Strokes Post Game Comments

[108]

Adds a little salt to the wound


"I feel like we're the better team. They're ranked, but I feel like we're the better team."

"I'm not really even celebrating, man. We expected to beat these guys."

[G8RNTN]

If they are the better team then why does their record say different??? Caught a hot streak while we are down some valuable players. But to go that far with that comment shows he is on a win high.

[SmootyGator]

I think they are the better team given that:

1. It's on their home court.
2. We're missing Yeguete and Frazier.

If we played at the O'dome and we had WY and MFII, we would be the better team.... by a lot.

[gatordd]

yeah they are better when we are playing with 6 guys

[btro1003]

And Wake Forest is a better team than Miami and Minnisotta than Indiana etc

[GatorNation850]

LOL enjoy the NIT UT

[gogators73]

Hopefully he gets a chance to back that statement up in Nashville.

[GothamGator]

Let's hope they are seeded opposite us in the SEC Tourney.

[ofmgator]

Hope we meet them in Nashville when we have a deeper team.

[swampgas44]

Adds a little salt to the wound

Stokes (Strokes) is just stroking it. :joecool:

[GatorRade]

I don't mind the comments. Although obviously he must have been the only one not celebrating last night. It looked like the damn fourth of July out there once the buzzer sounded.

[Jaggator]

I'm going to use Peyton Manning's saying and turn it around and apply it to us.

"Until we learn to beat them, they have the right to say what they want."

[gatordd]

I just wanna say, I'm glad we don't have Stokes on the team. Kid seems like a cancer.

[iVol4Life]

I just wanna say, I'm glad we don't have Stokes on the team. Kid seems like a cancer.

Stokes is a good guy. But, you know, whatever makes you feel better about that loss.

[REM08]

I think Stokes is a good guy and still wish we'd landed him at Kentucky. Florida fans would like him if they had him also.

I dont' know how you bash a kid for post game comments like this. Isn't that what you want players to think? He's got the right mindset whether its accurate or not.

[og8trz]

Last night's game was indicative of how ludicrous basketball officiatiing is. The foul on Patrick Young right before the half, where he may, or may not, have even touched the Vol who leaped out of bounds under his own propulsion, flailing his arms wildly in a manner which would have had WWF fans yelling fake, fake, was so absurd the guy should have been fired for calling that!

I turned it off at the half because it was evident we couldn't win with a depleted squad and playing the guys in teh ugly orange shrits and the guys in the stripes too.

[jagervol01]

I don't think he should have made those comments. He plays on a team that at least as of right now is headed for a 2nd straight NIT bid and has underachieved up until 2 weeks ago. Now having said that, there is definitely something about Florida which inspires extreme confidence in Tennessee. It is easy for Gator fans to say they would want to play Tennessee in Nashville but do you think that is who the Gator players really want to face? I saw some doubt there last night.

[gogators73]

I don't think he should have made those comments. He plays on a team that at least as of right now is headed for a 2nd straight NIT bid and has underachieved up until 2 weeks ago. Now having said that, there is definitely something about Florida which inspires extreme confidence in Tennessee. It is easy for Gator fans to say they would want to play Tennessee in Nashville but do you think that is who the Gator players really want to face? I saw some doubt there last night.

We were missing 17% of our points per game, 27% of our rebounds per game, and 20% of our minutes per game. I'd say our guys would love a chance at full strength on a neutral court.

[REM08]

We were missing 17% of our points per game, 27% of our rebounds per game, and 20% of our minutes per game. I'd say our guys would love a chance at full strength on a neutral court.

This is the 3rd thread I've had to make this point in. Florida isn't the only team in the country with injuries. That orange team you played last night is without a guy who was supposed to be their best player this year.

[tommyuf21]

I'd love to see them again. Of all of the team's that have beaten us this year, they impress me the least.

[gogators73]

This is the 3rd thread I've had to make this point in. Florida isn't the only team in the country with injuries. That orange team you played last night is without a guy who was supposed to be their best player this year.

There is an ENORMOUS difference between being without a player all year and losing guys who have been a huge part of your team.

Do you really think that is the same?

[jmoliver]

We are a final four team if Stokes had selected us instead of calling in UT lap. He is the missing puzzle piece for us. Nothing wrong with what he said.

[108]

i don't mind the confidence, but you would have no idea from his comments that UF was without 2 ingredients, and lost another late in the game

it would be hard for any team with a 6 man rotation to beat the Vols right now

[ArtVandelay]

I'm going to use Peyton Manning's saying and turn it around and apply it to us.

"Until we learn to beat them, they have the right to say what they want."

I dont' know how you bash a kid for post game comments like this. Isn't that what you want players to think? He's got the right mindset whether its accurate or not.

Agreed!

[jmoliver]

I would love to get UT in the SEC Tournament with a full complement of players on each team. Play on a neutral court. The numbers dont lie at UT but anywhere else and the Gators win in double digits.

[jagervol01]

I'd love to see them again. Of all of the team's that have beaten us this year, they impress me the least.
I can believe that and I thought for sure Florida would win big last night even while short-handed but this matchup never plays out like one would think it should on paper. I think that Stokes made these comments because he believes that although Florida is more talented they are also soft and can be pushed around.

[108]

I can believe that and I thought for sure Florida would win big last night even while short-handed but this matchup never plays out like one would think it should on paper. I think that Stokes made these comments because he believes that although Florida is more talented they are also soft and can be pushed around.

all 270 lbs of him is right

[REM08]

There is an ENORMOUS difference between being without a player all year and losing guys who have been a huge part of your team.

Do you really think that is the same?

Apparently I think the difference is much closer than you do. I understand teams get slightly better at coping with the loss of a player overtime, but it all depends on who you have to replace them with and how they improve or adapt. UT, having lost Maymon a while ago, hasn't just regenerated a similar player to him - neither have they adapted by becoming a team that is as good (or close) as they would have been with him. Both losses are big.

I will add though, that I think Florida wins by double digits on a neutral floor, healthy or not, and I do think they are the much better team. Wouldn't be shocked if we get to see this in the SEC tourney.

[gatorcwboyfan]

He can say what he wants. He played like a man last night and his team won. I'm pretty sure any UT team expects to best UF considering how much they've dominated in recent years.

[regurgigator]

I think the same Gator posters who approve of the comment would have slammed any Gator player if they had said something similar during our NIT seasons. It's just in their nature to roast our own team and players when they aren't at the level of perfection that the posters themselves personify :roll:


It's a weak comment from a player on a team that has a record of such overwhelming mediocrity.

And, it's weak of our fans to obsess over a loss to a particular team they think "has our number" in the midst of a season that's going so well overall.


But, yeah, everyone has the right to say whatever weak comments float their boat.



I don't care if we play them again or not. We've got more important fish to fry.

[MichaelJoeWilliamson]

I'm going to use Peyton Manning's saying and turn it around and apply it to us.

"Until we learn to beat them, they have the right to say what they want."

Yep

[HALLGATOR]

Go back to the start of the season and you will see we have been without one, or the other, of our players for most of the games. Yet we are headed for a high seed in the NCAA Tourney and Tenn is not.

[CAGator93]

Downplay your only win over a good team for the entire season.

I don't know -- doesn't seem like the best move.

[BengermanV]

REM, you won't hear a single excuse out of my mouth as to why we lost, but I know you watch (and have probably played) enough basketball to know that running with 6 players for 40 minutes is almost impossible. That's what that team had last night. If you watched, you'd know that having Brax and DeVon on the court is basically like having no one. Both of the guys are way undersized and under-experienced right now.

Tennessee is not better than us, but they played better than us last night.

[REM08]

REM, you won't hear a single excuse out of my mouth as to why we lost, but I know you watch (and have probably played) enough basketball to know that running with 6 players for 40 minutes is almost impossible. That's what that team had last night. If you watched, you'd know that having Brax and DeVon on the court is basically like having no one. Both of the guys are way undersized and under-experienced right now.

Tennessee is not better than us, but they played better than us last night.

Agreed. Which is why other fans should be taking last nights close loss on the road while short-handed a little better. Other than the fact that it would have been nice to win a close game just to boost confidence in those situations, last night will prove pretty meaningless. NCAA games aren't played on the road and, God-willing, you guys will have a full roster at that point.

[NorthCaptivaGator]

I think Stokes is a good guy and still wish we'd landed him at Kentucky. Florida fans would like him if they had him also.

I dont' know how you bash a kid for post game comments like this. Isn't that what you want players to think? He's got the right mindset whether its accurate or not.

God i hope we beat Uk at Rupp

[DuPontGator]

Trolls coming out...

[BEH]

REM, you won't hear a single excuse out of my mouth as to why we lost, but I know you watch (and have probably played) enough basketball to know that running with 6 players for 40 minutes is almost impossible. That's what that team had last night. If you watched, you'd know that having Brax and DeVon on the court is basically like having no one. Both of the guys are way undersized and under-experienced right now.

Tennessee is not better than us, but they played better than us last night.Many title teams play 6 players. Depth is the most overrated thing there is. Only five players can be on the court at a time. Six quality players in good shape can do it.

[HALLGATOR]

Many title teams play 6 players. Depth is the most overrated thing there is. Only five players can be on the court at a time. Six quality players in good shape can do it.

Sure, that must be it. That's why coaches only recruit a team of six players.

[BEH]

Sure, that must be it. That's why coaches only recruit a team of six players.They have 13 scholy's. How many teams play more than 7? How do you keep team continueity with more than 7?

UK won last year with basically 6.
Uconn won year before last with basically 7.
Duke won three years ago with basically 6.

[HALLGATOR]

They have 13 scholy's. How many teams play more than 7? How do you keep team continueity with more than 7?

UK won last year with basically 6.
Uconn won year before last with basically 7.
Duke won three years ago with basically 6.

How well does "basically 6" translate into 6 in your world?

[tommyuf21]

Six guys will work if all of them are playing well.

You have only six and two have subpar games, the other four better outperform their average to make up for it.

That didn't happen last night.

[tommyuf21]

I like to go 7-8 deep, because you're always going to have some players who have an off night or get into foul trouble.

Six gives you absolutely no room for error.

[NorthCaptivaGator]

Many title teams play 6 players. Depth is the most overrated thing there is. Only five players can be on the court at a time. Six quality players in good shape can do it.

Did I say I hope we beat UK at Rupp?

[gator2109]

They have 13 scholy's. How many teams play more than 7? How do you keep team continueity with more than 7?

UK won last year with basically 6.
Uconn won year before last with basically 7.
Duke won three years ago with basically 6.

UK had a 7 man rotation. Wiltjer played around 12 mins a game on average. That is significant. Also, UK almost doesn't apply here. They had NBA talent everywhere and had a better regular season than most in recent memory.

UCONN had 8 and you could even make an argument they played 10 as their last two guys still played around 25% of the total minutes they could have on the season which is about 10 mins a game each.

Duke had 8 that contributed significant minutes. Mason Plumlee and Dawkins each played around 12 minutes per game on average.

Every game is different and you will have guys get fatigued, get into foul trouble, etc. Having a 7-8+ man rotation that you can rely on to eat up some minutes when needed is invaluable.

[gator7_5]

UK had a 7 man rotation. Wiltjer played around 12 mins a game on average. That is significant. Also, UK almost doesn't apply here. They had NBA talent everywhere and had a better regular season than most in recent memory.

UCONN had 8 and you could even make an argument they played 10 as their last two guys still played around 25% of the total minutes they could have on the season which is about 10 mins a game each.

Duke had 8 that contributed significant minutes. Mason Plumlee and Dawkins each played around 12 minutes per game on average.

Every game is different and you will have guys get fatigued, get into foul trouble, etc. Having a 7-8+ man rotation that you can rely on to eat up some minutes when needed is invaluable.

Rebuttal? Nah, didn't think so.

[REM08]

Rebuttal? Nah, didn't think so.

I think the disagreement you guys are having comes down to the criteria you put on being in "the rotation" - and how you even define that.


I don't know UConn and Duke, but last year's UK team had Kyle playing 11 minutes a game, with the next least being Darius Miller at 26 per. I'm honestly not sure how I'd define last year's rotation, but I can see how some would call it a 6 man team. Its not unreasonable to suggest that Kyle's 5pts and 1.8rebounds a game were not required (when compared to what the 8th or 9th man could have done in comparison in similar minutes) to win a title last year.

So do we define a rotation by how many players average double digit minutes? Or could we call it the number of guys that really couldn't be replaced and offered valuable contributions?

Its probably a safe assumption that a team with 6 guys playing starters minutes who were each selected in the following NBA draft is probably going to be successful. The question is how applicable is this to "6 man teams" that have different circumstances.

[GothamGator]

I think Stokes is a good guy and still wish we'd landed him at Kentucky. Florida fans would like him if they had him also.

I dont' know how you bash a kid for post game comments like this. Isn't that what you want players to think? He's got the right mindset whether its accurate or not.

It's the right mindset, but better that it not be expressed. It's going to motivate us every time we face that guy from now on.

[tommyuf21]

Its probably a safe assumption that a team with 6 guys playing starters minutes who were each selected in the following NBA draft is probably going to be successful. The question is how applicable is this to "6 man teams" that have different circumstances.

The circumstances make all of the difference in the world. 6 guys, who are all future pros, and who played consistently well and had no injury issues can do it without much help.

With our injury problems this year and the lack of a dominant, game changing player, 6 isn't going to cut it.

[GothamGator]

This is the 3rd thread I've had to make this point in. Florida isn't the only team in the country with injuries. That orange team you played last night is without a guy who was supposed to be their best player this year.

I'm not sure Maymon would have been their best player, but he was certainly a huge loss.

People just look at things differently when a player is down for the year than when he's going to be coming back. He's never been a part of their team this year, so you don't really play all the "what if" games. When a guy sits down for 2-3 games, it's different. The injury seems like more of an aberration, since you still have a full strength roster that will include him.

I think it's also worth pointing out that while everyone has injuries, we've had a lot more than most. Yes, missing a guy like Maymon or Noel is huge, but we've had nearly every player on the roster go down at some point during the season. We've only had our usual 8-man rotation for 7 of our 27 games, and that doesn't include times when guys have been playing but aren't 100%. Hopefully, we can have everyone healthy and ready to go staring March 15 and thereafter (or maybe even March 9).

[gtr2x]

No problem with what he said. Vols have dominated UF since he has been there. I will say that I thought he would be the difference in the game if the Vols won, but that wasnt the case at all. He had a good game on the boards, but if anybody on the Vols should be talking it would be McRae.

[GothamGator]

UK had a 7 man rotation last year. Having Wiltjer in to give the big guys a breather was important. Not as important as a guy like Yeguete, who is basically a starter, but similar to a guy like Frazier. Without Frazier putting in quality minutes, our backcourt got gassed, and it showed in our second half shooting.

Some of you guys make Wiltjer sound like Vargas - who played in 33 games last year at an average of 6 minutes per game. I wouldn't suggest that Vargas means UK had an 8-man rotation. But, being in every game for an average of 12 minutes is pretty much average backup time.

[jareduf]

We have a really good shot to play them in the semi-final of SEC tournament. If they lose prior to that, then he's free to feel that way all the way to the NIT.

If they make it to the semi-finals, I guarantee that Florida will use these comments as extra motivation. This is a comment he may live to regret.

He is entitled to believe what he wants, but personally I wouldn't want my players giving a team that they may play again in 2 weeks even more motivation...especially Patrick Young.

[mac4lyfe]

Why are some of you using the "6 man" excuse???

Who decided to play 6 men? I don't see any NCAA rules that say you can't go deeper in your bench. I think we actually played 8 guys last night but no matter the number the only team to blame is ours. Unless you're telling me that Tennessee only allowed 6 of our players in the building???

[gator2109]

I think the disagreement you guys are having comes down to the criteria you put on being in "the rotation" - and how you even define that.


I don't know UConn and Duke, but last year's UK team had Kyle playing 11 minutes a game, with the next least being Darius Miller at 26 per. I'm honestly not sure how I'd define last year's rotation, but I can see how some would call it a 6 man team. Its not unreasonable to suggest that Kyle's 5pts and 1.8rebounds a game were not required (when compared to what the 8th or 9th man could have done in comparison in similar minutes) to win a title last year.

So do we define a rotation by how many players average double digit minutes? Or could we call it the number of guys that really couldn't be replaced and offered valuable contributions?

Its probably a safe assumption that a team with 6 guys playing starters minutes who were each selected in the following NBA draft is probably going to be successful. The question is how applicable is this to "6 man teams" that have different circumstances.

This is why I noted in my post that UK almost doesn't apply here. They had a stacked team with their starting 5 being NBA caliber, blue chip recruits. They are the exception in this argument, not the rule.

[bullish]

I don't want to face them in Nashville, that is a home game for them. The officiating will be the same. Bulldose then throw it up. When we are double teaming Stokes, then outside McRae got loose and did his damage. They, the Vols are getting it together and are winning games, that is what matters. Hopefully we both get to the finals, then with our returning mash unit will be able to overcome poor shooting and the officiating. Maybe we will win a road game with a team that has a pulse. This gator team had all these guys when we played Arz and Kansas St., so I don't know if they will be enough to pull us through, but I dam sure hope so. We live and die by the three.

[regurgigator]

Why are some of you using the "6 man" excuse???

Who decided to play 6 men? I don't see any NCAA rules that say you can't go deeper in your bench. I think we actually played 8 guys last night but no matter the number the only team to blame is ours. Unless you're telling me that Tennessee only allowed 6 of our players in the building???

We're talking about the difference between being able to put in 2 more proven contributors (one who I consider to be as important as any starter: Yeguete) versus putting in other players off the bench (yes, as many as you want, up to about 5 or 6 or so) who are not ready to contribute.


Actually, I didn't see any problems with Braxton's play although he may have been hurting us defensively and that's why Billy didn't play him much. But, Walker was definitely getting abused inside and we couldn't afford to give him any more minutes than we did IMHO.

[bullish]

Someone please cut and paste these words in the Gator locker-room!

[ArtVandelay]

It's the right mindset, but better that it not be expressed.

I agree with this. If he was asked the question, then its a different story. He should be thinking it, but probably better off not saying.