The fun and games are over for the Florida Gators. The non-conference schedule is history and the Gators fared well with a 13-2 record but now they have to get into the SEC grind and that’s when we’ll know just how far Coach Billy Donovan’s young team has come and how far they have to go. In this edition of the Basketball Confidential, we’ll cover the Gators, recruiting and take a look at the SEC.
WHAT WAS ACCOMPLISHED IN THE NON-CONFERENCE GAMES?: The non-conference schedule wasn’t exactly the strongest in the world but considering how young the Gators are, I think it was a necessity to go light and it has paid off. First, all nine scholarship players got playing time in every single game and all of them had the confidence boost of a double figures scoring game. I think that’s huge. Second, by the time there were some injuries to work through, there were experienced players to plug in. Third, the lighter conference schedule allowed a player like Jonathan Mitchell to come out of his shell. I think he’s going to have a nice role in whatever success the Gators have the rest of the way. He’s 240 pounds, tough, willing to play defense and isn’t afraid to mix it up in the post. And, he’s a far better three-point shooter than anyone imagined, which means that when he plays the high post he can step out to the wing and stretch defenses. I think there are going to be nights in the SEC when the Gators can’t miss a shot and I think there are going to be nights when they struggle. I think 8-8 or even 9-7 is possible in the league if they can win the hustle stats (diving for loose balls, tipping rebounds to teammates, deflecting passes, taking charges, getting back on defense) and avoid prolonged shooting lapses.
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