What Do We Know About This Team?

[GreenNNScaly]

Granted its only been 2 exhibitions against overmatched opponents BUT...

I'm encouraged for several reasons.

1. Freshman or not, Kenny Boynton is an athletic scorer. He is a legit threat at the 2 and it's been a while since we've had a player like him.

2. This team has improved depth. Murphy and Kadjii are 2 guys that will provide some solid pop off the bench.

3. Conditioning. Everyone seems in better shape - particularly Shipman and Parsons.

4. Players Buying In. Particularly Shipman seems to be finding a way to have a positive impact within the scope of Billyball.

5. Chemistry. I'm hoping that with the improved athleticism and conditioning will come better chemistry this season. I would love to see better ball movement, fewer mistakes and less scoring droughts than we have seen the last two seasons.

Any thoughts or comments???

[tampajack1]

We need to wait for the real games to start, but I agree with you.

[GatorLurker]

Originally Posted by GreenNNScaly

Any thoughts or comments???

Here are my thoughts:

Defense will be a work in progress all year. Rotations were beyond slow at the beginning of the game. At that point they were virtually non-existent. It was horrible to watch.

Rebounding fundamentals need a lot of work.

I was disturbed that most of the steals from the press tonight were on the ball steals and not intercepted passes. We won't get many of those type steals against SEC caliber opponents.

KB being a freshman stud was kind of a given so I won't sing his praises even though he is worthy of that. Instead I will say that I am very impressed with Eric Murphy. He will be a good one.

The "O" part of the game looks to be OK. We have a couple of serious scoring options and can have more than one on the floor at all times. I worry much more about the "D" part of the game. The "D" part is MUCH more important if you wnat to have a great season.

[GatorPlanet]

There are always a lot of things to work on at the start of every season. Team defense lags, offenses commit turnover after turnover.

This team has plenty to work on, but I'm optimistic because of what I'm hearing and I think we're going to be pretty good.

Stetson may not be tough, but they'll be a considerable step up in competition from our exhibition games. We'll begin to see what we've got then.

[gatorev12]

Good post Green...think you hit the nail on the head about the improved conditioning and better depth in most areas.

Parsons and Shipman have started out the season looking good and knowing full well what they need to do and where they need to be on the court. Having them play up to their potential this year could easily bring us 3-4 more victories.

Also, it is very encouraging to see Boynton and Murphy starting the season so hot. As has been said, the Stetson game will go a long way to determining where this team is at.

[bachikarn]

Looks encouraging, but we'll have to wait till the SEC season or our good OOC gamrd to see what our team is made of. I remember Adam Allen looked like a huge baller in the beginning of his freshman season, but then almost disappeared during SEC. The competition really does get significantly harder.

[mazeltovGator]

I agree with bachikarn. I think the only thing you can tell is if someone can shoot from long range. Otherwise, these games don't mean too much. You can have an idea about certain players and what they might be able to do, but its against way inferior competition.

Go Gators!

[akaGATORHOOPS]

I see a team that is generally more athletic, deeper and provides a greater variety of lineup options.

We will see a return to Billy-Ball, imo.

There will be both bad losses and great wins, but I think we will like this team.

[ThePlayer]

Originally Posted by mazeltovGator

I agree with bachikarn. I think the only thing you can tell is if someone can shoot from long range. Otherwise, these games don't mean too much. You can have an idea about certain players and what they might be able to do, but its against way inferior competition.

Go Gators!

I beg to differ with you on a couple of other points:

I can tell we have a player in Kenny Boynton who can create his own shot regardless of the level of competition.
He'll be a double-digit scorer for us night-in and night-out with Walker assisting.

I can also tell that Shipman is a serious SEC-quality baller and he'll make a huge impact this year.

[ThePlayer]

Originally Posted by bachikarn

Looks encouraging, but we'll have to wait till the SEC season or our good OOC gamrd to see what our team is made of. I remember Adam Allen looked like a huge baller in the beginning of his freshman season, but then almost disappeared during SEC. The competition really does get significantly harder.

With all due respect, Adam Allen isn't in the same universe as a Kenny Boynton, nor even near a neighboring planet like a Shipman in terms of athletic capability.
Those folks are worlds apart much like apples and pumpkins.

[FranceGator]

I've heard it mentioned in the last two years that we didn't have enough numbers to have good practices. Even if young, at least we shouldn't have to go to walk-ons to field a good scrimmage at practice.

[oneatatime]

Billy D often talks about the biggest improvement occurring between the first and second years.

Shipman often looked lost in the offense last year and did seem to buy into a role as a defensive specialist. All indications are that with the better shape he is in, he'll be a major contributor this year

Kadjii showed flashes last year and i hope he is in better condition. If so, he could be the starter by the time sec play begins.

[gatorev12]

Originally Posted by akaGATORHOOPS

I see a team that is generally more athletic, deeper and provides a greater variety of lineup options.

We will see a return to Billy-Ball, imo.

There will be both bad losses and great wins, but I think we will like this team.

Agreed.

Though I think by "bad" losses, I'd say "tough" losses. I don't really see this year's team getting blown out or steamrolled by many opponents. We have interior depth and, at least in the early going, a strong commitment to defense by two players who have the ability to provide it (Shipman and Parsons).

[themistocles]

Well Green, I tend to agree.

Lots of areas requiring work, but improved conditioning, experience and depth should help a lot this year.

[Go2gtr]

A disenchanted leader has left, important elements have been added allowing the aligning of players to their natural position, talent and depth have gone up, and probably most importantly Billy has the team back. They really want to play for him this year.