing it all over the floor from shooting the perimeter, to driving inside, to incredible defense and even going up to block shots against a 6’7” forward. Chiozza is a generous 6’ according to the media guide.

Chiozza’s best moment came at halftime, when he hit a buzzer beater to pull the Gators within two heading into the locker room. Oh and it was his birthday.

Michael Frazier led the team in scoring with 21 points, ten more than the next closest guy. But his most valuable moments came in the times that don’t show up on stat sheets. Such as when Chris Walker was on the floor, making his much anticipated second debut for the Gators. Frazier got the pass and went to the top of the key. Then he just stopped, gave a “Sky” (Walker’s nickname) in a tone that said “What are you doing boy” and told him what spot to move into. Why is this helpful? He’s becoming that vocal guy on the court that Donovan has been wanting him to be.

There was Jon Horford, consistently calling huddles whenever he sensed the team getting distracted and offering them tidbits such as “You don’t foul a driver.”

And then there was just actually finishing with a win.

“I think we did a good job of closing it out after we regained the lead,” Frazier said in post game.

“Going into overtime we did a good job of fighting. It wasn’t pretty but we got results.

For Donovan, there’s still plenty to work on as the team gets ready to head to the Bahama’s.

He says 61 points was probably a lot for this team.

The three-point defense was abysmal, giving ULM 36% from beyond the arc.

And the “arrogance” or sense of entitlement that Donovan is worried comes with being the Florida Gators, fresh off a Final Four run.

“What I don’t want to see is, there’s this arrogance that we’re really good, and we’re not. And maybe it takes moments like this to, I think there’s a difference between humility and a lack of confidence. They should have confidence in their ability but a level of humility that when they put a uniform on, go across the lines and compete that on any given night if I don’t come ready to play, I could be exposed.”

What will it take to get over that?

“I think pain, being uncomfortable.”

The Gators experienced the first real pain of the season in their loss to Miami and things certainly got uncomfortable in a close one on Friday night.

For this young team, it’s simply just another lesson on the long road to success, teaching them a little more along the way.

 

 

Kassidy Hill
Born into a large family of sports fanatics and wordsmiths alike, sports journalism came natural to Kassidy. It’s more than a passion; it’s simply a part of who she is. Hailing from Alabama in the midst of typical Iron Bowl family, she learned very quickly just how deep ties in the SEC could run. She came to Gainesville after college to pursue a degree as television sports reporter but quickly realized she missed writing. She’s excited to now marry the two aspects for Gator fans. She loves Jesus, her daddy and football; wants to be Billy Donovan’s best friend and firmly believes that offensive lineman are the best people on earth. Follow her on Twitter @KassidyGHill

1 COMMENT

  1. They better have their stuff together before Atlantis. If we play like we did against ULM Kassidy we will be more than exposed. They will have plenty of humility to go around. The perimeter defense is just terrible right now. Too many open looks. FYI 33 percent is average 3 point percentage. Kasey Hill looks great at times and then you wonder what are you doing Kasey!? Frazier thrives off of the drive and dish and there is none of that. Frazier is an awesome 3 point shooter and IMO he isn’t shooting enough. A good shooter creates shots, I.e. JJ Redick. I believe they will be a completely different team by March but don’t expect only 3 losses this year…..It’s gonna be rough for a little while.