Gator Country

InstiGATOR1 · 02-09-2013, 01:20 PM

Will Yeguete is a fine player for UF. Still this has been a team that has been missing players all year.

Prather has missed 8 games. Wilbken has missed 2 games and has played other games with a broken finger. Murphy has missed a game and then played with an injured rib. Yeguete's play was affected by his knees in prior games too.

This team has adjusted to injuries so far. So I understand the worry about missing Yeguete, but not some of the extreme worries I have seen.

pinecrestgator · 02-09-2013, 01:30 PM

Because we're a well oiled machine that doesn't have superstars but has great synergy. Everyone thinks that losing one of those pieces slows down the machine.

BLING · 02-09-2013, 01:35 PM

People's concerns are obviously that he is a HIGHLY important player to make an NCAA Tourney run. He is basically the "glue" guy as far as effort, hustle, defense, rebounding, etc. We have no other front court options behind him on the bench. So if Young/Murphy gets in foul trouble, we are basically toast because there is NOBODY else that can match up with a 4 or 5. That type of mismatch as far as our lack of backups could directly lead to a loss.

I don't think people are as concerned about the next few weeks, as much as they are in hoping he can come back for the tournament. Also you have to feel for him missing the tourney last year - and possibly missing it again. We can probably skate by for a few weeks in the SEC OK (it's certainly not an excuse to really limp home with a bunch of losses), but when it comes down to being 1 loss and out... that's where you don't want to be without such an important player.

HALLGATOR · 02-09-2013, 01:36 PM

I wouldn't count Will out for post-season play. If he makes it back in a way he might be better, even if a little rusty, due to an absence of the pain and swelling he has been dealing with. If he doesn't I still have faith this team can accomplish a lot. As insti notes we have done well this year and have been dealing with injuries the whole time.

InstiGATOR1 · 02-09-2013, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pinecrestgator

Because we're a well oiled machine that doesn't have superstars but has great synergy. Everyone thinks that losing one of those pieces slows down the machine.

That has not been the case yet this season. Certainly, if Prather is not able to get back near to his pre-LSU self at all then there is more cause for worry.

Jonas · 02-09-2013, 01:40 PM

I think Yeguete is definitely a major component to our team, but I don't think it will affect us largely. Even if it did, we were beating teams by 25+ points. So maybe now we only beat them by 15+. Ourteam just has to step up their game collectively to make up for the loss.

**regurgigator** · 02-09-2013, 01:44 PM

I'm concerned because I think the defense this team has shown it is capable of playing is the main reason they have a decent chance to win it all and I think Yeguete is the most disruptive force we have on our defense.

We will still be very good defensively without him, but I was seeing a once-in-a-lifetime Gator defense before (in quite a few games). If I see it again while Yeguete is out of the lineup I'll let you know...and breathe a sign of relief.

NorthCaptivaGator · 02-09-2013, 02:00 PM

He had a meniscus tear not a stroke, he'll be back, we'll be fine

co_gator89 · 02-09-2013, 02:20 PM

They got to the Elite Eight without him last year so I don't doubt they can do it again. Hope he can get back around SEC tourney time though.

**ovillegator** · 02-09-2013, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NorthCaptivaGator

He had a meniscus tear not a stroke, he'll be back, we'll be fine

I'm relieved. I thought they had amputated his leg by some of the posts recently...

GatorsGators · 02-09-2013, 02:24 PM

Yeguete is our best wing defender and our only real rebounding presence off the bench.

So losing him is good reason for concern. However, I do think many are overreacting. I'm not panicking. We'll have to adjust, but in the end I think we will. Prather needs to step up, but he's shown he's capable of doing so (in the tourney last season and pre-injury this season).

tommyuf21 · 02-09-2013, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BLING

So if Young/Murphy gets in foul trouble, we are basically toast because there is NOBODY else that can match up with a 4 or 5. That type of mismatch as far as our lack of backups could directly lead to a loss.

It will depend on our opposition and whether or not they can take advantage of this.

The way the league looks like right now, that isn't going to be an issue on most nights.

Tourney success always depends on matchups and if WY is healthy by then, we'll be fine there. We may also have developed some more depth by then and that will only help us down the line.

Hate it for Will that he got hurt, but the team should be able to deal with this.

**stingbb** · 02-09-2013, 02:32 PM

Because with Yeguette out, UF has only two kids on the roster over 6'5.

You kind of think that may be an issue?

GatorsGators · 02-09-2013, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stingbb

Because with Yeguette out, UF has only two kids on the roster over 6'5.

You kind of think that may be an issue?

Prather and Walker are both 6'6".

akaGatorhoops · 02-09-2013, 02:37 PM

The concern is frontcourt depth, and rebounding. Last year, the latter was somewhat mitigated by a very strong rebounder in Beal.
Still, I think there has been an overreaction here. Not to his absence, but the presumption that he is done for the year. Again, Donovan has said that he is hoping to have im back by the last regualr season game.

SwampFox · 02-09-2013, 02:43 PM

It appears the feinting goats have found another pasture to graze..

Prather stepped up last year. This is an opportunity for him to do it again. Then tourney time, with WY hopefully back, we will be more seasoned and in better shape than before..

That's what I see and I'm stickin' to it..

**ThePlayer** · 02-09-2013, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stingbb

Because with Yeguette out, UF has only two kids on the roster over 6'5.

You kind of think that may be an issue?

Arky doesn't have anyone over 6' 7"...and they kicked our a$$.

**sec1** · 02-09-2013, 03:07 PM

Yeguette will be a big loss , we will see first hand on Tuesday at UK , we will still be a good team but he made us great ... our D is not as good without him , athletic teams will have a big advantage on us now... i hope we have someone who can step up

**regurgigator** · 02-09-2013, 03:20 PM

As apparently a "feinting (sic) goat", I'll say that I'm not very concerned about losing Yeguete for the remaining SEC schedule. It might cost us a game or two and some seeding, but that's no big deal IMO.

My only real concern is having WY back for the NCAA Tourney.

Donovan sounded more confident about WY being back for the Tourney than what I was hearing before that. Some pretty reliable posters thought WY would not play again at all this year. Hopefully, they will turn out to be wrong.

**sec1** · 02-09-2013, 03:23 PM

Yes , i am concerned because i think he is gone for the year and that is a big loss , we will not go deep without him in march