Prather over Yeguette

[oneatatime]

Billy D is still mixing up his combinations including the very short team of Yeguette and Prather as his only bigs.

Will apparently will log time at 3-4-5, particularly when Young or Murphy get into foul trouble, while Casey will get to play the 4 as well as predominately be a 3

[rserina]

Yeguete has been struggling offensively the last few games, no doubt, but his rebound statistics were good last night and in general he is our best and most versatile froncrout defender.

I would like to know what outside of points some see Prather bringing to the four? I love his game off the bounce against slower bigs, on the whole he and Yeguete are pretty darn similar: neither is good in the pick and pop game, both struggle making post entry passes and in general neither are strong or smart with the ball. Prather is much better creating off the bounce and is a better finisher around the rim, while Yeguete is a better rebounder on both ends and a better defender. But Yeguete can play both post positions and Prather can only play one, so it stands to reason that Yeguete would get more minutes in the rotation and be the first post off the bench.

[tommyuf21]

Originally Posted by rserina

Yeguete has been struggling offensively the last few games, no doubt, but his rebound statistics were good last night and in general he is our best and most versatile froncrout defender.

He's had a rough time holding on to the ball. I think that has led to him putting up some weak shot attempts along with the obvious turnovers.

I think there is some individual drills that can help him there.

As for his overall intensity, especially on the defensive end, it is absolutely critical that his minutes don't get cut. He's proven to be very valuable.

I'm happy with Prather getting more minutes though. We need his athleticism when we go up against the Missouri's and UK's of the world.

[108]

personally i think WY is thinking too much about his offensive game and it's effecting his effort in other areas

[GatorPlanet]

What has happened with Will Yeguete is fairly common in college hoops. Last year, he was the "energy guy" off the bench, with almost no offensive game. This season, his improvement on offense was readily apparent to us after a couple of games, and he was scoring some points for us. Not lighting it up, but getting some production. Opposing coaches really hadn't spent any time game-planning to consider his offense. Now that they see he actually CAN score, they're adjusting a bit to make him work for it.

Now it's up to him to take the next step. Not in forcing shots, which he had been doing the last few games (I didn't see yesterday's game, admittedly), but in figuring out how to get his buckets or give it up.

[themistocles]

Prather has played very well, and, until the last two games, Yeguete has been a very important positive force for the Gators, but he, like almost the entire rest of the team, appear to be in quite a slump right now.

Wilbekin at PG and BK at SG appear an absolutely necessary way to run the team. I think that Billy D is trying to help KBs chances at an NBA career by playing him at the 1, but it has been almost a complete failure so far.

Yesterday, against an overmatched Air Force squad, both Boynton and Wilbekin played for 38 of 40 minutes. That simply will not do during the SEC grind and given the way Billy D likes to play his team, they will not hold up if forced to play that long with any consistency. Tired legs at the end of close games result in losses due to: (1) missed shots due to lack of elevation, and (2) reduced defensive efficacy due to tired arms and legs.

[LoyalGatorFan]

^ Regarding your last paragraph, I have been wondering what has happened to Ogbueze lately...maybe he just hasnt shown enough in practice to earn PT..because all of a sudden we went from a 10 or 11 man rotation down to 8...but we are gonna need some minutes (even if its just 5) from Ogbueze or Graham to avoid SW and KB getting tired legs...

[InstiGATOR1]

I think it is pretty clear now that Ogbueze is not ready this year at least. And UF does not need him. UF has 8 guys to occupy 200 minutes.

I think that yesterday Boynton and Wilbekin played so many minutes because they are good perimeter defenders and UF was playing a team that played small and defending the arc was important.

[swampgas44]

Originally Posted by 108

personally i think WY is thinking too much about his offensive game and it's effecting his effort in other areas

Spot on !

[rserina]

Originally Posted by InstiGATOR1

I think that yesterday Boynton and Wilbekin played so many minutes because they are good perimeter defenders and UF was playing a team that played small and defending the arc was important.

Exactly. I don't think it is ever Donovan's plan to play kids for 38 minutes a game (Boynton actually played 36), but we are thin in the backcourt and needed to be smaller and quicker at the one through three yesterday, plus Rosario's foul troubles and offensive lapses that got him benched. Not a ton of other options.

[regurgigator]

Originally Posted by rserina

Yeguete has been struggling offensively the last few games, no doubt, but his rebound statistics were good last night and in general he is our best and most versatile froncrout defender.

I would like to know what outside of points some see Prather bringing to the four? I love his game off the bounce against slower bigs, on the whole he and Yeguete are pretty darn similar: neither is good in the pick and pop game, both struggle making post entry passes and in general neither are strong or smart with the ball. Prather is much better creating off the bounce and is a better finisher around the rim, while Yeguete is a better rebounder on both ends and a better defender. But Yeguete can play both post positions and Prather can only play one, so it stands to reason that Yeguete would get more minutes in the rotation and be the first post off the bench.

Spot on - as usual!

Regardless of the starting lineup, I generally want to see all 3 of Yeguete, Murphy and Young get as many minutes as possible (as allowed by fouls and fatigue).

It's good to see Prather continue to improve and contribute - but he's still a bit too dicey with ball security at times.