More then ever, scheduling has become one of the most important tasks for a coaching staff. A few spots in the RPI rankings could be the difference between making the NCAA Tournament or heading to the NIT, and the difference in strength of schedule could cost, or award you, several spots in seeding. With metrics such as KenPom, Sagarin, and BPI becoming so pivotal in the eyes of AP Poll voters and selection committee alike, Coach Mike White and staff have attacked the non-conference schedule with many quality opponents. Additionally, the Southeastern Conference is back to being one of the best leagues in the country, affording the Gators many big games. A benefit of this for Florida Gators basketball fans is seeing some of the best athletes in the nation go up against the orange and blue. Here are some of the most talented players Florida will play against this season.
Tyler Leissner
New Hampshire
November 19 (PK 80 Invitational)
A veteran forward for the Wildcats, Leissner is a fan favorite for New Hampshire that gets plenty of touches for a team looking to top the America East conference. Averaging 17.1 points and 6.9 rebounds, he is likely to become New Hampshire’s all-time leading scorer near the end of the season. Adept at getting to the foul line, he will be looking to get the Gators off balance when they match up in November.
Reid Travis
Stanford
November 23 (PK 80 Invitational)
One of college basketball’s best kept secret, hiding in plain sight in the PAC-12. A 6’8”, 245 pound forward for the Cardinals, Travis will be the main weapon offensively and on the glass. Averaging 17.4 points and 8.4 rebounds, the redshirt junior was the conference’s leader in both categories. He will be tough to handle, and the matchup with him and similarly sized Keith Stone could decide who heads on in the tournament to take on the winner of Ohio State and Gonzaga.
Gary Clark
Cincinnati
December 9
Everybody knows when you play the Bearcats, they are going to get after you defensively. Luckily for coach Mick Cronin this year, he now has the offensive firepower that could push his team deep into the NCAA Tournament. Former AAC Defensive Player of the Year winner Gary Clark will be a focal point of the Bearcats, as he anchors the defense and finishes plenty of layups around the hoop. The 6’8”, 225 pound senior averaged 10.8 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks, and will be the player to watch when Florida meets Cincinnati in the Never Forget Tribute.
Jalin Hart
Incarnate Word
December 22
If there is one thing college basketball fans love to cheer for universally, its undersized guards that have overcome their stature to dominate. That is just what Incarnate Word’s Jalin Hart has done up to this point in his career, pitching in 15.9 points and 4.7 assists last year. A senior, he will be relied upon to help mentor one of the best recruiting classes in recent program history featuring two 3-star athletes.
Robert Williams
Texas A&M
January 2
An NBA prospect looking to shoot his way up the draft boards, Robert Williams will be load to deal with for the Gators. Standing at 6’10” and 240 pounds, Williams will look to push the Gators around and showcase his leaping ability around the rim for powerful finishes. After averaging 11.9 points and 8.2 rebounds per game, he will almost certainly go pro after this, his sophomore season. Adding to the Gators’ headache will be Williams’ frontcourt mate Tyler Davis. A mammoth 6’10” and 270 pounds, keeping the Aggies off the glass and out of the paint will be Florida’s number one focus when playing Texas A&M.
Michael Porter Jr.
Missouri
January 6
After dwelling in the basement of the SEC for several painful seasons, the Tigers finally have a star capable of leading them back to the NCAA Tournament. Likely getting drafted with one of the first two picks of the NBA Draft at the conclusion of his freshman season, Porter Jr. will be looking to showcase his complex skillset. 6’10”, 215 and capable of getting his shot off whenever he wants, he will certainly be a handful for whichever player the Gators choose to put on him. Destined to have many highlight reel plays this season, Florida hopes to keep him off Sportscenter when they match up early in conference play.
Hamidou Diallo
Kentucky
January 20 and March 3
With a bevvy of talent, there is no shortage of Kentucky players that could have been included in this list. With many of the top recruits Calipari brought in being frontcourt players, I think the featured player on this roster will be “returner” (came to Kentucky in the second semester last year and redshirted) Hamidou Diallo. The 6’5”, 190 pound freshman is a tough matchup, as his powerful first step is good enough to get by pretty much every defender in the nation. Since the Gators will be playing the Wildcats twice (and maybe a 3rd time in the SEC Tournament) adapting and showing different looks to the explosive wing will be key in slowing him down.
Manu Lecomte
Baylor
January 27 (Big 12-SEC Challenge)
Always a fun departure from the conference slate, in this year’s Big 12-SEC Challenge the Gators will see one of the best point guards in the country, Manu Lecomte. Though the Bear’s slow pace doesn’t lend itself to any player putting up goliath numbers, Lecomte’s 12.2 points per game and 3.8 assists last season were very impressive in an elite conference. A deadeye 3-point shooter, Florida will have to make sure not to lose him off screens and keep a hand up all times. With a flare for the dramatic, if the game gets close you will be sure Lecomte will be looking to take the final shot.
Yante Maten
Georgia
January 30 and February 14
One of the best big men in college basketball, Yante Maten will be tasked with leading the Bulldogs after graduating star point guard JJ Frazier at the end of last season. Always showing skilled footwork around the block, Maten averaged 18.2 points and 6.8 rebounds per game, embarrassing opposing post players with his drop steps, hook shots, and up and under moves. Though not particularly imposing at 6’8” and 240 pounds, he adamantly protects the rim and averaged 1.5 blocks this past season. Without Frazier around to help get him the ball in his favorite spots he may slow down a bit, but his skillset is extremely valuable and he has the veteran savvy to get his own bucket.
Who are you most looking forward to seeing the Gators play? Leave a comment or post on the Gator Country forums.