Basketblog Notebook: Doe-Doe & Tre, Scottie off the bench, Bonner from 3, etc.

[InstiGATOR1]

This is an interesting UF blog post. Here is the beginning:

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- With each passing day, next season gets a little closer for two sort-of Florida basketball players.

But these dog days (and dog-eat-dog practices) of February can be really tough on a collegiate transfer.

In the case of swingman Dorian Finney-Smith, a freshman starter and rising star at Virginia Tech a year ago, and center Damontre Harris, a Southeastern Conference All-Defensive team selection at South Carolina last year, it’s been tough on the two of them.

Here is the link to the rest:

http://www.gatorzone.com/harry/blog/1259

[Ahab]

Thanks for the link. We should have great depth next year.

[don23lucia]

I have heard that DFS is the best player on the team right now.

[ugaGator]

I have heard that DFS is the best player on the team right now.

That would be great! Too bad he didn't sign with us right out of high school like he said.

[InstiGATOR1]

I have heard that DFS is the best player on the team right now.

We heard similar reports about Macklin and Rosario. Both turned out to be very good. But UF has lots of very good players so I am not buying this until I see evidence of it next November.

[int1974]

Man we could have a heck of a team next year.
Do we play 3 guards
G-Hill
G-Wilberkin
G-Frazier
PF-Walker
C- Harris
Or put smith in for one of the Guards. I think Frazier starts but , Prather might be in the mix, or Young comes back. so what I'm saying is I have no Idea.

[swampgas44]

Man we could have a heck of a team next year.
Do we play 3 guards
G-Hill
G-Wilberkin
G-Frazier
PF-Walker
C- Harris
Or put smith in for one of the Guards. I think Frazier starts but , Prather might be in the mix, or Young comes back. so what I'm saying is I have no Idea.

Walker ahead of Finney-Smith? :no:

[dalwood13]

Walker ahead of Finney-Smith? :no:

I would assume he's talking about Chris Walker. Finney-Smith probably won't be playing much at the 4 at UF. Probably just for quick spells like Prather before Yeguete's injury. If Young comes back, he won't be needed in the post rotation at all. I think Finney-Smith and Prather will battle it out for the starting spot at the 3 and the loser along with Yeguete and Frazier will be first subs off the bench.

[rserina]

Does Gatorzone no longer employ editors?

Whatever the case, I look forward to seeing those kids in Gator uniforms, too. But if the past has proven anything, you can't slot newcomers into starting positions over experienced returnees. Yeguete will start, without question. Finney-Smith probably has the edge over Prather because he has been in the system practicing for an entire year rather than recovering from injury (Harris) or playing prep ball (Walker), partly also because Donovan really likes what Prather brings to the post rotation more than the three.

I am far less sanguine about next year's team than some others, if only because we stand to lose a ton of continuity and experience, which are the reasons for the current team's success. But what intrigues me the most about the roster next year is the versatility. Harris can play both post positions. Yeguete and Walker can potentially play three froncourt spots. Prather can play the three and the four. Finney-Smith can play the three and the four, but you can also run some offense through him like Brewer and Parsons. Frazier is a two-three who will have experience playing the four. Then you have Wilbekin, who can defend three positions and has played four in his career (with limited stints at the four late last season). It will take awhile to get that rotation figured out, but we will he as equipped to handle injuries, foul trouble, and different matchups as any team around.

But I still think Frazier could be the most pivotal player next year in the same way Wilbekin has become that this season. He will be the only real catch and shoot threat (Wilbekin isn't bad, but will spend more time on the ball) on the team in a system that necessitates such shooters to space the floor. We will be good regardless, but our offensive balance (not to mention transition defense) will depend heavily upon his continued development.

[gatorump]

Does Gatorzone no longer employ editors?

Whatever the case, I look forward to seeing those kids in Gator uniforms, too. But if the past has proven anything, you can't slot newcomers into starting positions over experienced returnees. Yeguete will start, without question. Finney-Smith probably has the edge over Prather because he has been in the system practicing for an entire year rather than recovering from injury (Harris) or playing prep ball (Walker), partly also because Donovan really likes what Prather brings to the post rotation more than the three.

I am far less sanguine about next year's team than some others, if only because we stand to lose a ton of continuity and experience, which are the reasons for the current team's success. But what intrigues me the most about the roster next year is the versatility. Harris can play both post positions. Yeguete and Walker can potentially play three froncourt spots. Prather can play the three and the four. Finney-Smith can play the three and the four, but you can also run some offense through him like Brewer and Parsons. Frazier is a two-three who will have experience playing the four. Then you have Wilbekin, who can defend three positions and has played four in his career (with limited stints at the four late last season). It will take awhile to get that rotation figured out, but we will he as equipped to handle injuries, foul trouble, and different matchups as any team around.

But I still think Frazier could be the most pivotal player next year in the same way Wilbekin has become that this season. He will be the only real catch and shoot threat (Wilbekin isn't bad, but will spend more time on the ball) on the team in a system that necessitates such shooters to space the floor. We will be good regardless, but our offensive balance (not to mention transition defense) will depend heavily upon his continued development.

:laugh: Oh the irony! j/k

[rserina]

:laugh: Oh the irony! j/k
Well, at least he I don't get paid to publish my posts.

[Ahab]

It'll be important that Graham continues to improve and nails down a spot in the rotation so we've got another outside shooter.

[themistocles]

Does Gatorzone no longer employ editors?

Whatever the case, I look forward to seeing those kids in Gator uniforms, too. But if the past has proven anything, you can't slot newcomers into starting positions over experienced returnees. Yeguete will start, without question. Finney-Smith probably has the edge over Prather because he has been in the system practicing for an entire year rather than recovering from injury (Harris) or playing prep ball (Walker), partly also because Donovan really likes what Prather brings to the post rotation more than the three.

I am far less sanguine about next year's team than some others, if only because we stand to lose a ton of continuity and experience, which are the reasons for the current team's success. But what intrigues me the most about the roster next year is the versatility. Harris can play both post positions. Yeguete and Walker can potentially play three froncourt spots. Prather can play the three and the four. Finney-Smith can play the three and the four, but you can also run some offense through him like Brewer and Parsons. Frazier is a two-three who will have experience playing the four. Then you have Wilbekin, who can defend three positions and has played four in his career (with limited stints at the four late last season). It will take awhile to get that rotation figured out, but we will he as equipped to handle injuries, foul trouble, and different matchups as any team around.

But I still think Frazier could be the most pivotal player next year in the same way Wilbekin has become that this season. He will be the only real catch and shoot threat (Wilbekin isn't bad, but will spend more time on the ball) on the team in a system that necessitates such shooters to space the floor. We will be good regardless, but our offensive balance (not to mention transition defense) will depend heavily upon his continued development.

I also agree.