Florida Gators basketball prepared to get 2016-17 season underway

It’s a busy week in Jacksonville for  Gators athletics. While the football team continues preparations for Georgia, the Florida Gators basketball team will begin its second season under head coach Mike White at Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena. The Gators are set to take on Eckerd College in an exhibition game at 7 p.m. on Wednesday.

Eckerd had a 25-7 record and won their conference championship last season. “Obviously, a really well-coached team,” said White on Eckerd. “A program that is doing some really positive things and have a bunch returning from a really good team.”

More than anything, White is hoping to get a better feel of where the team is at this point as they play a team other than themselves for the first time. He said he wants to learn more about the culture of the team and see how players respond to adversity.

White has a lot to think about before the Gators take the court, as he said on Tuesday that he did not yet have a starting lineup prepared for the game. “We’re probably halfway through it, two-and-a-half guys,” he said. “We’ll evaluate practice again today. I know it sounds cliché, but that’s what we’re going to do. Might have decisions tonight, might even get through shoot-around tomorrow.”

Having so many options for a potential starting lineup could be a good problem for Florida to have. “I bet realistically we probably have nine guys who are fighting for five spots,” said White. At this point, those nine players are John Egbunu, Canyon Barry, Kasey Hill, KeVaughn Allen, Justin Leon, Kevarrius Hayes, Devin Robinson, Chris Chiozza, and Keith Stone.

Unfortunately for the Gators, one of those key players will be out for the exhibition game. Senior point guard Kasey Hill will miss the game with a hamstring injury. White did not elaborate on the injury, but it did not sound to be too serious and Hill should be back soon.

“He’s been working hard all summer, but definitely he has to heal up,” said teammate John Egbunu. “There’s no point in him trying to play while he’s not 100% and end up hurting something.”

Defense has been the main concern in practices this week leading up to the exhibition. The Gators have been productive offensively in practices and scrimmages over the last few weeks. Possibly too productive for where they are at as an offense at this point, according to White.

“We need to improve on our defense a little bit. Coach has stressed on that,” said Egbunu. “Offensively, we’ve been shooting the ball at a really, really high percentage. We hope to continue doing that, as well as adding on to improve defense.”

This exhibition will not only give Florida an opportunity to play in a more game-like atmosphere and make some much needed improvements, it will also give them a chance to get a feel for the court they will have to make their home in the first two games of the regular season. The Gators open up against Florida Gulf Coast and Mercer in Jacksonville on November 11 and 13.

With fans already gathering in Jacksonville for the World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party, the Gators are excited to possibly get to play in front of a crowd that might not normally be able to make it to the O’Dome this season. White said the team might take a trip to RV City to try to draw in a larger crowd of Florida fans.

Whether one single fan or thousands show up, the Gators will be ready to play. “Personally for us, every time I go out there every game, it means a lot to us,” said Egbunu. “We’re trying to compete at a high level, get better, push each other. That’s what we’re looking for to do out there tomorrow.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bailiegh Carlton
A lifelong sports fan, Bailiegh Carlton knew from a young age that she wanted to work in sports in some capacity. Before transferring to the University of Florida to study journalism, she played softball at Gulf Coast State College. She then interned for Gator Country for three years as she worked toward her degree. After graduation, Bailiegh decided to explore other opportunities in the world of sports, but all roads led her right back here. In her time away, she and her husband welcomed a beautiful baby girl into the world. When she isn't working, she can almost always be found snuggled up with sweet baby Ridley, Cody and her four fur babies.