ESPN Updated 2013 recruiting Top 100

[InstiGATOR1]

ESPN has updated their list:

3. Randle
9. Hill
14. C. Walker

A bit of a drop for Walker.


Here is a link to their entire list:

http://espn.go.com/college-sports/basketball/recruiting/playerrankings/_/order/true

[ThePlayer]

What is our realistic chance of landing Randle?

Is Kentucky getting ready to take over college basketball again?
I've never seen such a parade of top notch players going to one school before.

[jcp]

Kentucky is ridiculous.

[UFG8rGuy3283]

What is our realistic chance of landing Randle?

Is Kentucky getting ready to take over college basketball again?
I've never seen such a parade of top notch players going to one school before.

I don't think Randle has any idea where he's going. People are saying its down to Texas and Kansas but UK is making a strong push if Wiggins goes to FSU...blah, blah, blah...won't be until late in the process per everyone I've talked to, fwiw.

I would guess we're behind at this.point, but never underestimate that Julius really enjoyed playing for Billy over the summer.

Completely random guess is Texas unless Barnes is canned. He idolizes Durant.

[Brewski]

Didn't UK have the number 1 class this year as well? Noel, Poythress, Goodwin and Cauley?

I'm not scared of the full 1 and dones anymore. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.

[InstiGATOR1]

My views on the first few topics raised are:

1. My guess is Randle is not going to UK. If there is anything to the don't getting along with the Harrison's talk, then this meltdown at PG for UK this year can not be encouraging to Randle. I guess I could see him going to any of UF, UK, and UTx. I have a harder time seeing him at OU with Kruger or NCSU but you never know.

2. I do not see UK as having a very good class for 2013. Right now they have Johnson at the 5, Lee at the 4 another reason Randle is not so likely there and a buch of 3s. I do not see a PG again and I am not sure there is a good perimeter shooter among the group. They signed people in the fall like they did not expect to get Parker, Randle or Wiggens. They did not get Parker and I am not sure what Gordon would add either.

[UFG8rGuy3283]

My views on the first few topics raised are:

1. My guess is Randle is not going to UK. If there is anything to the don't getting along with the Harrison's talk, then this meltdown at PG for UK this year can not be encouraging to Randle. I guess I could see him going to any of UF, UK, and UTx. I have a harder time seeing him at OU with Kruger or NCSU but you never know.

2. I do not see UK as having a very good class for 2013. Right now they have Johnson at the 5, Lee at the 4 another reason Randle is not so likely there and a buch of 3s. I do not see a PG again and I am not sure there is a good perimeter shooter among the group. They signed people in the fall like they did not expect to get Parker, Randle or Wiggens. They did not get Parker and I am not sure what Gordon would add either.

I would agree that I don't think he goes to UK in the end, but probably not because of the Harrisons. Randle indicated in December that if there was a PG he would like to play with it was Harrison, amazingly enough. I don't know. It's probably just my O&B glasses, but if there was any PG I would want to play with that was a freshman, it would be Hill. Add to it that Wilbekin is playing out of his mind this year and I would hope that bodes well for us. At this point, though, who the heck knows with that kid.

I think UK's class is shaping up to be a pretty good one. I certainly think they'll be athletic and talented. I agree that I"m not sure how the Harrisons transition to the college game but they have a few built in advantages by growing up playing together and being able to have familiar people on campus with them away from home. If UK lands Wiggins, they'll be tough to beat. That kid is pretty special.

[g8rboy]

They can take in all the "one and dones" they want, if they play with a "me first" attitude, they won't win titles

[ThePlayer]

They can take in all the "one and dones" they want, if they play with a "me first" attitude, they won't win titles

Who do you see as our starting 5 next year to counter theirs?

[Brewski]

Who do you see as our starting 5 next year to counter theirs?

The same question could have been asked after the 2012 class: how could we have ever countered Noel, Poythress, Goodwin and Cauley? They have so much talent how can we compete???

Experience and coaching.

[UFG8rGuy3283]

The same question could have been asked after the 2012 class: how could we have ever countered Noel, Poythress, Goodwin and Cauley? They have so much talent how can we compete???

Experience and coaching.

As excited as I am for next year, let's not get too confident. Next years UK class could be pretty special.

[REM08]

My views on the first few topics raised are:

1. My guess is Randle is not going to UK. If there is anything to the don't getting along with the Harrison's talk, then this meltdown at PG for UK this year can not be encouraging to Randle. I guess I could see him going to any of UF, UK, and UTx. I have a harder time seeing him at OU with Kruger or NCSU but you never know.

2. I do not see UK as having a very good class for 2013. Right now they have Johnson at the 5, Lee at the 4 another reason Randle is not so likely there and a buch of 3s. I do not see a PG again and I am not sure there is a good perimeter shooter among the group. They signed people in the fall like they did not expect to get Parker, Randle or Wiggens. They did not get Parker and I am not sure what Gordon would add either.

You've been consistent in your take about UK's class, I'll give you that. Time will tell about Andrew at the point, I'm pretty confident. The other two guards are certainly not just "3's" though. Both will be shooting guards in the NBA and can play either the 2 or 3 in college. No one in college basketball (that I can think of at least) will match UK's size next year. Also, all three guards are very good perimeter shooters.

The concerns some of you post about "one and dones" and "me first" attitudes are unfounded IMO. The one year Cal hasn't had significant success at UK was this year and it wasn't because of either issue. I think UK and Florida are the top 2 teams next year.

[NoahBeanBizzel]

As excited as I am for next year, let's not get too confident. Next years UK class could be pretty special.

I'm with you, but we'll have the toys to be even better than Kentucky. Harris and Finney-Smith are two excellent prospects, who will give us quality minutes, defense and size up front. Plus, we'll be adding Walker. Unless Young puts together a monster second half of the season, and just completely goes off in the tournament, I think he'll benefit from another year. He's a good athlete, who needs a bit more polish offensively. I think he-along with Prather-returns. Plus Yeguete. That's the best front court in basketball.

I'll be interested to see how good Hill is out of the gate. I'm not worried about the loss of Boynton at all. The rotation of Frazier, Hill and Wilbekin will be sick by this time of next year. What's the deal with Ogbueze?

We could legitimately rotate ten players by the time we get into the middle of the SEC schedule if Young decides to come back. Wow.

[xenythx]

I'm not too worried about Kentucky next year... unless they get Wiggins. Then I start getting a little nervous.

[gatormoe1]

You've been consistent in your take about UK's class, I'll give you that. Time will tell about Andrew at the point, I'm pretty confident. The other two guards are certainly not just "3's" though. Both will be shooting guards in the NBA and can play either the 2 or 3 in college. No one in college basketball (that I can think of at least) will match UK's size next year. Also, all three guards are very good perimeter shooters.

The concerns some of you post about "one and dones" and "me first" attitudes are unfounded IMO. The one year Cal hasn't had significant success at UK was this year and it wasn't because of either issue. I think UK and Florida are the top 2 teams next year.

Call has used this strategy throughout his coaching career and its only worked one single time.

[REM08]

Call has used this strategy throughout his coaching career and its only worked one single time.

False. For many reasons. His only strategy is getting the best players he can to play at his school. He's gotten better players at Kentucky and has been at UK 4 years. In 4 years he has 3 elite eights, 2 final fours and a national championship. Things "worked" more than just one year.

If your definition of "working" is a title (thats a poor definition by the way) then Cal's strategy has "worked" 25% of the time. What % of time has Donovan's strategy "worked"? By stating this, I'm only pointing out how your logic doesn't work and isn't an accurate way to determine success. I'm not trying to say Cal is better than Billy.

Cal will have up years and down years at Kentucky and there will be more of both.

[gatormoe1]

Cal has tried this strategy every place he has gone. Don't act like Kentucky is the only place he has coached. If you're going to try to get all one and dones, push them out to reload, you better win more titles. He has one.

[Matthanuf06]

Cal has tried this strategy every place he has gone. Don't act like Kentucky is the only place he has coached. If you're going to try to get all one and dones, push them out to reload, you better win more titles. He has one.

Why does his strategy require more titles than another strategy? That makes no sense to me.

[REM08]

Cal has tried this strategy every place he has gone. Don't act like Kentucky is the only place he has coached. If you're going to try to get all one and dones, push them out to reload, you better win more titles. He has one.

I understand you don't like Cal. You don't need to. But please tell me you understand how its easier to have success and recruit better to certain schools? You with me?

Think Billy wins two titles at Eastern Kentucky U? You also don't seem to have noticed that the landscape of college basketball changes as you progress through the years. Recruiting rules and NBA early entry rules evolve. Cal has barely 4 years worth of pertinant data seeing as how his former schools were mid-majors. He didn't recruit as well or win as much when he was a middle school student either. But I don't see why that matters.

[gatormoe1]

Why does his strategy require more titles than another strategy? That makes no sense to me.

Why is it hard to figure out? If you're going to get the best of the best, push them out after a year just to get the next years best, you'd better be winning titles doing it.

Otherwise, you need to change up your strategy and get some "projects" that may be around for 3-4 years to provide leadership. If you notice, his only championship team had a good amount of leadership, even if the guys were subpar.

[gatormoe1]

I understand you don't like Cal. You don't need to. But please tell me you understand how its easier to have success and recruit better to certain schools? You with me?

Think Billy wins two titles at Eastern Kentucky U? You also don't seem to have noticed that the landscape of college basketball changes as you progress through the years. Recruiting rules and NBA early entry rules evolve. Cal has barely 4 years worth of pertinant data seeing as how his former schools were mid-majors. He didn't recruit as well or win as much when he was a middle school student either. But I don't see why that matters.

Umm, Billy built this basketball program from the ground up, the right way, while not coming close to vacating wins. Calimari has tried to recruit one and dones from day one and had 1 year winning the title. One and Done teams do not typically win championships and the way he does things doesn't work. You can throw your arms up all you want and throw a fit but I really don't care. Only when Calimari had a team with decent leadership did he win a title.

The only way Kentucky is winning another one is if he can learn how to develop Jr's and Sr's instead of pushing out Freshman every year.

[REM08]

Umm, Billy built this basketball program from the ground up, the right way, while not coming close to vacating wins. Calimari has tried to recruit one and dones from day one and had 1 year winning the title. One and Done teams do not typically win championships and the way he does things doesn't work. You can throw your arms up all you want and throw a fit but I really don't care. Only when Calimari had a team with decent leadership did he win a title.

The only way Kentucky is winning another one is if he can learn how to develop Jr's and Sr's instead of pushing out Freshman every year.

Haha, by the 4th "calimari" it becomes clear we're really not having a rational discussion. Luckily for both of us we'll get to wait around and see if Cal gets another title. If he does, I'm sure you'll be quick to point out that it was only because of this or that and that it'll never happen again. People wrote off last years UK team also before they won it. People like you don't change your mind, you just shift the narrative to continue allowing you to feel the same way you did before.

[gymgator]

It won't matter if our starting 5 if better than UK's, because our next 5 will be better than most starting teams. We will run and press more than ever before next year, as it will be the deepest and most experienced team Billy has ever had.

5- Harris, Walker
4- Yeguette, DFS
3- Prather, Walker
2- Frazier, Graham
1- Wilbekin, Hill, Braxton

If we add Young & Randle, forget it. We will be in beast mode for 40 straight minutes.

[gatormoe1]

Haha, by the 4th "calimari" it becomes clear we're really not having a rational discussion. Luckily for both of us we'll get to wait around and see if Cal gets another title. If he does, I'm sure you'll be quick to point out that it was only because of this or that and that it'll never happen again. People wrote off last years UK team also before they won it. People like you don't change your mind, you just shift the narrative to continue allowing you to feel the same way you did before.

A Kentucky fan talking about having a rational convo? LMFAO!!!

That's rich.

[InstiGATOR1]

A few more thoughts on some of the Non UF/UK back and forth:

1. In recruiting and in lots of other places you have read between the lines. As soon as someone leaked that Randle did not care for the Harrison twins who are from the same general area as him, Randle started saying how wonderful they are. Maybe he means it and the report was unfounded, maybe not. Had he had mentioned Kabongo at UTx and Hill along with the Harrison kids, I would have been more willing to believe him. But I can always be wrong about it and Randle was being sincere and was misreported. [Sort of related I once again read Chandler Parson's sarcastic comment about Calathes not being able to jump over a phone book on another thread like the poster took it seriously. Calathes is not a great athlete by any means, but certainly has some lift and to see Parson's obvious sarcastic needle of his friend discussed as a fact boggles my mind.]

2. When it comes to Young, I think most players follow their plan after the season. In season you do not usually think of leaving. Young's plan reportedly was to get a degree in 3 years and leave UF for the NBA. That makes sense to me and I think he will rather easily be a first round pick. The combination of an NBA body, a good head on that body and a talented productive player will be too much for some NBA team to pass up.

3. I still see UF as very talented with:

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

That is without Ogbueze or D.Walker making a big move. That means their is room for Randle. That is another deep flexible team. To me is will the defensive effort continue over to next season. I think with Wilbekin still here, it may very well even among the Frosh.

[Noahtogo24]

UK prob will have the number one class again, but Florida is still going to be deeply talent next season. You have the two five stars coming in, the two transfers, Wilbekin, Yeguete, Frazier and Prather returning plus whatever the three current freshmen Walker, Graham and Ogbueze can bring next season. And there still is the chance we get Randle or Young returns for his senior season.

[tampajack1]

Assuming that we do not get Randle, I do not see next year's Gators being as good as this year's Gators. IMO, there will be a drop off from Boynton and Rosario to Hill and Frazier, and there will be a drop off from Murphy to Walker. IMO, there also will be a drop off from Young to Harris. We likely will not be a great 3-point shooting team next season. Let's hope that Young returns and that Dodo is great. If Dodo turns out to be a great 3-point shooter, then I could change my opinion. However, the loss of Boynton, Rosario, Murphy and Young would be huge, and Kasey Hill likely will not be as good next season as most of you think.

[BengermanV]

Eh, Kentucky is going to have a great class no matter how you look at it. If they add Wiggins they'll be hard to stop, but if there will be a team to do it, it would be us. Assuming Young leaves you have:

Wilbekin/Hill
Hill/Frazier
Prather/Finney-Smith
Walker/Yeguete
Harris

This means that aside from our 5 position, our backups would be better than 95% of college basketball's starting lineups. Lots of experience around the board too.

Unless Kentucky gets Wiggins, I'd still take our team next year over theirs, with or without Young/Randle. If Young stays, we'll be the best team in the SEC no matter who comes to Kentucky. Still, it's a testament to how great that class of theirs is if they are on a similar level as we are next year.

[Osiris_DPM]

What is our realistic chance of landing Randle?

Is Kentucky getting ready to take over college basketball again?
I've never seen such a parade of top notch players going to one school before.

My information as of last week (and it can't come from a higher source) is that Randle is not coming to UF as of this time. That may change if Chris Walker does not qualify. He just took the ACT so we will see how that progresses, but they plan on him getting here as of now. It is not believed that he plans on choosing UK, for the same reason that UF is not getting his commitment. He hasn't committed yet, so he's leaving the possibilities open, but I'd watch that closely as if he does commit to Texas in the near future, it could mean that there's good news regarding Walker's qualification.

That aside, I don't care about some website's ever rotating rankings of various HS players. Chris Walker is a mega recruit and he is expected by UF people to make an immediate impact next season. Kasey Hill is coming from a Kevin Boyle program (Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Kyrie Irving, among others) so he is fully expected to be prepared to play at a college level on both ends of the floor from day 1. This class is likely finished unless there is a qualification problem, in which case they will address other options, including Randle.

[Osiris_DPM]

Who do you see as our starting 5 next year to counter theirs?

Our starting 5 next season is not what counters and prevails when you consider this discussion, you have to look at our 9-man rotation:

Wilbekin
Hill
Frazier II
Prather
Finney-Smith
Yeguete
C. Walker
Harris
Young (according to Pat, and former players advising him, he plans on returning as of now. I know instigator thinks otherwise, but I've sat with people at games who break down every time he's out of position, takes an extra dribble, over-thinks an open look, posts up in the wrong spot, etc, which is hurting his draft status and likelihood of pro success and he acknowledges that he is working on those things. This plan likely changes if we go on a championship run highlighted by dominant play by him and he becomes a projected high lottery pick which he currently is not)

That is basically two lines of players that are talented enough to compete for the SEC title on their own. We will be deep, athletic, and extremely talented, with a lot of veteran leadership. That may also be one of the best defensive teams from top to bottom you will ever see around here, considering the addition of a dominant shot blocker in Harris (2nd in the SEC to Anthony Davis last year). You guys will just have to wait and see the kind of player Dorian Finney-Smith is. His performance in practice makes one drool at the looks he is going to give us on both ends next season. Because of the number of threats we'll have on the court at any given time, our court spacing will give Chris Walker lots of opportunities to put his incredible athleticism on display to get buckets in the pick and roll, and he has good range on his jumper. He plays with a chip on his shoulder and is an aggressive scorer when he attacks the bucket, and I believe he will quickly learn to put that to use once he gets some practice at UF.

Of course, we know the benefits Wilbekin, Yeguete, and Young bring to the table, and they will continue to improve offensively by next season as they are all working on things on that end. Add in some consistency by Prather and the continued development of Frazier II (deadly 3 point shooter, good defender).

In sum, I think any team in the country will have an extremely tough time matching up with our depth and handling our defense. This is a team that would match up very favorably against last year's UK team, so a group of freshmen, no matter how highly touted, has a lot of work to do to live up to that standard (especially considering that team featured two talented sophomores in Jones & Lamb (also 5-star recruits), and a senior in Miller). Even if one or two of the 5-star players on this UK team were to return (which is unlikely, IMO), none of those that could foreseeably return are comparable on the court to the impact Jones or Lamb provided.

So while UK will probably get tons of media love and the preseason #1 ranking, I think people will quickly see that UF is going to be a force to be reckoned with and perceptions about UK's likely waltz through the SEC will be re-evaluated

[jonbrowna]

Assuming that we do not get Randle, I do not see next year's Gators being as good as this year's Gators. IMO, there will be a drop off from Boynton and Rosario to Hill and Frazier, and there will be a drop off from Murphy to Walker. IMO, there also will be a drop off from Young to Harris. We likely will not be a great 3-point shooting team next season. Let's hope that Young returns and that Dodo is great. If Dodo turns out to be a great 3-point shooter, then I could change my opinion. However, the loss of Boynton, Rosario, Murphy and Young would be huge, and Kasey Hill likely will not be as good next season as most of you think.

There might be drop off as the guards and the forwards, but i think the defense at the 5 will be better harris a helluva of shot blocker he was 2nd behind davis last year in the sec not alot of people will get noticed with how good davis was. Young is not a great shot blocker he is just so big he is hard to post up. Harris could be are best shot blocker in awhile even better the noah. Next year team could be very special. Uf would finally have the shot blocker on the back end to protect the guards so the can play alot tighter and take more chances when u know u have a great shot blocker on the back end.

[tommyuf21]

The low post depth that we would have next year would free our guys up to be more aggressive. Presumably, with Young returning, we will be two deep at the 5. When was the last time we could say that?

[REM08]

Our starting 5 next season is not what counters and prevails when you consider this discussion, you have to look at our 9-man rotation:

Wilbekin
Hill
Frazier II
Prather
Finney-Smith
Yeguete
C. Walker
Harris
Young (according to Pat, and former players advising him, he plans on returning as of now. I know instigator thinks otherwise, but I've sat with people at games who break down every time he's out of position, takes an extra dribble, over-thinks an open look, posts up in the wrong spot, etc, which is hurting his draft status and likelihood of pro success and he acknowledges that he is working on those things. This plan likely changes if we go on a championship run highlighted by dominant play by him and he becomes a projected high lottery pick which he currently is not)

That is basically two lines of players that are talented enough to compete for the SEC title on their own. We will be deep, athletic, and extremely talented, with a lot of veteran leadership. That may also be one of the best defensive teams from top to bottom you will ever see around here, considering the addition of a dominant shot blocker in Harris (2nd in the SEC to Anthony Davis last year). You guys will just have to wait and see the kind of player Dorian Finney-Smith is. His performance in practice makes one drool at the looks he is going to give us on both ends next season. Because of the number of threats we'll have on the court at any given time, our court spacing will give Chris Walker lots of opportunities to put his incredible athleticism on display to get buckets in the pick and roll, and he has good range on his jumper. He plays with a chip on his shoulder and is an aggressive scorer when he attacks the bucket, and I believe he will quickly learn to put that to use once he gets some practice at UF.

Of course, we know the benefits Wilbekin, Yeguete, and Young bring to the table, and they will continue to improve offensively by next season as they are all working on things on that end. Add in some consistency by Prather and the continued development of Frazier II (deadly 3 point shooter, good defender).

In sum, I think any team in the country will have an extremely tough time matching up with our depth and handling our defense. This is a team that would match up very favorably against last year's UK team, so a group of freshmen, no matter how highly touted, has a lot of work to do to live up to that standard (especially considering that team featured two talented sophomores in Jones & Lamb (also 5-star recruits), and a senior in Miller). Even if one or two of the 5-star players on this UK team were to return (which is unlikely, IMO), none of those that could foreseeably return are comparable on the court to the impact Jones or Lamb provided.

So while UK will probably get tons of media love and the preseason #1 ranking, I think people will quickly see that UF is going to be a force to be reckoned with and perceptions about UK's likely waltz through the SEC will be re-evaluated



If by this you're saying that next years UF team will be a better team and would beat last years UK team, I definitely disagree. That still, IMO, leaves a lot of room for them to be quite dominant though. Both UK and UF will have players that are unproven - obviously more for UK. This won't be like the 04's returning for a second title where there really weren't unknown variables.

[tommyuf21]

I think he's saying that we would match up favorably. Interpret that how you wish, but I don't think he is saying that they would definitely beat last year's UK team. He's saying that it would be a better team than last year and we were lacking depth in the low post last year and there was a significant talent differential.

You add Walker, Hill, DFS and Damontre Harris and last year's UK team would have a much tougher challenge as opposed to facing Walker, Boynton, last year's Murphy and Young.

I think this year's team gives last year's UK a much tougher game because we are much better defensively and have more scoring options than last year.

[madgator]

Assuming that we do not get Randle, I do not see next year's Gators being as good as this year's Gators. IMO, there will be a drop off from Boynton and Rosario to Hill and Frazier, and there will be a drop off from Murphy to Walker. IMO, there also will be a drop off from Young to Harris. We likely will not be a great 3-point shooting team next season. Let's hope that Young returns and that Dodo is great. If Dodo turns out to be a great 3-point shooter, then I could change my opinion. However, the loss of Boynton, Rosario, Murphy and Young would be huge, and Kasey Hill likely will not be as good next season as most of you think.



You're on record!

[gatordd]

many will argue but i wish we could have grabbed either Seldon or Iverson. I think they are both going to be dominant college players

[gatordd]

Who do you see as our starting 5 next year to counter theirs?

Hill
Wilby
DFS
Walker
Young/Yeguete

[gatormann]

The debate here between Osiris and Tampa Jack is excellent. Of course our real answers are another year away but it is discussion like this that makes this board often times more illuminating than the insider's forum at GC. I am very excited about the two year window that we are now in.

We lose a ton of shooting in Murphy, Rosario and Boynton. Still, I am very excited to see Finney Smith play and think he represents an upgrade and return to having a SF in the lineup next season because of his size,strength, athleticism and versatillity. How good of a shooter will he be? Can he help offset some of the loss of Murphy's shooting? Does his presence as a third rebounder mean that Florida should dominate the glass?

There appears to be a very realistic chance for Young to return. It isn't guaranteed but it definitely could happen. If that happens, our front court could turn out to feature 2 very strong players at all three positions. That's very exciting.

Walker represents a clear upgrade in physical athleticism over Murphy but can he be equally productive? Walker certainly can block shots, will he be an upgrade as an overall defender? You would expect that he would be a superior rebounder but he is just a freshman. Nobody should expect him to match Murphy as a shooter but can he be equally productive in his offense? Will he be even a solid 3 point shooter as a freshman?

Going into next fall, there appears to be 3 guards that will divide up the bulk of the minutes at the point and two - Willbekin, Hill, and Frazier. Who gets the start at pg? If Willbekin starts at the point, can Hill even be effective as a 2? On the other hand, you know exactly what you are getting with steady Wilbekin at the point. With his outstanding defense, Wilbekin has to get a lot of minutes but he can be just as good a defender at the 2 but wouldn't you like more scoring from this position? Does that keep Frazier as our first guard off the bench? Minutes at the 3, would appear to be dominated by Doe Doe and Prather - who everyone should know still is just realizing his great potential.

What is easy to see, is that as early as it is, Florida will have a very talented team next season. While there are plenty of good questions to answer, it also appears that it could actually surpass this year's very veteran team.

[tampajack1]

Here is how I view things:

You can't accurately judge which team is better by comparing position by position. It's a cliche, but you have to look at the sum of the parts. It's the sum of the parts that makes this year's team a potential national champion.

Defensively, this year's Gators are about as good as I have ever seen. You rarely see a player out of position on defense. The help defense is extraordinary, and the helper amost always has been able to get back to cover his man. Patric Young has been brilliant defensively. He moves his feet as well as you will see, and he can't be backed down. He also has been tremendous helping out on defense. Because of Patric's great defense, we have had little need to double the low post. As much as I have been drooling over Demontre Hill and his shot blocking, I don't think that it is possible for him to play better defense than what Patric is doing this year.

Eric Murphy also has been rock solid defensively. Lat year, Eric was noticeable on defense for his lack of moving his feet and his letting guys go by him. Not this year. You don't notice Eric on defense because he is doing his job.

Wilbekin, Boynton and Yeguette all have been lock down defenders this year. Wilbekin and Yeguette have to be considered 2 of the best defenders in the country. Prather is a solid defender and Rosario has become more than adequate. All in all, the Gators certainly can make an argument for being the best defensive team in the country.

On offense, no one moves the ball better than the Gators. This team is as unselfish as you will see. They get people the ball for the open shot, and the shots are getting knocked down. Murphy, Rosario and Frazier are phenomenal perimeter shooters when open, and Wilbekin is not far behind. We also have several players (Wilbekin, Boynton and Rosario) who can get to the basket and score.

Finally, this year's team can rebound the ball. Everyone rebounds, with Young, Murphy, Yeguete, Prather and Frazier being very good rebounders.

So, in sum, this year's Gators team (assuming Yeguette comes back) has all the parts (including the depth) to win it all.

As for next year, we will have a ton of talent, especially if Young comes back, but we will not be as good a shooting team, and I cannot imagine us being a better defensive team or passing team. I'm not saying that next year's team can't make a national title run, but I don't believe that it will have all of the pieces that can be found on this year's team.

[tommyuf21]

I think we'll be better in one area next year that has been a bit of thorn in our side and that's low post depth. If Young stays, big IF (I know), we'll have more fouls to give there.

In my opinion, our biggest weakness is what happens when Patric and Erik get in foul trouble.