The smurf lineup

[MadduxFanII]

How about that group we threw out there for two minutes or so at the end of the first half?

Wilbekin-Boynton-Rosario-Frazier-Prather.

That's an interesting one. Seemed to handle things well.

[ugaGator]

Not something you could stick with long stretches though

[gatormonk]

Prather stepped up.

[bullish]

I wish we didn't have to go to a smurf line-up. But these guys all played tough. If kentucky had guards as good as their inside game, it would have been different.

[Gatuar]

Prather plays like he's 6-10....owned Willie Caulie- Stein tonight

[G8rNkoko]

There isn't any height to that line up, but the amount of speed and quickness along with defensive intensity is off the charts.

[themistocles]

There isn't any height to that line up, but the amount of speed and quickness along with defensive intensity is off the charts.

Well, back in 1964, a 6'6", 215 lb center would have been a bit light, but not unusually short.

However, times have changed, and, as you noted, limited height, but incredible quickness and defensive intensity - which is very important.

[rserina]

Of course you can't play extended minutes with a combo forward at the five and a backup wing at the four. But who would try and play their fourth and fifth "bigs" together for extended minutes? The bigger question is whether you can hold your ground with that lineup for short stretches, which we did.

[gatorfansrule]

Our weakness inside showed a little against a tall Kentucky team when we didn't have both Young and Murphy on the court together. Our boys hustled really, really hard, but they were able to get on the offensive boards. We could really use 1 more 6'9+ guy on this team to come in and spell Young at the 5. Prather should not have to play the 5, he's a 3 or a slightly undersized 4. I'd kill to still have Kenny Kadji on this team. Even Larson would have helped out.

[gtr2x]

Interestingly, I didn't hear Vitale even mention that lineup and its pros/cons. Nit pickin, but still.

[HALLGATOR]

I am some kind of happy with the way Casey played tonight. That is a huge part of what we needed.

[gatorev12]

Of course you can't play extended minutes with a combo forward at the five and a backup wing at the four. But who would try and play their fourth and fifth "bigs" together for extended minutes? The bigger question is whether you can hold your ground with that lineup for short stretches, which we did.

Good call--being able to hold out own for short stretches gives us one more option down the stretch and into tournament time when it might be needed and/or could potentially take an opponent by surprise.

[bakaduin]

Casey looked like Chuck Hayes out there! He really held his own against the UK bigs.

[InstiGATOR1]

I liked that line up too. It will be even better when it is Wilbekin, Boynton, Rosario, Prather and Yeguete when Yeguete gets back. It is a very nice change of pace.

[akaGatorhoops]

It worked but not something will be able to go to often. Uk is a unique team in the sense that their interior players are offensively challenged. Still. A fantastic job by our guys!

[HALLGATOR]

Wilbekin-Prather slam play was once of the best of the year.

[UFreak]

Wilbekin-Prather slam play was once of the best of the year.

No doubt

[madgator]

Did anyone catch that sequence where SW got matchup in the post against Noel and they couldn't get the entry pass in?


that was probably the best defense (on an individual effort) I have seen in college basketball in years.

Noel kept trying to angle and reposition to the feeder, probably 3 or 4 times. Scotty straight up cut him off, held his ground and denied the feed.

Please tell me someone else saw that sequence? First half, with the small group. Maybe 3-4 minutes left in the 1st half.


probably the best 10 seconds of basketball I have seen in a gator uniform in the past 5 years....

YES.....I went there!

[gatorbogey]

impressed how prather battled out there during that time. you spread the floor and you can out quick the bigs to the ball.

[grant1]

We went with the small lineup against MSU on Saturday and worked then, too. Expect to see it every game to rest Young and Murphy at same time.

[MadduxFanII]

Interestingly, I didn't hear Vitale even mention that lineup and its pros/cons. Nit pickin, but still.

Yeah, I had the same reaction. I saw the lineup at the foul line, thought, "That looks awfully small," and kept waiting for Vitale or Nessler to say, "And Florida going with a very small lineup right now. Tallest player is Casey Prather at 6'6." Seemed like kind of an important point, and they never mentioned it.

[grant1]

Yeah, I had the same reaction. I saw the lineup at the foul line, thought, "That looks awfully small," and kept waiting for Vitale or Nessler to say, "And Florida going with a very small lineup right now. Tallest player is Casey Prather at 6'6." Seemed like kind of an important point, and they never mentioned it.

They were, as usual, too wrapped up in their own bravado to actually call the game in front of them.

[NorthCaptivaGator]

Did anyone catch that sequence where SW got matchup in the post against Noel and they couldn't get the entry pass in?


that was probably the best defense (on an individual effort) I have seen in college basketball in years.

Noel kept trying to angle and reposition to the feeder, probably 3 or 4 times. Scotty straight up cut him off, held his ground and denied the feed.

Please tell me someone else saw that sequence? First half, with the small group. Maybe 3-4 minutes left in the 1st half.


probably the best 10 seconds of basketball I have seen in a gator uniform in the past 5 years....

YES.....I went there!


I saw it, it was a thing of beauty, still don't know why they didn't just lob it toward the basket like they would have done with Davis in the same situation, not sure if the difference is in the guards, in Noel or a combination of both. Prather did the same to Poythress a couple of times in the second half, they couldn't get him a touch against him and when they did all he could do was charge. Great Defense!

[demosthenes]

Marquette has used a small lineup with success for years. I don't see why we couldn't for short periods. I like the idea of periodically testing other teams' legs.

[tegator80]

I have to believe that is depends on the team we are playing. I bet the reason for using it was because the UK guards' heads weren't in the game so quick defenders were able to counter their height.

But one thing I have noticed, and again it may be who we played, but Casey playing the blocks is an athletic mismatch and he seems to relish the role.

[bakaduin]

Did anyone catch that sequence where SW got matchup in the post against Noel and they couldn't get the entry pass in?


that was probably the best defense (on an individual effort) I have seen in college basketball in years.

Noel kept trying to angle and reposition to the feeder, probably 3 or 4 times. Scotty straight up cut him off, held his ground and denied the feed.

Please tell me someone else saw that sequence? First half, with the small group. Maybe 3-4 minutes left in the 1st half.


probably the best 10 seconds of basketball I have seen in a gator uniform in the past 5 years....

YES.....I went there!

I saw it and absolutely loved it.

Though I also want to point out there was a play where Boynton boxed out Noel (to perfection) to grab a rebound. Noel went over the back and stole the ball knocking Boynton down in the process without a call. Sometimes I think even the refs are surprised when a little guy does such a good job on a big.