This year, or next year?

[BengermanV]

I figured I'd pose the same question I've been wondering myself. Which team do you think will be better? I'll try and line up the rosters as best and realistically as I can.

2013:

PG: Wilbekin
SG: Boynton
SF: Rosario
PF: Murphy
C: Young

Bench:

Prather
Yeguete
Frazier
Graham

2014:

PG: Kasey Hill
SG: Casey Prather
SF: Finney-Smith
PF: Walker
C: Harris

Bench:

Wilby
Yeguete
Frazier
Graham

The Edge:

PG: Probably goes to 2014's team, as from what I've seen and heard, Kasey Hill is an instant impact guy. Plus, Wilby should still be on the bench for us. Gotta like the way that position shakes out.

SG: We'll have to see how it plays out, but you have to like the idea of a 6'6 Prather playing at the 2. Still, edge goes to 2013 because Boynton is still a premier scorer and defender.

SF: Most would agree that the edge goes to Finney-Smith here, but I'm not so sure. In terms of overall length and athleticism, I'd likely take him over Rosario. Edge goes to 2014 by a hair.

PF: Walker will be great, but you can't argue with what Murph has given us this year. Edge goes to 2013.

C: This is tricky, because there are a few variables here. Julius Randle is still very much in play (he's not a center, but either him or Walker would likely play the position), and Patric Young is far from a sure thing to leave us. I'm going to leave this as a tie, because it is too hard to see what we'll look like at the position.

Bench:

Basically the same as this year, so probably a slight edge to 2014.

[Jonas]

I think next year will have more raw talent, but we are losing a lot of experience this year. Guess we'll see which wins out.

[int1974]

Should have 3 seniors back, to go with the freshman plus Frazier, Graham, Walker returning.

[PowerGator]

I think this years team will be better. Even though we are getting highly rated recruits, you never know how they will turn out. We have an elite team this year.

[gatorbogey]

to me, donovan's systems works better w/ experienced guys. at least that my be evident this year. guys need to be in the system for a year, imo.

[UFG8rGuy3283]

While I don't necessarily agree with the starters vs bench for next year (Scottie and Frazier start at the guards imo with Kasey getting starters minutes and SW playing some SG), I believe we will be more explosive offensively next year and could be a bit less dominant defensively as a team (Harris should be a force defensively in the middle however).

I think we have a great chance at the Final 4 both years.

[GatorRade]

I think this isn't really a question right now considering that, (1) right now, Florida is the #1 rated team in the nation (http://kenpom.com/), and (2) Florida is losing 3 or 4 starters from this team.

[SmootyGator]

If we win the tournament both years, which team is really *better*? :D

[dalwood13]

While I don't necessarily agree with the starters vs bench for next year (Scottie and Frazier start at the guards imo with Kasey getting starters minutes and SW playing some SG), I believe we will be more explosive offensively next year and could be a bit less dominant defensively as a team (Harris should be a force defensively in the middle however).

I think we have a great chance at the Final 4 both years.

I would be shocked if Kasey Hill came off the bench next year. I think Wilbekin will start also though along with Prather.

[UFG8rGuy3283]

I would be shocked if Kasey Hill came off the bench next year. I think Wilbekin will start also though along with Prather.

It's very possible that Kasey starts but PG is the most difficult position in Billy's system to come in and start at (some people will say the stretch 4 spot, which may be true). Hill is a truly special talent and very well may start. I'm not sure that Prather will start ahead of Frazier and I certainly don't think that DFS will be coming off the bench. He is a very, very good player who will have a year in the system from sitting.

I think next year's team is one that will be more similar to the 2000 team, with a lot of guys playing a lot of minutes. Billy has shortened his bench in recent years, but all of those guys can play and will play and the OP didn't even include BO who could certainly get some minutes at the 1 or 2 if he shows improvement (I realize that has been a debate recently, but I won't open that can again).

I could also see WY getting the start at the 4 with Walker coming off the bench. I guess a lot will depend on how those guys look when they come in.

Either way, I'm excited about this year and next.

[InstiGATOR1]

I would be shocked if Kasey Hill came off the bench next year. I think Wilbekin will start also though along with Prather.

I think you mean not be shocked. I personally think UF's two deep next year will be:

PG: Wilbekin, Hill
SG: Frazier, Graham
SF: Finney-Smith, Prather
PF: Yeguete, C. Walker
C: Harris

Of course Young starts at C if he comes back. Each of those players will get from between 15 to 30 minutes per game. I do not see Prather starting.

Until I see Hill, C.Walker and Finney-Smith play the level of defense this team is playing, I would have to side with the current UF team being better.

[REM08]

You guys certainly have a higher ceiling next year. That team, playing to its potential, beats this years team more often than not IMO. I think this year's team has a better shot at a title, but next years team is better overall. The reason I say that is because of how weak college basketball is at the top this year. That makes all the difference in the world. We'll have to see how next year looks I guess.

[StrangeGator]

Biggest loss from 2013 will be Boynton. Every other position will about the same or upgrade. The bench will be much stronger. I think Frazier and Hill will start in the backcourt, but Wilbekin will spell both to provide experience and to defend more physical guards. There's so much luck involved in going deep into the tournament, I'm not going to guess. I think they have about the same chance both years. If anything, the freshmen on the 2014 team will have matured be tournament time and we'll see from one or more of them what we saw from Beal last year.

[dalwood13]

I think you mean not be shocked. I personally think UF's two deep next year will be:

PG: Wilbekin, Hill
SG: Frazier, Graham
SF: Finney-Smith, Prather
PF: Yeguete, C. Walker
C: Harris

Of course Young starts at C if he comes back. Each of those players will get from between 15 to 30 minutes per game. I do not see Prather starting.

Until I see Hill, C.Walker and Finney-Smith play the level of defense this team is playing, I would have to side with the current UF team being better.

No, I mean I do not see Hill coming off the bench. I see:

1: Hill
2: Wilbekin
3: Prather
4: Yeguete
5: Harris

Obviously, if Pat comes back he starts at the 5. I could also see Walker starting over Yeguete if he comes in with the right defensive mindset and attitude. His ceiling offensively is just so much greater than Will's, plus Yeguete is great in his current role providing a spark off the bench.

[UFG8rGuy3283]

No, I mean I do not see Hill coming off the bench. I see:

1: Hill
2: Wilbekin
3: Prather
4: Yeguete
5: Harris

Obviously, if Pat comes back he starts at the 5. I could also see Walker starting over Yeguete if he comes in with the right defensive mindset and attitude. His ceiling offensively is just so much greater than Will's, plus Yeguete is great in his current role providing a spark off the bench.

I see absolutely zero chance that Prather starts at the SF. I think you are highly underestimating DFS, who has been the best player on the current team in practice this year according to several who have seen them.

Hill might start, as he certainly has elite talent, but I don't think we start Scottie and Hill due to the lack of depth. I also expect Frazier to be rock solid next year. Time will tell and you may be right. Again, I'm not sure who starts matters as much next year, because all of our players will contribute significantly, especially if Graham gets stronger over the summer and improves as he appears capable of.

[BengermanV]

You guys certainly have a higher ceiling next year. That team, playing to its potential, beats this years team more often than not IMO. I think this year's team has a better shot at a title, but next years team is better overall. The reason I say that is because of how weak college basketball is at the top this year. That makes all the difference in the world. We'll have to see how next year looks I guess.

That's what I was thinking REM. This team will likely be much more solid defensively, but next year's offensive ceiling is off the charts.

[InstiGATOR1]

I see absolutely zero chance that Prather starts at the SF. I think you are highly underestimating DFS, who has been the best player on the current team in practice this year according to several who have seen them.

Hill might start, as he certainly has elite talent, but I don't think we start Scottie and Hill due to the lack of depth. I also expect Frazier to be rock solid next year. Time will tell and you may be right. Again, I'm not sure who starts matters as much next year, because all of our players will contribute significantly, especially if Graham gets stronger over the summer and improves as he appears capable of.

I am with you on Finney-Smith, he did not transfer and sit out a year to ride the pine.

I agree Hill might start, but I doubt Donovan goes with a FR PG when he has a very experienced SR. I also think it could be C.Walker at the PF or it could be Yeguete. I think everyone should remember that Young did not start as a FR and C.Walker is pretty raw like Young. For that matter Brett Nelson nor number 1 over all recruit Harvey started their first years either.