Defense

[themistocles]

Now, I know this is just two games over a 3 day period, and, admittedly, only 1/2 against Georgetown with a full game against a very weak Alabama State team, but when you think about it, playing without two of the best defensive players on the team (Prather and Wilbekin), the Gators appeared to play some pretty strong defense in these two games.

If you double Georgetown's 1/2 score, that totals 46 points.

Add Alabama State's 35 to that, and you have 81 points in two games for an average of 40.5 per game.

That seems pretty good from any perspective.

You win with defense because, if they can't score, they can't beat you.

[gatorbogey]

i love good defense.

rowdies had a good time at that game - good defense, steals - a crowd favorite, and then a bunch of dunks that really get the crowd going.

[rserina]

Donovan seems very pleased with the effort of the freshmen, especially on the defensive glass. It is also quite nice to have Yeguete back. He can defend four positions.

[LoyalGatorFan]

A great game and a half showing but im holding back until after we play Wisconsin...they return much of the team from last year...

[themistocles]

Originally Posted by LoyalGatorFan

A great game and a half showing but im holding back until after we play Wisconsin...they return much of the team from last year...

Just thought I would bring this up again after the Gators held Wisconsin to like 29% shooting.

Again, playing without two of the best defenders in Prather and Wilbekin.

Does anyone know if Prather will ever play again?

[regurgigator]

Losing Erving Walker seems to be having some of the impacts expected by many: better defense, but more turnovers on offense.

The strong rebounding despite the loss of Beal has been very encouraging.

[GatorRade]

I think it is always best to evaluate based on efficiency. According to KenPom, Florida is giving up 89.1 points per 100 possessions in two full games, which ranks 10th in the nation. Clearly, we shouldn't assume too much from two games, but considering that our defensive efficiency finished the year rated 71st last year, it wouldn't take much to improve.

http://kenpom.com/

[LoyalGatorFan]

Yes I was impressed for the most part with our D against Wisc...however there were a few too many times where we left a shooter wide open on the perimeter and we were fortunate enough that those shots didnt go in....overall I love our D and rebounding so far...our only glaring weakness seems to be turnovers....hopefully that will improve with the return of Wilbekin

[oneatatime]

wait until Wilbekin and Prather return.

I suspect we will be a top 10 defense all year

[gatordee]

Definitely a great start!

[GatorPlanet]

I've been reading here that, after 2.5 games, Pat Young is not all that. I beg to differ. He's been reliable on offense, but he's shutting people down on the interior. He was surrounded by trees against Wisconsin, but name any play where he got beat.

[themistocles]

Originally Posted by GatorPlanet

I've been reading here that, after 2.5 games, Pat Young is not all that. I beg to differ. He's been reliable on offense, but he's shutting people down on the interior. He was surrounded by trees against Wisconsin, but name any play where he got beat.

He appears to be considerably matured, as do Murphy, Yeguete and Rosario.

We haven't seen either Prather or Wilbekin, but if they show anything near the improvement the others have shown, and given the fact that Frazier appears to be a decent player, we might actually see a good 8 man rotation this year.

Lots of tough competition in the non-conference schedule for certain. I mean, Middle Tenn State won 27 games last year and returns 11 of 13 players. That one ain't a gimme.

Could be a very good team, however.

[oneatatime]

Originally Posted by themistocles

He appears to be considerably matured, as do Murphy, Yeguete and Rosario.

We haven't seen either Prather or Wilbekin, but if they show anything near the improvement the others have shown, and given the fact that Frazier appears to be a decent player, we might actually see a good 8 man rotation this year.

Lots of tough competition in the non-conference schedule for certain. I mean, Middle Tenn State won 27 games last year and returns 11 of 13 players. That one ain't a gimme.

Could be a very good team, however.

The Gators certainly have senior and junior leadership going for them this year. If Beal were still here, we would probably be favored to win the national championship.

[MJGator8104]

Originally Posted by LoyalGatorFan

Yes I was impressed for the most part with our D against Wisc...however there were a few too many times where we left a shooter wide open on the perimeter and we were fortunate enough that those shots didnt go in....overall I love our D and rebounding so far...our only glaring weakness seems to be turnovers....hopefully that will improve with the return of Wilbekin

They were not, however, Wisc's best three point shooters who were actually covered.

[sec1]

great start defense....

[GatorPlanet]

Originally Posted by MJGator8104

They were not, however, Wisc's best three point shooters who were actually covered.

Very good point! It's actually a strategy Donovan uses frequently. You may recall the incessant whine from opposing fans during our title team years, that if they'd only shot the open 3's at their normal 3-point percentage, they'd have beaten us. What they don't understand is that BD would have our guys shut down the GOOD shooters and invite the BAD ones to fire away. Which they did.

[InstiGATOR1]

Of course sometime like Behanan in the round of 8 game last year, the season long 16.7% shooter from the arc nails a key one against you.

[GatorPlanet]

Originally Posted by InstiGATOR1

Of course sometime like Behanan in the round of 8 game last year, the season long 16.7% shooter from the arc nails a key one against you.

Yeah, shyte happens.

[LoyalGatorFan]

Originally Posted by InstiGATOR1

Of course sometime like Behanan in the round of 8 game last year, the season long 16.7% shooter from the arc nails a key one against you.

Exactly...anybody can make a shot when they are left wide open...just because a guy isn't one of their better shooters doesn't mean you don't guard him

[ufgator4ever]

Originally Posted by oneatatime

wait until Wilbekin and Prather return.

I suspect we will be a top 10 defense all year

Exactly. Those are two of best d players. This team may have a few ugly wins with streaky o players, but I like the feel of the teams' d character.