Starter's in way too long

[dejavuegator]

A Donovan trademark; and the only one I don't like!

W/this team so short already; why risk a stupid injury in the last 3 minutes?

[hgators]

Is there one freaking that Gator fans don't bitch about?!

[MadduxFanII]

I'm not saying it's an illegitimate criticism, but it is absolutely hilarious that the first thread started after an 18-point win over one of the nation's most consistently excellent programs is this one.

[Angaza]

Originally Posted by hgators

Is there one freaking that Gator fans don't bitch about?!

Temperature too cold in the O'Dome

[lean_gator]

Originally Posted by hgators

Is there one freaking that Gator fans don't bitch about?!

Man. I don't know what to say. Amazing.

[Allanon]

Originally Posted by Angaza

Temperature too cold in the O'Dome

8 hours is too far to drive for a game and be at work tomorrow.

[born2beagator]

[gatordavisl]

This team will be deeper with Prather and Wilbekin. I don't agree with the OP. We saw freshmen playing against a ranked opponent and the coaches have been MORE hesitant to do so in recent years.

[sec1]

Great Game Gators...

[GatorPlanet]

Particularly in early season games, BD likes to keep starters in late in blowouts, because he wants to get them in the habit of playing hard to the final buzzer.

[BLING]

Originally Posted by Angaza

Temperature too cold in the O'Dome

That's from the lack of warm bodies inside the O'Dome.

[g8rvet]

He substituted early and often. Had good rotation going all game.

[rserina]

What I love about this criticism is that no one ever provides a comparison with other coaching staffs to determine when they pull the starters with a similar lead. I suspect you would find Donovan is largely no different, but that wouldn't stop the complaint.

[toddsevans]

Ridiculous.

[oneatatime]

basically he played 6 guys the entire second half, and was surprised that he didn't clear the bench in the last minute.

I know it is early, but once Wilbekin and Prather returns, we are likely to see an 8 man rotation with Frazier the only frosh getting serious PT

[gatorev12]

I'll actually back the OP on it here...it's a small thing Donovan could have (and probably should have) done differently. It's safe to say we weren't going to give up a 24 point lead with 2 and a half minutes to go. If things started getting dicey, put in the starters again--but get the freshman in there to close things out and give your starters a few minutes rest. They'd put in good minutes when rotated in...makes sense to use Frazier and Graham and perhaps a few others to give guys like Murphy and Boynton a breather.

It's early in the season and we have a lot of tough games coming up in the next month...we should be looking to rest our starters as often as possible. A 20+ point blowout at home in a game we've controlled from the start would be a good place to do so.

[akaGatorhoops]

I agree that it is tough to complain on a night like tonight, but i will be honest....

There are many times that I am cringing when the starters are in late in a blowout. I understand that gamespeed and scenarios offer the best practice, but I dread injury. So, while I will not second-guess Billy --- I sometimes share the same concerns of the OP.

[gatormoe1]

This is probably the one and only thing about Billy I don't like but... I think BD waits too long to get our young guys in during garbage time.

Is this because he thinks the other team has a chance to comeback? Or do you think it has more to so with respect to other coaches and maybe putting in the reserves might look like he's rubbing it in? I've always wondered why he waits until 40-30 seconds left in the game to put them in just to run out the clock.

Thoughts?

[gatormoe1]

Well dang it... I didn't see the other similar thread, mods go ahead and merge this one or delete it... sorry.

[JohnC1908]

UF could blowout the 92/93 Bulls and there would be complaints.