Gator Country

**ufgatordad** · 02-24-2013, 04:05 PM

Billy has said before that he really wants a 1 seed in tourney.Sec is weak this year so maybe winning so impressive helps for the eye test. I trust Billy that he has reasons for what he does or doesnt do. Our lead can dwindle fast with the rookies, and our starters are prob going to have to play most minutes in tourney and needs that first bye game for extra rest

diamondted13 · 02-24-2013, 04:17 PM

No doubt, it is a nice problem to have and debate. I just can't remember us ever blowing through league play like we have this year, with 25+ pt leads being the norm. But are you telling me you didn't find it at least a little curious/nerve-wracking that our starters/rotation guys where in until the 2 min mark in the MSU and Aub games, especially with WY's absence already resulting in a 7-man rotation? I know you can't coach scared/fearful of injury, but I hate holding my breath in those late minutes. I guess that's the nature of being a fan. It's funny how we never worry about guys getting hurt during competitive games (and that's usually when injuries happen). Part of that is the simple fact that you need your guys in those moments. Call it the Tyrone Prothro-effect.

rserina · 02-24-2013, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by diamondted13

No doubt, it is a nice problem to have and debate. I just can't remember us ever blowing through league play like we have this year, with 25+ pt leads being the norm. But are you telling me you didn't find it at least a little curious/nerve-wracking that our starters/rotation guys where in until the 2 min mark in the MSU and Aub games, especially with WY's absence already resulting in a 7-man rotation? I know you can't coach scared/fearful of injury, but I hate holding my breath in those late minutes. I guess that's the nature of being a fan. It's funny how we never worry about guys getting hurt during competitive games (and that's usually when injuries happen). Part of that is the simple fact that you need your guys in those moments. Call it the Tyrone Prothro-effect.

I guess I am used to it by now. I don't see many sporting events where it doesn't happen--or where the announcers don't bring it up at some point to criticize the winning coach. They love doing that, unless of course you have a seasoned veteran coach as the color commentator because he knows how coaches think.

I can see why some get jittery about these tings, but I also don't see many coaches departing from the habit, so it doesn't bother me anymore.

**ufgatordad** · 02-24-2013, 04:30 PM

For sure i did wonder why. It was so obvious to my reasoning that i figured BD has a strategy behind it, as he has before times when i questioned his coaching decisions to later find out his reasoning.But of course he is still growing as a coach and makes mistakes from time to time. But i do know he is with those boys every day in practice and knows what the whole picture is and what their playing capabilities are together as a team

BengermanV · 02-24-2013, 04:33 PM

The problem for me is, you kind of have to pick your poison here.

Do you overplay your best players a little bit, and hope for the best as far as fatigue/injury concerns go? We can't lose anyone else at this point, so playing your starts for more minutes seems very risky. Then again, this year more than any, I want a #1 seed. There are about 2 scary teams in this league (Izzo's MSU, and Indiana), and they are both probably going to be one seeds by the end of the season. I don't want to be the #2 seed that has to match up with them.

The other choice is to say to hell with the #1 seed, lets get our young guys some PT and keep our starters as healthy as possible. Honestly, this is probably the decision I make. As much as I'd love a #1 seed, the benefits of a) giving your team some more depth for later on b) keeping your team healthy for a tournament run -- are much more essential than the #1 seed. Plus, there is always the chance we are still good enough under this scenario to beat everyone else left on the schedule.

**ufgatordad** · 02-24-2013, 04:41 PM

We have still not beaten a really good competitive team on the road nd now having hardly any depth, am very concerned. and there are so many good 2 seeds and below,its seems to be ht important to hang onto that 1seed for a deeper run.We haave some time to recupe before tourn, and get our guys back

**sec1** · 02-24-2013, 04:53 PM

I'm very concerned ...

rserina · 02-24-2013, 04:58 PM

I guess I don't see many coaches intentionally tanking or sitting their starters at this stage of the year, even those with high seeds wrapped up. Maybe that makes me an unthinking lemming (or Donovan or the rest of the coaches doing the same thing). Regardless, what I absolutely despise about Calipari is how cavalier he has become when speaking about the regular season or conference tournament. You mean to tell me these kids (like Noel) put their professional futures on the line risking injury whenever they play, but the regular season, league titles, or league tourneys don't matter?

We could go cold in the tournament one night and the season is for naught under that scenario. Play the kids who want to play and who are ready to play in every game. Enjoy every game, compete in every game, win every game you can.

SwampFox · 02-24-2013, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rserina

I guess I don't see many coaches intentionally tanking or sitting their starters at this stage of the year, even those with high seeds wrapped up. Maybe that makes me an unthinking lemming (or Donovan or the rest of the coaches doing the same thing). Regardless, what I absolutely despise about Calipari is how cavalier he has become when speaking about the regular season or conference tournament. You mean to tell me these kids (like Noel) put their professional futures on the line risking injury whenever they play, but the regular season, league titles, or league tourneys don't matter?

We could go cold in the tournament one night and the season is for naught under that scenario. Play the kids who want to play and who are ready to play in every game. Enjoy every game, compete in every game, win every game you can.

you rebel, you...

NorthCaptivaGator · 02-24-2013, 08:27 PM

Great News Gator Fans!

@GatorZoneChris: We interupt the Oscars for a Michael Frazier update. Should be back Saturday for Alabama: BasketBlog Notebook: http://t.co/kZ6f4S19xr

GolphinGator · 02-24-2013, 08:31 PM

The players are going to play like they practice. When it comes to the NCAA tourney the practice they fall back on will be the games they played during the regular season. There are not going to be a lot of blow outs after the first round of the tournament. Florida starters will be in better shape to handle the longer minutes because they have done it all year. As many blow outs as we have had during the regular season, we would not be as well prepared had they all sat out the 4th quarter of those games. Just another way to look at it. Who know really, but I go with whatever Billy decides.

GatorJeff · 02-24-2013, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vaxcardinal

whats the worst thing that can happen, we lose the next 4 games and then still make it to the tournament. So no big deal here.

I think winning the SEC Championship is a huge deal. Unlike winning the national championship, it's a realistic goal......one that the Gators have accomplished just five times. It comes with rings, trophies and a permanent spot in the record books.

iam4uf · 02-24-2013, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NorthCaptivaGator

Great News Gator Fans!

@GatorZoneChris: We interupt the Oscars for a Michael Frazier update. Should be back Saturday for Alabama: BasketBlog Notebook: http://t.co/kZ6f4S19xr

Just read that as well. Also WY might be back for that game.

UFreak · 02-24-2013, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iam4uf

Just read that as well. Also WY might be back for that game.

Huge news for both

rserina · 02-24-2013, 11:06 PM

Absolutely great news. Unfortunately, with way Tennessee has been playing it will take everything we have to come out of Knoxville with a win given such a short bench. Regardless the outcome on Tuesday, a win over Bama on Saturday and a fully healthy rotation the following week will put is pole position for the SECs and more.

InstiGATOR1 · 02-24-2013, 11:26 PM

I think the key for Frazier recovering this quickly might have been that his chin appear to me to hit Wilbekin's thigh not his knee. There is more give in the thigh than the knee.

**Juggernautz** · 02-24-2013, 11:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NorthCaptivaGator

Great News Gator Fans!

@GatorZoneChris: We interupt the Oscars for a Michael Frazier update. Should be back Saturday for Alabama: BasketBlog Notebook: http://t.co/kZ6f4S19xr

jareduf · 02-25-2013, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NorthCaptivaGator

Great News Gator Fans!

@GatorZoneChris: We interupt the Oscars for a Michael Frazier update. Should be back Saturday for Alabama: BasketBlog Notebook: http://t.co/kZ6f4S19xr

Great news. Thanks.

tegator80 · 02-25-2013, 10:38 AM

So right now we are in a one-game scenario (yes, that is a standard cliché) where we either play 6 or we audition another freshman, at least for defensive purposes. So which do you think it will be?

My guess is that Billy wants "something" out of them that just hasn't registered in them yet ever since we started conference play. He seems to be a big picture coach and is not likely to give into the way they want to do things because we need another body. Better to get their heads right for the future than worry about wins today.

GatorJeff · 02-25-2013, 11:39 AM

Since the curent six-man rotation only has to "gut out" one game (since it appears that Frazier and Yeguete will be back next Saturday), I would think the starters would get close to 35 minutes each in tomorrow's game.