Prather and Frazier II

[InstiGATOR1]

Originally Posted by exiledgator

I only caught glimpses on my phone here and there. Did Walker get many minutes? Contribute?

PG: Wilbekin played 33 min and he averages 31.6 min.
SG: Boynton played 30 min and he averages 31.7 min.
SF: Rosario played 24 min and he averages 28.8 min.
PF: Murphy played 26 min and he averages 26.8 min.
C: Young played 25 min and he averages 25.6 min.
G: Frazier played 24 min and he averages 18.9 min.
F: Prather played 22 min and while he averages 14.6, he has played zero since the first SEC game until Yeguete was hurt.

So basically Prather replaces Yeguete's minutes, more than replaced Yeguete's scoring with 10 points and almost replacing Yeguete's rebounding with 5. Frazier's minutes were up because he stayed in with the other Frosh for the last 3 min.

[regurgigator]

Originally Posted by bearshark

Agree with Coach Donovan that the energy level seemed down and at times the players appeared not interested i.e. KB with horrible passing. The team may have still been reeling from Arkansas game. Kentucky is improving each game as is Missouri which will make it very interesting from here thru the SEC Tournament.

KB with horrible passing? He had 6 assists and 2 TO's.

And, I loved those 2 plays in a row KB made in the 2nd half where he drove into the lane to collapse the defense and passed back out to Murphy for a wide open three and on the next play threaded the needle to Patric under the basket for a dunk, which was Young's 1st basket of the game.

[themistocles]

Billy D clearly does not think that Walker is ready to contribute much yet.

Both Prather and Frazier clearly are.

As Insti noted, Prather replaced Yeguete's minutes, which is a bit of a loss because he can't play the 5, but a bit of a gain due to his slight speed, quickness and agility advantage.

The Gators have been successful in the past with a 7 man rotation, and that is primarily what we will see until Yeguete returns, hopefully by the Lexington game.

[rounds]

Originally Posted by rserina

Donovan didn't sound too thrilled about the energy, but that is sort of too be expected coming off the Arky game and playing someone you drilled just two weeks earlier.

But I agree that in terms of the rotation additional minutes will go to Frazier and Prather and their production will be key at both ends of the floor. The real challenge, and this is something Donovan sounds very concerned about, is dealing with foul trouble at the five. Yeguete could give you decent minutes there because of his defense and offensive rebounding. Prather and Frazier just can't.

I disagree with your opinion of Prather's ability to play the five. He plays inside taller than he is and is our best offensive weapon in the paint.

[GothamGator]

Last night against Kentucky, Prather was obviously terrific. He provided a high level of play on both ends of the floor.

I was more troubled by Frazier II. He made some critical mistakes on offense and defense, and Kentucky kept on him out by the 3-point line, negating his biggest strength. That said, I do see a very bright future for Frazier II. He is taking on more responsibility than before with WY absent. Let's hope he can adapt quickly.

[rounds]

Originally Posted by akaGatorhoops

Though it is not a huge height difference, there is a very obvious strength difference between cp and wy. Casey can not defend the 5. He got killed on the post a few times today. I am not knocking the kid, but there is no comparing interior defense of he and yeguete.

True. Casey is better.

[rounds]

Originally Posted by GatorsGators

Yeguete is a great post defender and has had success both defending and rebounding against other centers... Prather hasn't. He's slightly more skilled than Yeguete and is quicker off the bounce, but Yeguete is a far more traditional big and is far more suited to play the five.

Yeguete is clueless offensively.

[austingtr]

^^^^not really, he has progressed tremendously on that this year. I think he had the injury issue preventing him from practice, but he did improve a lot and looked good at the beginning of the year.

[UFreak]

I agree austingtr, I thought WY's offense was really coming along nicely. We are clearly a better team with both. The each bring a different skill set to the team and having them both healthy is crucial to our post season hopes.

[MichaelJoeWilliamson]

Originally Posted by rounds

I disagree with your opinion of Prather's ability to play the five. He plays inside taller than he is and is our best offensive weapon in the paint.

Yep. Lest we forget, last night he both dunked on a seven foot guy and blocked the shot of a seven foot guy.

[InstiGATOR1]

One various comments above:

1. Let's remember early in the season Yeguete was actually getting the ball in the post and making offensive mores. In the past he has mainly been a garbage man scoing on put backs, layups and the like, but he did make some offensive moves at the beginning of this season.

2, Despite Prather blocking a shot and slamming over a 7' player last night, I prefer Yeguete and his bulk defending the 5 for any lenght of time. Still Prather against any 4 who is 6'8" tall or shorter maybe even 6'9" tall or shorter gives UF an edge offensively without giving up too much defensively.

3. As we saw last night Murphy can play five if need be. That is as long as they do not call the crazy fouls on him in the post.

[austingtr]

I know, I wonder why the refs were picking on him calling phantom fouls.

[rounds]

Prather & Frazier also solve our free-throw problems in 'steal or foul' end of game situations.

[grayg8rstevo]

Originally Posted by gatorbogey

gators looked fresh and energized to me.

but i was worried when i heard about scottie's attitude issues during practice. is that what BD was referring to? lack of energy from SW? or was that something else?

last year, prather and beal stepped up after WY went down. this year it will be Frazier in that role - w/ prather again.

going to likely be a little bumpy - like last season, but by the time the ncaa's came around, i think the team and coaches had a pretty good idea of what to do and how to use the players properly.

Billy complimented his team's energy. Not a problem.