How much will the 4 freshmen contribute?

[RD_gator]

After the first exhibition game, Braxton Ogbueze (16 pts), Michael Frazier (21 pts; 8/10, 5/6 from 3pt), & Dillon Graham (12 pts, 3A) had nice, double figure games. After this game, Coach Donovan was concerned about the team rebounding & defense as the gators gave up too many points in the 101-71 victory over Nebaska-Kearney. Of the seven returning veterans, Will Yuguete had a very strong game (20 pts, 11 reb) & Kenny Boynton (14 pts) was solid! Donovan was disappointed by Young, Murphy & Rosario's play. Things will have to improve before Florida's first game against Georgetown.

http://www.gatorsports.com/article/20121101/ARTICLES/121109939?p=1&tc=pg

After this year, Florida will lose both Boynton & Rosario. How much should Florida try to develop some of these talented freshman to prepare them for the following season? It seems like all of these freshman can really shoot the ball!

One way to incorporate all four freshman (including Devon Walker) is in the pressing game. With more back-court depth, Florida should really utilize the press more often during the season!

Could Frazier &/or Walker be utilized at the small-forward position for rebounding purposes? I still think that this is Casey Prather's prime opportunity to try to win this position this season! Next year, it will be Finney-Smith & possibly Jabari Parker (kind of unbelievable here) competing for the SF position; although, F-S may also compete at the PF position!

To try to push the pace at times, should Ogbueze be utilized at PG? We still haven't seen how Wilbekin & Boynton will look like at the PG position!

In case of foul trouble to some of the starters (Boynton, Rosario, etc.), which of the four freshman should be substituted in at the SG position? Probably too early to tell.



What do you think of the minute distribution for the starters & the bench players?
For me, the average (minutes of playing time) would be something like the following:

PG: SW (25 min)/ KB (5-10 min at end of both half)/ BO (5-10 min)
SG: KB (25 min)/ BO (10 min)/ ?MR/DG (5-10 min)
SF: CP (20 min)/ MR (15 min)/ MF/DW (5-10 min)
PF: EM (20-25 min)/ WG (10-15 min)/ CP (5-10 min)
C: PY (30 min)/ WG (10 min)/ Murphy (if PY in foul trouble)

Top rated players:
---------------------------------------------------------
1. SG: Kenny Boynton (KB): 30-35 min
2. C: Patric Young (PY): 25-30+ min
3. PF: Erik Murphy (EM): 20-25 min
4. PG: Scottie Wilbekin (SW): 25 min
5. SF/SG: Mike Rosario (MR): 20-25 min
6. PF/C: Will Yuguete (WY): 20-25 min (could move Will to 3rd)
7. SF/PF: Casey Prather (CP): 20-25 min
----------------------------------------------------------
8. SG/PG: Braxton Ogbueze (BO): 10-15 min
9. SF: Michael Frazier (MF): (5-10 min)
10. SG: Dillon Graham (DG): (0-5 min)
11. SF: Devon Walker (DW): (0-5 min)

[jeffphillips21]

if last night was any indication Michael Frazier will be seeing more than 5-10 minutes/game. I agree the depth allows us to press a little more, but as long as it's effective. It wasn't all that effective last year. We shall see.

Good post

[themistocles]

Interesting question.

Assuming that the vets return to historical form sometime soon, there will be somewhere between 20 and 30 minutes available for the true frosh.

I expect Frazier and Ogbueze to take up most of those minutes, although, Bullis is really sold on Graham, so he may take some also.

Walker, I think, is likely a ways off from being able to contribute much at the SEC level.

Since about 2000, the press has not been very effective for the Gators.

This should certainly be a defensively oriented team, so, perhaps we will see more pressing, and, if so, it makes sense to use the freshman a bit more.

[ThePlayer]

We have two superstars coming to town next season.
We might soon forget that Boynton was ever here to begin with.

And if by 'freshmen' you mean Michael Frazier...
He may just account for 15%-25% of our offense all by himself.

[GatorsGators]

Frazier and Graham were both very impressive last night. Frazier's shot looked awesome, and he's pretty mature physically. Graham is the most athletic of the freshman, which should help him rebounding and defensively, and his shot looked smooth. Both could play in a 3-guard lineup if Rosario plays the way he did last night. I think both will get more playing time than we originally thought.

I'm also thinking now that Ogbueze won't get as much time as I originally thought he would. He looked solid last night, but Boynton also looked good at point guard. Wilbekin and Boynton are our two point guards, imo. I can't see Ogbueze getting time at SG over all of the wings we have.

I seriously doubt that Walker will get much time at all unless Prather disappoints and one of our big men get hurt. That would be the worst possible situation, so I'm hoping that Walker doesn't get too much time lol.

[rserina]

Donovan seemed very pleased with their effort, especially on the glass and defensively, but it is a long season and way too early to know which of these guys can contribute. I don't think you will see any coaches in college basketball go deeper just to prepare kids for the next year, though. If we press, it will be less because we want to integrate more players than because we are effective at it. Likewise, if we play freshmen, it will be less because we want to prepare them for next year than because they are good enough to contribute this year.

[InstiGATOR1]

Graham was clearly the most athletic of the frosh last night. He also did not miss a shot.

I also thought Ogbueze was last off the bench for a reason. He was often out of control on offense or lost on defense.

Frazier of course shot well, but it was one game. We will need to see if this is a Parsons at Vandy as a Frosh or some acutal consistent shooting ability. As I remember he did consistently shoot like that on Monteverde games on ESPNU last eyar.

I thought D. Walker looked ok too.

[bullish]

Frazier 20 min. at least
Grahm 10 min
Ogbueze 10
D. Walker 3-4

* All these minutes are based on talent alone, how fast they pick up Billy Ball, which tends to feed it inside like last year, could slow these down. But, the talent is there. If Wilbekin can handle the point, Rosario the wing, can Prather shoot a decent percentage to help from the wing, a lot of questions to answer. Georgetown will push us hard, a great challenge. Let's us see what Billy will do, who will start, and minute distribution. The last test result will be whether the pieces he chooses this game will result in winning basketball. Not much time to figure it out. Hopefully we beat Georgetown. It would bring the National Media to our side for better or worse. Blow em out.

[gymgator]

If Walker redshirted, I wouldn't be shocked.

Frazier and Graham should each get 12-15 min at the SG & SF position, but Frazier could take PT from Prather or Rosario if they do not improve on their turnover tendencies.
Prather might have to spend 5 min at the PF with the "loss" of Larson, who would have been a big body to give 4-6 minutes for foul trouble or rest for the press. WY improvement at least gives us some quality depth.

[StrangeGator]

Frazier and Graham both look like good puzzle pieces to experiment with at the three. It'd be nice to have someone with adequate length to defend other threes, but also score in spurts. Not sure if Prather is going to do that consistently.

Don't count out Ogbueze. Before the exhibition game, he was everyone's pick to be the most game-ready. Look out for him in one of the next few games. He's very athletic and has a nice handle. Many people said his stroke was good enough to help at the two.

[tupacbiff]

To answer the OP. I am going to say somewhere between nothing and all world.

[bullish]

Tupac Can't go wrong with that answer.

I remember Michael Jordan as a freshman playing for Dean Smith at North Carolina. The saying goes, the only person that could hold Michael down from scoring a lot of points, was, get this, Dean Smith.

Well, I think you will see as the season goes on, Billy has the control of that. I know if we can't handle tough early season tests such as Georgetown with his veterans, that he will have to re-evaluate his starting line-up at some point. Bradley started as a freshman, so its not out of the possibility of Frazier getting a look at starting and playing 30 minutes a game. Billy will fight this because he recruited these veteran guys and is loyal and they know what he wants, but again if we struggle, changes will be made.

My guess after an exhibition, which isn't much, for the best starting five:

boynton pg, Frazier 2g, Prather wing (if he can shoot from the outside), Will Y. PF, Pat y. at c.

Billy's probable starting Line-up: Wilbekin pg, Boynton 2g, Rosario wing, Murphy PF, Pat Young Center. This line-up has questions also, can Scottie provide scoring when needed and can he drive it inside effectively. I know he can get assists. But the pg is under a microscope. Second, can Rosario stay healthy and can he provide rebounding/scoring help effectively? These are big question marks. Murphy is also called into question, he is a little slow but tough. I like his game, but when guys blow by him that is a problem.

I have already posted my minutes based on knowing Billy and this first exhibition. It's early which is what I guess your thinking, but in following basketball I have taken this stab! LOL

[tampajack1]

Tupac Can't go wrong with that answer.

I remember Michael Jordan as a freshman playing for Dean Smith at North Carolina. The saying goes, the only person that could hold Michael down from scoring a lot of points, was, get this, Dean Smith.

Well, I think you will see as the season goes on, Billy has the control of that. I know if we can't handle tough early season tests such as Georgetown with his veterans, that he will have to re-evaluate his starting line-up at some point. Bradley started as a freshman, so its not out of the possibility of Frazier getting a look at starting and playing 30 minutes a game. Billy will fight this because he recruited these veteran guys and is loyal and they know what he wants, but again if we struggle, changes will be made.

My guess after an exhibition, which isn't much, for the best starting five:

boynton pg, Frazier 2g, Prather wing (if he can shoot from the outside), Will Y. PF, Pat y. at c.

Billy's probable starting Line-up: Wilbekin pg, Boynton 2g, Rosario wing, Murphy PF, Pat Young Center. This line-up has questions also, can Scottie provide scoring when needed and can he drive it inside effectively. I know he can get assists. But the pg is under a microscope. Second, can Rosario stay healthy and can he provide rebounding/scoring help effectively? These are big question marks. Murphy is also called into question, he is a little slow but tough. I like his game, but when guys blow by him that is a problem.

I have already posted my minutes based on knowing Billy and this first exhibition. It's early which is what I guess your thinking, but in following basketball I have taken this stab! LOL

Billy has always played the guys that give the team the best chance to win. I don't see where he has had loyalty to older players who reduced the team's chances of winning.

[rserina]

Donovan loves Wilbekin and I suspect he knows the exhibition game was an aberration. We aren't really worried about scoring. Donovan always says that takes care of itself (and by and large it has, expect for 2008-09). What Wilbekin brings is good defense and the sort of versatility that enables us to mix and match personnel more easily. Boynton will play the one, but it seems to me in more limited stints because he is too valuable playing off the ball and forcing the defense to extend itself. When he is at the one, you just trap the ball screen and he is in effect done offensively.

[bullish]

Billy does love Scottie, I hope he has a great year, we will need it. I think he has to prove himself an excellent distributor, defense, and scoring, whether it is a three when open and he hits them for a good percentage, or driving to the hoop to break down the defense. Little Erv got fried for every mistake he made and people said he was the downfall of our team. I begged to differ, but this said, Scottie will be under a microscope. I hope he can provide consistent play, if not Kenney will pick up more minutes and the freshmen also. PG's for big time programs get the team moving at the right time and prosper, if not they are villified!

[GatorsGators]

Billy does love Scottie, I hope he has a great year, we will need it. I think he has to prove himself an excellent distributor, defense, and scoring, whether it is a three when open and he hits them for a good percentage, or driving to the hoop to break down the defense. Little Erv got fried for every mistake he made and people said he was the downfall of our team. I begged to differ, but this said, Scottie will be under a microscope. I hope he can provide consistent play, if not Kenney will pick up more minutes and the freshmen also. PG's for big time programs get the team moving at the right time and prosper, if not they are villified!Prather has more to prove than Wilbekin. He's the only true SF we have, but that doesn't mean he's the best option right now.

Point guards are put under the microscope, but Donovan shouldn't be concerned with fan reaction when putting together his starting five.

I think Wilbekin, Boynton, Murphy, and Young are all definitely going to start. The other slot is there for the taking. Rosario will probably start out there due to his experience and Prather's concussions, but if Frazier or Graham proves that he gives us a better chance to win than Rosario, then he'll replace him in the starting lineup.

[HALLGATOR]

This will also be Murphy's last year.

[bullish]

GatorsGators, your right, Prather does have a lot to prove. Playing out of position to help the team didn't help his development as a SF. But he prospered by giving us good minutes there. I hope when he is open on the wing he can provide a consistent scoring threat. I know he can rebound and run the floor. His defense is good also.

If he doesn't get his 3 pt shot down or a 15 footer, he will have to provide depth at PF. Scottie on the other hand has to be consistent shooting, driving the hoop which isn't his forte, and dishing the ball for easy conversions for his teammates. His position doesn't have luxury of having off nights. When he struggles, we will struggle. Being a starter has a lot of responsibility, so I would say he has as much to prove as Prather being a starter if not more because of his position. He is a heady, steady player, and I hope he improves his shot and his ability to get to the rim. Friday night he has a mid-term, as a Gator Basketball fan, as he goes, the team goes. A lot of pressure for a pg and if last year has any relevance, Erv was ripped any time the team struggled. I was totally behind Erv and I will be behind Scottie, hope he continues to get better and improves from last year. This board can be brutal when things go wrong.

[rserina]

If he doesn't get his 3 pt shot down or a 15 footer, he will have to provide depth at PF. Scottie on the other hand has to be consistent shooting, driving the hoop which isn't his forte, and dishing the ball for easy conversions for his teammates. His position doesn't have luxury of having off nights. When he struggles, we will struggle. Being a starter has a lot of responsibility, so I would say he has as much to prove as Prather being a starter if not more because of his position. He is a heady, steady player, and I hope he improves his shot and his ability to get to the rim. Friday night he has a mid-term, as a Gator Basketball fan, as he goes, the team goes. A lot of pressure for a pg and if last year has any relevance, Erv was ripped any time the team struggled. I was totally behind Erv and I will be behind Scottie, hope he continues to get better and improves from last year. This board can be brutal when things go wrong.
This board is as relevant to public opinion as an ant hill is to the universe. I wouldn't worry about that. Donovan is far harder on point guards than the morons who vilified Walker last year (and don't think for a second they won't turn it on the senior of the year, Boynton, every time he misses a shot--that's sort of what they do for fun).

I would disagree that Wilbekin is weak off the bounce or that his off nights will hurt the team. Green and Walker had plenty of bad nights and we still won. Likewise, we had some pretty good teams with an offensively non-existent Hamilton at the point. Wilbekin has proven he can initiate the offense, get into the lane, score with his pullup jumper or his little runner, and hit his open catch and shoot jumpers. He also has been careful and unselfish with the ball in general. His ability to hit that perimeter three off the high ball screen when the defense gives it to him is crucial because that is the single most important play in the entire Donovan arsenal. We run it plenty, it is usually open, and Donovan gives his point guards the freedom to take that shot if it comes in the flow of the offense. Wilbekin's ability to hit it will be the difference between a breakout season for him at the one with a good 10-12 ppg and an open point guard competition (overstating it a little, okay, but not much).