Freshmen

[GatorPlanet]

Of course, Frasier has been by far the most productive. After him, Graham seemed to be next in line earlier in the season, but I've noticed in the last couple of weeks that Davon Walker is entering the game before Graham. It's probably because of the thin ranks of frontcourt guys, but it also tells me that BD must be pleased with his attitude, effort, and progress in practice. Taking that quick 3 yesterday sure won't help his cause, though.

Nice layup by Graham, but the feed from his teammate was the best part of that play. I didn't catch who it was that passed it to him, but it was great give-and-go basketball.

Braxton showed the quickness yesterday we'd heard about. I'd say he's the second quickest guy on the roster, behind Boynton. I hope he doesn't get discouraged, because he has a good future at this level.

[tupacbiff]

Walker took a really stupid shot. He Should know by now not
To do that crap.

Brax- finally showed a glimpse

Graham- just looks fundamentally solid and seems to really understand how to play in billys system.

[gatorbogey]

they're progressing.

that was a good play w/ kurtz and graham.
Braxton had a nice one simply driving to the rim - saw an opening and was agressive, that's a great sign!
i don't mind walker shooting - he's open. in the context of the game, perhaps not the best but i think BD told them to 'run the offense' much like spurrier did w/ the subs. i was upset w/ the quick trigger from the standpoint of holding state under 50, but in typical game situations - you shoot when you're that wide open in the BD system, right?
they all seemed to be hustling on the defensive end, although they probably weren't exactly that cohesive or not exactly in sync, but they did pressure and i believe to force a turnover.

[Ahab]

Looks like Walker is being groomed to take over the Prather role. Frasier has been so impressive and the older guys really seem to like him. He's usually the guy bouncing around in the middle of the pregame huddles.

[InstiGATOR1]

Really the interesting thing is that Ogbueze came off the bench early and played the 2 ith Wilbekin still in the game at the 1. For a minute or two Ogbueze played with other rotation guys and that has to be more valuable than playing more minutes with the other frosh.

[Bryan85]

Frasier can rebound. He get's higher than one would think his height would allow.

Also, seems to have that knack of knowing where the missed shot is going.

[gatorfansrule]

I'd like to see these guys get more time with the starters and key reserves earlier in blowout games instead of doing entire lineup changes for the last 2 or 3 minutes. Give Kenny a rest with Graham, bring Kenny back in and give Wilbekin a rest while Ogbueze gets some time, etc.

[akaGatorhoops]

Billy commented in the post game that he was pleased with how they played last night.

[rivergator]

I hope they can get more productive playing time the rest of the season. We're playing without much depth. Looking at the stats, I see Walker is shooting 1-16 so far.

[rserina]

There is no reason to play the freshmen just to get them experience. If they can contribute to the rotation, then sure, but odds are none are ready yet or they would already be in the rotation. Frazier is playing now because he can contribute.

If anything, what this season has shown us is that a lack of playing early does not mean a kid will not contribute later. Neither Yeguete nor Prather played a lick early. Murphy only played because we had no one else behind Macklin. But those guys stuck with it, made improvements, and have become (at least when healthy, in Prather's case) essential components to this team and reasons for its success. I can guarantee you that is what the staff and the upperclassmen are telling the current freshman class.

[gogators73]

For the first time ever I saw Braxton show me SOMETHING last night.

Walker I know has gotten time but he can't hit the broad side of a barn so far.

Obviously love Frazier II. Graham is definitely my 2nd favorite. Seems the 2nd most confident too.

[cmarcum]

Walker always has that terrified look in his eyes...if the game ever slows down for him he should be ok...but he has to gain a lot of strength to play consistently...felt we panicked and reached a little bit on him...but only time will tell

[Bear1974]

Once Billy gets a rotation going he tends to stay with it unless somebody shows him something in practice to show that he can get into the games more.

For injury purposes or for maintaining season health purposes I would hope that there are more opportunities to slot in freshman in the coming weeks in order to keep players fresh for March.

I think freshman play like freshman most of the time. I don't even think it is worth critiquing any freshman right now good or bad. Until they learn the system, play defense, and don't turn the ball over then any freshman on any team is going to have limited playing time. Unless injuries occur I just think you will continue to see limited garbage time for most of the freshman until maybe towards mid/late Feb or March when the so called the lights turn on thing hopefully happens and there is some form of trust gardnered by the coaches that allow all the freshman to get early minutes.

[HALLGATOR]

Frazier II has been getting starter minutes and this is a big plus for us as the season progresses. With Prather back we can cut back on some of the minutes the other starts play and it should pay dividends down the road. If we could work one of the other guys into the rotation on a regular basis it might even be better as long as we can keep our rhythm. I'm a bit concerned about Young's knees and would like to see his minutes decreased some if possible.

[themistocles]

I think you are correct Hall.

Actually, regarding Ogbueze, didn't he have 2 steals in 3 minutes playing time against Missou?

Many, many, many excellent to GREAT Gators under Billy D saw only very limited minutes as Freshmen. To name a few: Noah, Yeguete, Prather, Kadji, Speights, among many others.

As was noted - patience & determination pay off on this team, as they do in everything.

[rserina]

Originally Posted by HALLGATOR

Frazier II has been getting starter minutes and this is a big plus for us as the season progresses. With Prather back we can cut back on some of the minutes the other starts play and it should pay dividends down the road. If we could work one of the other guys into the rotation on a regular basis it might even be better as long as we can keep our rhythm. I'm a bit concerned about Young's knees and would like to see his minutes decreased some if possible.

Reducing Young's minutes won't make a blessed difference with his knees. It would only hurt the team. You are talking about 4-6 minutes less twice a week, as compared with the 10-12 hours of practice during the week (that's why NBA players with bad knees sit practice rather than playing reduced minutes in games).

But for the sake of argument let's say you cut those 4-6 minutes per game. Where do they go? Murphy can play the five, but unless you increase his minutes that means 4-6 minutes less of our starters on the floor together. You can play Yeugete at the five, but he does not have ideal size there and if you aren't increasing Murphy's minutes then that means you will have Yeguete at the five and Prather at the four for extended minutes (probably upwards 10-12 minutes per game). That just isn't really workable against many opponents.

If Prather gets more minutes, they will come at the three, with Rosario playing less there, which I think is a good idea. Other than the five, the one is the real big issue for us in terms of reducing minutes. Do you want Boynton playing more than ten minutes a game there? That is the only other option outside of Wilbekin. Without good depth at those two positions, Wilbekin and Young are forced to play extended minutes, while the other six rotation players divide minutes at three positions, with some spillover to the one and the five.

[HALLGATOR]

Originally Posted by rserina

Reducing Young's minutes won't make a blessed difference with his knees. It would only hurt the team. You are talking about 4-6 minutes less twice a week, as compared with the 10-12 hours of practice during the week (that's why NBA players with bad knees sit practice rather than playing reduced minutes in games).

But for the sake of argument let's say you cut those 4-6 minutes per game. Where do they go? Murphy can play the five, but unless you increase his minutes that means 4-6 minutes less of our starters on the floor together. You can play Yeugete at the five, but he does not have ideal size there and if you aren't increasing Murphy's minutes then that means you will have Yeguete at the five and Prather at the four for extended minutes (probably upwards 10-12 minutes per game). That just isn't really workable against many opponents.

If Prather gets more minutes, they will come at the three, with Rosario playing less there, which I think is a good idea. Other than the five, the one is the real big issue for us in terms of reducing minutes. Do you want Boynton playing more than ten minutes a game there? That is the only other option outside of Wilbekin. Without good depth at those two positions, Wilbekin and Young are forced to play extended minutes, while the other six rotation players divide minutes at three positions, with some spillover to the one and the five.

Why is necessarily going to hurt the team? I'm not sure why you would make a claim like that. Prather coming in allows Will to move over which in turn allows Erik to move over which is the point I am making. However just looking at the minutes last night should give you a good indication of what I am talking about. Even though Erik got into foul trouble again in the first half Young still only played 24 minutes. If you are a doctor or an expert on knees then I will take your word for it not helping but if you are basing it on your opinion we can just can decide to disagree on the subject.

[LoyalGatorFan]

Am I missing something? Is Young having knee problems?

[HALLGATOR]

Originally Posted by LoyalGatorFan

Am I missing something? Is Young having knee problems?

He tweeted his knees were hurting him so bad he could hardly sleep at night.

[rserina]

Originally Posted by HALLGATOR

Why is necessarily going to hurt the team? I'm not sure why you would make a claim like that.

Easy: Because our only true low post player and a possible first round draft pick next year is getting 4-6 minutes less.

Originally Posted by HALLGATOR

Prather coming in allows Will to move over which in turn allows Erik to move over which is the point I am making.

But Yeguete doesn't play that many minutes at the three. It is ordinarily Frazier, though I can agree that it will reduce what little he does play there and that will help.

Originally Posted by HALLGATOR

However just looking at the minutes last night should give you a good indication of what I am talking about. Even though Erik got into foul trouble again in the first half Young still only played 24 minutes.

Young played 27 minutes (according to the ESPN and GZ box scorse), and that was with a thirty point blowout enabling him to sit four the last four minutes.

Originally Posted by HALLGATOR

If you are a doctor or an expert on knees then I will take your word for it not helping but if you are basing it on your opinion we can just can decide to disagree on the subject.

Okay, maybe a physician can chime in since they are the only ones capable of solving this riddle: "What helps sore knees more--playing four less minutes twice per week, or sitting out 2-4 hours of practice per week?"