Without Yeugette, do we change our style of play?

[Ahab]

Given our roster, one option would be to pick up the tempo and try to press more. Run a deeper bench and try to wear teams out.

[CoachSayre]

Zone more.

[phideltdj]

Right...we can't afford Young and Murphy to get cheap fouls standing as the last line of defense in a press that gets beat and then you have them trying to defend a possible two on one or a quicker wing player going to the basket.

[GatorPlanet]

Casey Prather needs to elevate his game NOW. His Arkansas performance hurt the team. Now he needs to help.

Davon W needs to get better in a hurry, too, but I think we'll only use him for 3 or 4 minutes in a half at best. Even that would be a big help.

[GatorPlanet]

I think we might see Dillon Graham start to get a couple of minutes per half, too.

[GatorLurker]

Originally Posted by GatorPlanet

Casey Prather needs to elevate his game NOW. His Arkansas performance hurt the team. Now he needs to help.

Davon W needs to get better in a hurry, too, but I think we'll only use him for 3 or 4 minutes in a half at best. Even that would be a big help.

I pretty much agree with this.

I expect a bit more zone but mostly with 3 guards, Young, and Murphy. In that way we can offer some foul protection to PY and EM on the defensive side. And while all D is team D, zone is a bit more nuanced. Having the most experienced guys on the floor when zoning is a good thing.

[tegator80]

Originally Posted by GatorPlanet

I think we might see Dillon Graham start to get a couple of minutes per half, too.

Unless there is some "big picture" setup that we are unaware of, I expect either Graham or Walker to get some minutes in the regular rotation, the one who is the most competent defender/rebounder. I also expect less full court pressure since we need the energy to play more minutes per player. Come in Casey, get well!

[Bullis33]

I get it, but a HUGE mistake IMO...we have never zoned well and this will negate our biggest strength this season: our amazing half court man to man D

our zone D has always been very very subpar....Arky game just another example of that fact

Originally Posted by CoachSayre

Zone more.

[gogators73]

Huh? Our zone defense has been superb this season.

[ApexNC]

Prather will have to play the 4 a lot more than we ever wanted him to. Good news is that we can bring Frazier in at the 3 when that happens as he's a strong rebounder. Still gonna be a challenge.

[GatorLurker]

Originally Posted by gogators73

Huh? Our zone defense has been superb this season.

I agree.

And the transitions from one D to another have been seamless.

[born2beagator]

I hate this so much, one injury and my excitement for the season turns into worry. I don't think this is a FF team without will.

[gatorev12]

Originally Posted by tegator80

Unless there is some "big picture" setup that we are unaware of, I expect either Graham or Walker to get some minutes in the regular rotation, the one who is the most competent defender/rebounder. I also expect less full court pressure since we need the energy to play more minutes per player. Come in Casey, get well!

Good post...this is has I see things shaking out too.

Heck, who knows--perhaps even Kurtz gets looked at for some minutes: he's got the height and has shown well this season with the minutes he's been given. Dare I say, he's performed better than either Graham or Walker to this point.

[GatorLurker]

Originally Posted by born2beagator

I hate this so much, one injury and my excitement for the season turns into worry. I don't think this is a FF team without will.

I think that we are, but it will be more difficult.

[NorthCaptivaGator]

Originally Posted by born2beagator

I hate this so much, one injury and my excitement for the season turns into worry. I don't think this is a FF team without will.

dude, one missed free throw and your excitement during game threads turns into worry, I imagine you are on the verge of tears right now

[gatorrick1]

Originally Posted by CoachSayre

Zone more.

The only time that we have effectively played Zone for long stretches was to start the year when we played with a bigger lineup with SW out. Playing more zone while also playing small ball is a mistake IMO. I understand the need to keep big guys out of foul trouble but I don't know that playing a ton of zone allows this team even without WY to reach its potential.

[GatorPlanet]

Originally Posted by born2beagator

I hate this so much, one injury and my excitement for the season turns into worry. I don't think this is a FF team without will.

On the other hand--and I mean this in no way as a knock on Will--we actually got better when he was injured last season. BD decided to turn up the speed to HIGH even though our depth had diminished, and we played at a higher level from that point on.

What we have going for us is that Mike Frasier II is getting better each time he steps on the floor. His minutes will go up...what we lose in Will's defense, maybe we can make up with Mike's offense.

[HALLGATOR]

It's not a matter of wanting to zone more as much as it is dictated by the players which are available.

[gatorbogey]

i thought our zone has been outstanding - except for the arkie game. it's been the best it's ever been - at least for the last 4 -6 years or so. so we zone more to protect the bigs. that's going to hurt a bit on the boards and if someone gets hot from the outside - like the hogs did to us.

[ThePlayer]

Originally Posted by born2beagator

I hate this so much, one injury and my excitement for the season turns into worry. I don't think this is a FF team without will.

Unfortunately I agree.
His absence is really going to hurt against more physical teams like Kentucky too.