Florida is shredding everybody. How?

[chompalot]

Interesting SI article pointing out the possible impact Wilby is having on the team. The team is definitely playing at another level. Better shot selection and an emphasis on D has definitely played a huge part in the teams apparent improvement from last year's Elite-eight team. Coach Donovan seems to be pushing all of the right buttons and the players are executing to near perfection (Okay, I say that loosely).

It's a great question that I look forward to having a better answer to after I see the Gators at Arizona on Saturday.
On offense, after losing Bradley Beal and Erving Walker from last season's team, they have cobbled together a more balanced offensive distribution. The biggest thing to me is that notorious gunners Kenny Boynton and Mike Rosario have really evened out their shot distribution from last season. Boynton took almost twice as many 3s last season as 2s or free throws and he's rather close to a 1:1 ratio across the board so far this season. Rosario actually has taken 10 more 2s than 3s.
Is this the impact of subbing in pass-first point guard Scottie Wilbekin for Walker, who himself took 340 shots and another 135 free throws last season? If it is, it's also allowing stretch 4 Erik Murphy to rise to primary scoring threat level. He's easily the Gators' best perimeter shooter, and now contributes shot-wise on par with the two heavy-shot taking guards. Mix in a heavier dose of Will Yeguete this season, and the Gators have a nice inside-outside mix working.
Defensively, they have morphed into a destructive, dominant unit. They're turning opponents over at a crazy rate and, when opponents do manage to get a shot off, the Gators are No. 1 in the nation in 2-point field goal percentage defense. No one is scoring on them, and Florida has played some fairly credible teams. Can the insertion of Wilbekin and freshman Michael Frazier be that impactful? Florida's certainly bigger in the backcourt than it was last season, and maybe that's helping them with the increased amount of zone they are playing this season (as detailed in Luke Winn's Power Rankings).

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/new...#ixzz2EpuQAUmA

Also, from SI's Power Rankings:

Using the 5-8 Erving Walker at the top of a zone was problematic last season. After losing Walker and adding 6-4 Michael Frazier, 6-6 Casey Prather and 6-7 Will Yeguete to the rotation, the Gators have become longer and more athletic on D. If they shut down Florida State, Arizona and Kansas State (their three big December opponents) as well as they did Wisconsin and Marquette, then they need to be considered not just the overwhelming SEC favorite, but a real national-title contender.

One down, two to go!

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/201...#ixzz2Epza2ccL

[GatorPlanet]

Each of those points are well-informed and valid, and each point is part of the equation. I'd add to those the individual improvement in Yeguete, Young, and Wilbekin. I'd also add in the greater experience level overall. It's an upperclassmen team, which generally pays off in better teamwork on offense and defense. On defense, it's really noticeable; you hardly ever see one of these guys out of position or missing the rotation on the defensive end.

All these things are adding up to one really good team.

[oneatatime]

Originally Posted by GatorPlanet

Each of those points are well-informed and valid, and each point is part of the equation. I'd add to those the individual improvement in Yeguete, Young, and Wilbekin. I'd also add in the greater experience level overall. It's an upperclassmen team, which generally pays off in better teamwork on offense and defense. On defense, it's really noticeable; you hardly ever see one of these guys out of position or missing the rotation on the defensive end.

All these things are adding up to one really good team.

Murphy's overall game is much improved as well. He is no longer just an outside shooting big man.

[InstiGATOR1]

Originally Posted by oneatatime

Murphy's overall game is much improved as well. He is no longer just an outside shooting big man.

Actually, the first big shot he ever made as a UF player was a put back against FSU for the game winning points his Soph year. So always had an inside game.

[regurgigator]

Originally Posted by InstiGATOR1

Actually, the first big shot he ever made as a UF player was a put back against FSU for the game winning points his Soph year. So always had an inside game.

Yes, Murphy has always shown evidence of a lot of offensive skills. I think the biggest thing for him has just been getting stronger and more physically mature. I would think that in an individual skills demonstration (i.e., no defense), he would look more skilled (inside and outside) than any other big man in the Donovan era.

[GatorLurker]

Originally Posted by regurgigator

Yes, Murphy has always shown evidence of a lot of offensive skills. I think the biggest thing for him has just been getting stronger and more physically mature. I would think that in an individual skills demonstration (i.e., no defense), he would look more skilled (inside and outside) than any other big man in the Donovan era.

I like Eric's game, but Matt Bonner was incredibly skilled his Senior season and I would give him the nod.

[grant1]

Originally Posted by GatorPlanet

Each of those points are well-informed and valid, and each point is part of the equation. I'd add to those the individual improvement in Yeguete, Young, and Wilbekin. I'd also add in the greater experience level overall. It's an upperclassmen team, which generally pays off in better teamwork on offense and defense. On defense, it's really noticeable; you hardly ever see one of these guys out of position or missing the rotation on the defensive end.

All these things are adding up to one really good team.

I would add Murphy into the mix for his improved inside game. It seemed last year, his inside game was a bit timid in fear of getting his shot blocked. He seems more confident this year.

[chompalot]

I agree, good points. Yes, the team's level of maturity has definitely played a big part in their success. Besides the players increased physical strength, it seems to have, also, been instrumental in their more efficient shot selection.

As far as the defense goes, the players seem to relish playing tough D; they know how devastating they are and they're loving it. They're so much fun to watch.

[madgator]

Originally Posted by chompalot

I agree, good points. Yes, the team's level of maturity has definitely played a big part in their success. Besides the players increased physical strength, it seems to have, also, been instrumental in their more efficient shot selection.

As far as the defense goes, the players seem to relish playing tough D; they know how devastating they are and they're loving it. They're so much fun to watch.

being physically stronger leads to better shot selection? interesting correlation that I have never heard before.


perhaps it's true but I'll need a better explanation.


I think a more plausible explanation is having a more disciplined offensive mantra if you will. Along with having a situation where the whole cast of players are better able to maximize their capabilities.

the role of a point guard is to maximize team results by utilizing the capabilities of all parts and knowing how to create the correct opportunity for them to succeed.

[Go2gtr]

With Billy, defense leads to offense so defense leads to playing time. Also we are defending the perimeter.

The other factor is rebounding has been taken to a new level. Casey and Yeguete are going to the glass and now Patric has finally gotten motivated. Boynton will get his share and even Griffin is a rebounder.

Taken together these are very significant factors. They are the difference between a nice 12 point win and a 27-30 point blowout.

[GatorPlanet]

Originally Posted by Go2gtr

. Boynton will get his share and even Griffin is a rebounder.

Yes, Griffin has been incredible on the boards. Wait...who's Griffin?

[themistocles]

Originally Posted by GatorPlanet

Yes, Griffin has been incredible on the boards. Wait...who's Griffin?

I think he might have meant Dillon Graham, but he rarely sees the court, perhaps he is speaking of the mystical Griffin who haunts various fairy tales.

[chompalot]

I was referring to their level of maturity. Aren't you the one who said you scored a 99.7 in reading comprehension on your LSAT?

[madgator]

Originally Posted by chompalot

I was referring to their level of maturity. Aren't you the one who said you scored a 99.7 in reading comprehension on your LSAT?

"Yes, the team's level of maturity has definitely played a big part in their success. Besides the players increased physical strength, it seems to have, also, been instrumental in their more efficient shot selection."


Yes, and I wasn't questioning the OTHER part of your claim regarding level of maturity. I agree with that. However, you had ALSO stated that the players increased physical strength has been instrumental in their more efficient shot selection.

I don't understand why you are being defensive about this. I said that this is a correlation that I have never heard before. Maybe you're on to something new here. Please explain more in depth how this could be. I'm always up for new ideas.

[demosthenes]

It's worded a little wonky but he said maturity led to increased physical strength and better shot selection.

[themistocles]

Originally Posted by demosthenes

It's worded a little wonky but he said maturity led to increased physical strength and better shot selection.

Wonky is a good term to describe the description, but yes, that is what he said, and not that physical strength led to better shot selection.

Although, that certainly might help when one is moving an opponent out of your path and dunking over the top of them.

[chompalot]

Not being defensive, just want to make sure you don't misconstrue what I wrote.You might want to reread what I wrote.

Seems to me that I agree, good points. Yes, the team's level of maturity has definitely played a big part in their success. Besides the players increased physical strength, it seems to have, also, been instrumental in their more efficient shot selection.

(the it, in this case, is referring to the team's level of maturity and not physical strength.)

[madgator]

Originally Posted by chompalot

Not being defensive, just want to make sure you don't misconstrue what I wrote.You might want to reread what I wrote.

(the it, in this case, is referring to the team's level of maturity and not physical strength.)

my mistake, although the "it" clarification didn't help. I always knew what "it" was referring to.

the word "also" with the comma usage threw me off. That and the term "level of maturity." Which in my mind speaks to emotional maturity more than physical growth. Sorry, but never heard of a player needing to improve his "level of maturity" in regards to physical growth.

As the statement is, it read to me like emotional maturity and physcial strength has led to better shot selection.

again, my mistake.

[G8RNTN]

The Arizona game will tell us how good we really are... IMO I think we are a contender now.

[Lawdog88]

Originally Posted by madgator

my mistake, although the "it" clarification didn't help. I always knew what "it" was referring to.

the word "also" with the comma usage threw me off. That and the term "level of maturity." Which in my mind speaks to emotional maturity more than physical growth. Sorry, but never heard of a player needing to improve his "level of maturity" in regards to physical growth.

As the statement is, it read to me like emotional maturity and physcial strength has led to better shot selection.

again, my mistake.

My participles are dangling too. Happens all the time.