Practice tidbits

[Jonas]

http://brockway.blogs.gatorsports.co...irst-practice/

[rserina]

Insightful report. Thanks. I find it very interesting that Wilbekin seems to be running first team point, with Boynton behind him, likely with Ogbuieze at the two. That makes a ton of sense. If Wilbekin can start hitting that jumper off the high ball screen, then he could be the difference for this team. He already brings great defense, size, and versatility, to go with a decent handle, passing ability, pull up, finishing game, and spot up jump shooting. But that high ball screen is so important in our offense, especially late in the clock, that we need a point guard who can execute it efficiently.

[InstiGATOR1]

Actually Wilbekin brings only average to good size to the PG position, he only seems like he brings great size because UF had terrible size at the PG spot last year.

As for the high ball screen play, it does not have to lead directly to a shot by the PG. It is just a move to force the defense to make some adjustment.

[rserina]

Originally Posted by InstiGATOR1

Actually Wilbekin brings only average to good size to the PG position, he only seems like he brings great size because UF had terrible size at the PG spot last year.

At the collegiate level, 6'2" and 185 is actually quite good size. Calathes was taller, but not as strong or laterally quick. Same with Nelson. Shannon, Dupay (when he played the one), Peeps, Green, and Walker were all smaller to much smaller. The only one who brought the combination of size, strength, and athleticism we have in Wilbekin was Hamilton (thus, Donovan's referencing the latter as a comparison).

Originally Posted by InstiGATOR1

As for the high ball screen play, it does not have to lead directly to a shot by the PG. It is just a move to force the defense to make some adjustment.

True, but it has been possibly the single most effective shot in Donovan's offense over the years. That's why point guards have scored at such a high rate. Nelson, Roberson, Green, Calathes, and Walker all had seasons of 14+ ppg in no small part because Donovan gives the one the freedom and the confidence to take that shot if it is there. That is after all what made Donovan so special in Pitino's system.

[tupacbiff]

It seems people want a pass 1st pg until we get one then they want a shoot 1st pg.

Wilbekin may pass up a good shot once in a while but he doesn't take bad ones. I firmly believe he will be an excellent shooter for us.

[don23lucia]

Originally Posted by tupacbiff

It seems people want a pass 1st pg until we get one then they want a shoot 1st pg.

Wilbekin may pass up a good shot once in a while but he doesn't take bad ones. I firmly believe he will be an excellent shooter for us.

I just want a pass first that can knock down a open 3, i think wilbekin can do this to a T and he plays D

[tupacbiff]

Originally Posted by don23lucia

I just want a pass first that can knock down a open 3, i think wilbekin can do this to a T and he plays D

He did it last yr look at his shooting %

[dalwood13]

Originally Posted by tupacbiff

He did it last yr look at his shooting %

I think the point rserina is trying to make is that Wilbekin needs to be able to hit the open three off the bounce in order to make our high ball screen work, not that he needs to become a score first point guard. To this point in his career, he's only shown the ability to knock down the catch and shoot jumpers. Nobody is saying that Wilbekin can't shoot the three off the top of the high pick and roll, just that he needs to show he can to make that ball screen effective.

[tupacbiff]

Originally Posted by dalwood13

I think the point rserina is trying to make is that Wilbekin needs to be able to hit the open three off the bounce in order to make our high ball screen work, not that he needs to become a score first point guard. To this point in his career, he's only shown the ability to knock down the catch and shoot jumpers. Nobody is saying that Wilbekin can't shoot the three off the top of the high pick and roll, just that he needs to show he can to make that ball screen effective.

I get your point. However, it was effective with Hamilton and shannon running it also in different ways. Neither of those two could hit the three off the bounce.

[InstiGATOR1]

Yeah, I am not concerned about hitting the three off the bounce as much as I am concerned that he must be able to turn the corner if the switch is a step slow. That can lead to a pass which he did well last year or it can lead to an intermediate shot for the PG which is where Wilbekin struggled a bit last year.

[dalwood13]

Originally Posted by InstiGATOR1

Yeah, I am not concerned about hitting the three off the bounce as much as I am concerned that he must be able to turn the corner if the switch is a step slow. That can lead to a pass which he did well last year or it can lead to an intermediate shot for the PG which is where Wilbekin struggled a bit last year.

My biggest worry with Wilbekin is his ability to break the press. Full court pressure really rattled him at times last year.

[kygator]

Originally Posted by dalwood13

My biggest worry with Wilbekin is his ability to break the press. Full court pressure really rattled him at times last year.

If he struggles with that, we can still have Boynton bring it up the floor and then have Wilbekin run the half court offense.

[InstiGATOR1]

Alas Boynton probably has a worse handle than Wilbekin. UF will need to break presses by passing the ball unless with playing time and confidence Wilbekin has improved his handle against pressure.

[gatormoe1]

Looking forward to see if Prather can build on last year.

[themistocles]

Interesting discussion.

Since Ogbuze will apparently play mostly 2, we might see Boynton and Ogbuze facing a press on occasion. We really have no idea at this point, what kind of handle Ogbuze will exhibit when faced with quick pressing opponents.

[OhyeahIC]

Originally Posted by InstiGATOR1

Alas Boynton probably has a worse handle than Wilbekin. UF will need to break presses by passing the ball unless with playing time and confidence Wilbekin has improved his handle against pressure.

I think Boynton is as good with the ball as Wilbekin, it's a matter of experience, making mistakes and learning from it. I see kids running the point of all ages,(girls even) many of which have nowhere near the skill of Boynton but have been doing it for a while and are comfortable with it.

[InstiGATOR1]

Originally Posted by OhyeahIC

I think Boynton is as good with the ball as Wilbekin, it's a matter of experience, making mistakes and learning from it. I see kids running the point of all ages,(girls even) many of which have nowhere near the skill of Boynton but have been doing it for a while and are comfortable with it.

I agree it is a matter of experience for both Wilbekin and Boynton. E.Walker dominated the ball so much the last few years that others did not get the experience they might have under normal circumstnces. That was a positive in that it was hard for many college players to take the ball from a 5'8" guy other than the just over half court trap, but it was a negative for this season as UF primary ball handlers very rarely handled the ball against the press.

Still as I have typed many times here and elsewhere, UF will go back to breaking presses by passing the ball to some extent. That is sound basketball so it is not a bad thing.

[UFG8rGuy3283]

I am still intrigued with how Prather is looking? Does anyone have any info on if he's building off those last few games from last year?

He brings that sheer athleticism that could make him very valuable on so many different levels.

[GatorLurker]

Reading the posts about Wilbekin makes me think that if John Stockton was running the point at UF there would be people complaining about his lack of scoring and his inability (or reluctance) to shoot off the dribble.

Shooting off the dribble is a lower percentage shot compared to catch and shoot with your feet set. The PG's job is to maximize the number of points per possession for the team. Late in the shot clock a deep shot off the dribble might be a good shot, but early in the shot clock it probably isn't unless you are Larry Bird and last time I checked he wasn't the PG for Indiana State or the Celtics.

After watching Wilbekin for two years I think that he is a little bit gun shy about taking shots 20+ seconds into the shot clock that he has a good chance of making. This is a minor correction. I trust the coaches and Wilbekin's coachability on this.

[rserina]

Originally Posted by GatorLurker

Reading the posts about Wilbekin makes me think that if John Stockton was running the point at UF there would be people complaining about his lack of scoring and his inability (or reluctance) to shoot off the dribble.

Well, Jeff Van Gundy did say Donovan could beat him out in Utah...