Zona at Clemson preview

[chompalot]

Some good intel on the Wildcats, who the Gators play next Saturday.

Arizona-Clemson Preview


Gooooo Gators!

[InstiGATOR1]

According to KenPom's metric UF has played about the 100th toughest schedule so far, while Zona has played about the 300th toughest schedule.

[chompalot]

Too bad we could get that G'town game in.

[chompalot]

Excerpt from ESPN Insider Rumor Central

How long can Florida stay unbeaten?
It's not as if people had forgotten about Florida entering this season. After all, the Gators compiled 26 wins and made a run all the way to the Elite Eight just last year. But playing in the SEC tends to place teams squarely in Kentucky's shadow these days. That won't be the case for Billy Donovan's squad though.

After dismantling Florida State by 25 on the road last night, Florida has run its record to 7-0. And it's not as if they're piling up wins courtesy of an easy schedule either. They've already ousted Marquette, Wisconsin, UCF and the Seminoles -- by an average of 22.5 points. Overall, their average margin of victory is 25 points.

Kenny Boynton, Erik Murphy and Patric Young have all returned and are putting on a clinic so far. Meanwhile, senior Mike Rosario -- who spent the first two years of his college career at Rutgers -- is thriving with increased minutes this year. The Gators have a tough test against No. 8 Arizona this weekend, but then they get a relative break in the schedule after that. The next ranked opponent they'll see is No. 12 Missouri on Jan. 19. Meaning they could feasibly be on an absolute tear by the time SEC play rolls around.

A win in the Zona game will go a long way in keeping us high up there in the rankings --till 1/19/2013. That's when we get Mizzou (a home game). If we can take Zona out, we'll take Mizzou out, as well, IMO. Beyond that, the sked still looks good. I not making any predictions past the Mizzou game--when I believe we'll be 15-0, if we can take care of business in AZ.

[happygatorguy]

Has anyone seen Arizona play? How do we match up with them ?

[chompalot]

Originally Posted by happygatorguy

Has anyone seen Arizona play? How do we match up with them ?

You can find out for yourself tonight at 8 on ESPN2.

[ETGator1]

Arizona is an FSU who hasn't played anyone yet. Clemson on the road at 5-2 will be their first test. UF will be more than a test, it will be a loss for the wildcats.

Arizona has young good players who lack experience. Their size is in their freshmen players who have talent, but lack experience. Young, Murphy, Yeguete, Rosario, Prather, and Frazier will have big games from the 3, 4, and 5. The Gators will break even in the back court with Boynton and Wilbekin.

The key will be the defense and the press. Billy needs to play 10 deep, play changing defenses between man and zone, and press from the opening tip. Unless the refs pull a Butler on the Gators, UF will pick up a top 10 win on the road presuming the wildcats can get by the tigers.

The Gators talent, depth, and experience will be too much for Arizona. After the game, ESPN will again be asking are the Gators really this good. The simple answer is yes.

[NorthCaptivaGator]

Just saw we play Zona at 10pm eastern. Wonder if they will go out early to get used to the time change?

[gogators73]

Arizona putting it on Clemson 22-8 right now. They get after you for sure.

[InstiGATOR1]

Clemson has a terrible offense. Actually they are much like FSU. Zona has all of a sudden gone 3 crazy and they are not hitting, 9-2 Clemson run.

[InstiGATOR1]

Clemson seems to be able to drive at will, but keep failing to finish.

[gogators73]

31-26 Arizona early in 2nd half. Hopefully Clemson doesn't pull off the upset.

[gatorbogey]

12:45 Clemson up
39 - 36

[InstiGATOR1]

Nnoko playing, Clemson by 6, Zona to the line for two shots. Zona does not seem to like pesky defense.

[alietigator]

Feel more confident about Zona now, but sure would like them to win to help out SOS and hype the game more.

[G8rNkoko]

Arizona will have a lot of trouble against our defense. They will not be given easy baskets like Clemson is allowing.

[gatordavisl]

Clemson is not impressive. 'Zona might be a tought out, but no reason at all to fear them. Gators play their game and they should roast the wild cats.

[HALLGATOR]

Originally Posted by InstiGATOR1

Nnoko playing, Clemson by 6, Zona to the line for two shots. Zona does not seem to like pesky defense.

Good, because they are sure going to see a lot of it in their next game.

[Bryan85]

Clem is a lot like The Semis in that they play hard D. but can't score much. They're a 50-60 point team. They'll hold the opponents O down and now and then score enough, at home, to win a big game. Then the next game they score 48 and lose to a bad team.

[chompalot]

The commentator just mentioned that the Gators are playing as good as any team in the country and harder than any team, every game.