Parsons Leads Gators Past URI

Florida basketball coach Billy Donovan has said more than a few times this year that one of the keys to the Gators’ success is Chandler Parsons fully grasping the role of a point forward.

It hasn’t gone perfectly. The truth is, there have been many moments this season where members of the Gator Nation have wondered aloud why Parsons has been so passive.

Those days appear to be coming to an end after his performance in UF’s 84-59 beatdown of Rhode Island in front of an announced crowd of 8,016 on Monday night in the Stephen C. O’Connell Center.

There, Parsons did it all, scoring a season-high 18 points, dishing out a team-best five assists and pulling down a game-high 12 rebounds.

He then said a sentence that no doubt will excite Gator fans.

“I’m trying to be aggressive,” Parsons said.

If there have been issues with Parsons’ play this season, it hasn’t been with assists (he leads the team) or rebounds (passed Vernon Macklin on Monday for UF’s lead). It has been with his lack of scoring. Lack of shooting to be more precise.

Prior to his 7-for-12 effort against the Rams (9-5), Parsons hadn’t reached double figures in shot attempts since Nov. 21 against Morehead State, a span of 10 games. During that stretch, he had more than 10 points just once – when he put 13 up against American – and his scoring average steadily dropped from 14.5 ppg to 9.3 ppg.

Now, though, he appears to be playing with more confidence than he has all year. And that’s perfect timing, considering the Gators (11-3) open Southeastern Conference play on Saturday night against visiting Mississippi.

Even with all that, after recording his second double-double of the season and ninth of his career, Parsons says he is no different now than he was last week.

“I did the same thing yesterday, woke up in the same bed today,” Parsons said. “(I) just made shots. I’m going to keep shooting the ball. I’m a shooter.

“I’m going to keep shooting and I was fortunate enough to hit some (against URI). I’ve been getting in the gym, getting some shots up.

“I’ve got four more months here, so I’m just trying to be the best player I can be and help my team the best way I can.”

Parsons might have had the biggest game, but he wasn’t the only one who delivered a strong performance for the Gators.

Erving Walker continued his solid play with 14 points and five assists (though he did have four turnovers). In his first career start (Macklin’s shoulder injury limited him to 22 minutes off the bench), freshman center Patric Young was perfect from the field and foul line en route to eight points and five rebounds. And fellow freshman Scottie Wilbekin played a productive 22 minutes, scoring six points, grabbing four rebounds, dishing out two assists, collecting a steal and having no turnovers.

But perhaps the most pleasant surprise for UF was the play of Casey Prather.

The athletic 6-foot-6 freshman swingman has had trouble keeping the coaching staff’s faith in him and also has been dealing with a painful bone bruise. However, he had arguably the best game of his young Gator career on Monday night.

After not playing in Florida’s 71-67 victory at Xavier last Friday, Prather scored eight points on 4-of-4 shooting. He added five rebounds, three assists and just one turnover in 10 quality minutes.

Walker liked a lot of what he saw from his team.

“I think that (performance) was good,” Walker said. “It gives (the young players) confidence and lets them know that we need them.

“We’re going to need every man on this roster to accomplish what we want to accomplish.”

FREE THROWS

*Backup power forward Erik Murphy did not play against his home-state team. He has a mild foot sprain and is expected to miss five to 10 days.

*The Gators walloped the Rams on the boards, finishing with a 49-31 rebounding advantage. Rhode Island had just two more total rebounds than UF had defensive rebounds.

*Freshman power forward Will Yeguete injured his groin/hip flexor and will be evaluated on Tuesday.

PATTON’S PICKS

Gator(Gr)ade:
A (back-to-back games)

Gator Player of the Game: Parsons finished with 18 points, 12 rebounds, five assists, a blocked shot and a steal. It was his finest performance of the season.

Opposing Player of the Game: Delroy James scored a game-high 23 points, while also grabbing six rebounds. For a while it seemed like he was Rhode Island’s only offensive threat.

Play of the Game: With around 5:25 remaining in the first half, Parsons drove into the lane from the top left of the key. He delivered a nifty bounce pass in the lane to Young, who dunked the ball.

Stat of the Game: UF had a 12-0 advantage in fast-break points.

Next Up: The Gators will host Mississippi (11-3 heading into Wednesday’s game against Southern Methodist) to open Southeastern Conference play on Saturday at 8 p.m.