Gator Country

1bobcat · 03-09-2013, 03:27 PM

I think mental toughness on the road is different than at home. You don't need to be mentally tough when the crowd is on your side. You need it when you are fighting and everyone is against you.

**mdgator05** · 03-09-2013, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WESGATORS

I think this is a big factor and why Missouri, Tennessee, and even today are different than previous episodes. Getting Yeguete back in the flow of things will make a huge difference.

Go GATORS!
,WESGATORS

When is that going to happen?

**gatorman_07732** · 03-09-2013, 04:20 PM

Wasn't Yeguete in the fold against K St and AZ?

WESGATORS · 03-09-2013, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gatorman_07732

Wasn't Yeguete in the fold against K St and AZ?

Yes, those losses were worse. The Arizona loss is tolerable because if we play like that on a neutral court we win. Kansas State was an example of a game that we would have needed to play better on a neutral court to win. On a neutral court, we beat Kentucky today. That's all that matters going forward.

Go GATORS!
,WESGATORS

WESGATORS · 03-09-2013, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdgator05

When is that going to happen?

Well, a little at a time. Hopefully it happens by next Sunday. Be patient, and enjoy the ride. What else can we do?

Go GATORS!
,WESGATORS

**mdgator05** · 03-09-2013, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WESGATORS

Well, a little at a time. Hopefully it happens by next Sunday. Be patient, and enjoy the ride. What else can we do?

Go GATORS!
,WESGATORS

Recognize that right now he isn't playing great and that he is being joined by 3 of the 4 guards who are playing awful basketball? Also, we could acknowledge that it doesn't appear to be happening (as I don't think you could say he is playing much better each game than the game before).

**gatorman_07732** · 03-09-2013, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WESGATORS

Yes, those losses were worse. The Arizona loss is tolerable because if we play like that on a neutral court we win. Kansas State was an example of a game that we would have needed to play better on a neutral court to win. On a neutral court, we beat Kentucky today. That's all that matters going forward.

Go GATORS!
,WESGATORS

I understand, however all the games have one thing in common and that is we lost. IMO all three were signature games because they were against good teams on the road and would indicate how we would do in the tournament and the SEC is not very impressive right now as a basketball conference. I can't say this team is very good on the road but this is my opinion.

Gatorhead5 · 03-09-2013, 04:40 PM

Sadly, KY isn't even a good team

rounds · 03-09-2013, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xenythx

I know exactly when it happened - the second half against Missouri. We had a poor shooting game from three that probably cost us the game and ever since then this team has been trying to force passes to the post and force drives to the rim.

Missing 23 shots from beyond the arc will even do that to Billy.

WESGATORS · 03-09-2013, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdgator05

Recognize that right now he isn't playing great and that he is being joined by 3 of the 4 guards who are playing awful basketball? Also, we could acknowledge that it doesn't appear to be happening (as I don't think you could say he is playing much better each game than the game before).

I disagree, thought he looked more comfortable today than either of the past two games.

19 minutes today
12 minutes vs. Vanderbilt
11 minutes vs. Bama

There's still some adjustments going on. He was averaging over 20 minutes per game prior to all this.

Go GATORS!
,WESGATORS

xenythx · 03-09-2013, 04:45 PM

My biggest concern is that we're still living off of those early season big wins against Wisconsin and Marquette, both of whom have gotten significantly better since we played them. We haven't really had many quality wins against teams that will be playing in the tournament lately and we're losing to teams that won't be.

bullish · 03-09-2013, 05:14 PM

I can't wait for Kasey Hill to arrive. Let me carry his books, drive him around campus, whatever, he will change this leadership problem at our guard positions, which is four of them in Billy Ball. The transfers and Walker give us some fighters to help Kasey.

I think Billy can't win at Rupp due to coaching there. It a mental block for him. This years Kentucky team was pretty bad and we whiff. Now Nashville and a far regional which is our staple under Billy Ball. I know how the soldiers felt at the Alamo.

akaGatorhoops · 03-09-2013, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WESGATORS

Fans calling their own teams chokers is classless, no matter who does it. It's a lazy analysis and easy cheap shot at the ones doing all the work.

Go GATORS!
,WESGATORS

I am failing to see how it is classless or lazy.
I try to be honest, and if anything am often accused of being too optimistic.
I would not call these kids "chokers" per say as I dont think it is a personality attribute but moreso a description of how a team perhaps played in a moment. But as I said in the post... they have recently become tight when having a late lead, whereas previously they have crushed teams. It may be an unflattering comment, but I am not sure why it is such taboo to say that a team "choked".
That is not an assault on the players as it is how they played. If you prefer that I say they played "tight" or "hesitant" in the waning moments... so be it.
But to me, that is the definintion of choking.... and I think the team did that today.

gatordavisl · 03-09-2013, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by akaGatorhoops

I am failing to see how it is classless or lazy.
I try to be honest, and if anything am often accused of being too optimistic.
I would not call these kids "chokers" per say as I dont think it is a personality attribute but moreso a description of how a team perhaps played in a moment. But as I said in the post... they have recently become tight when having a late lead, whereas previously they have crushed teams. It may be an unflattering comment, but I am not sure why it is such taboo to say that a team "choked".
That is not an assault on the players as it is how they played. If you prefer that I say they played "tight" or "hesitant" in the waning moments... so be it.
But to me, that is the definintion of choking.... and I think the team did that today.

Good post. In fact, someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but I do not believe anyone called the players chokers on this thread (probably did in others, but not here).

akaGatorhoops · 03-09-2013, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gatordavisl

Good post. In fact, someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but I do not believe anyone called the players chokers on this thread (probably did in others, but not here).

My post originated using the word "choke", which to me is synonymous with "hesitant" or "timid" play in the waning, winning moments.
I did not call the kids "chokers", but I think it is a fair description of those final 7 minutes.

qwghlmgator · 03-09-2013, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by akaGatorhoops

My post originated using the word "choke", which to me is synonymous with "hesitant" or "timid" play in the waning, winning moments.
I did not call the kids "chokers", but I think it is a fair description of those final 7 minutes.

But your original post brought up a salient question? What happened to that mental edge. I certainly seemed to be a big part of our dominance in the early and middle part of the season...and it certainly seems to be missing now. I agree with you that it's starting to look/feel like mental fatigue. Billy seemed to allude to this in the Vandy postgame when he said he was looking to get some practice/teaching time in while lamenting how little time the team has had to lately to work on getting better. That's something that can be alleviated by the postseason hopefully.

akaGatorhoops · 03-09-2013, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by qwghlmgator

But your original post brought up a salient question? What happened to that mental edge. I certainly seemed to be a big part of our dominance in the early and middle part of the season...and it certainly seems to be missing now. I agree with you that it's starting to look/feel like mental fatigue. Billy seemed to allude to this in the Vandy postgame when he said he was looking to get some practice/teaching time in while lamenting how little time the team has had to lately to work on getting better. That's something that can be alleviated by the postseason hopefully.

Yeah... there is no denying that there is a mental component to sports. And it seems that we are mentally fatigued. We seem to be slow to start games and halves. We concede leads when we previusly built upon them. We offer easy baskets when previously we locked out the opposition. We are getting beat on the glass in critical situations and outworked for loose balls. We are too calreless with our possession and reverting to some early-season mistakes (see: Mike Rosario).
This team is too skilled for me to think that those are beyond its capabilities now. I do think this team still has the talent and components to make a run. It is conjecture, but perhaps there is mental fatigue--- and hopefully the fresh start of post season can offer remedy.
This team needs to restore its confidence, fight and killer instinct.
This team needs to bury its opening SECT opponent and keep it rolling from there.

xenythx · 03-09-2013, 06:34 PM

People don't want to admit it but Billy Donovan teams seem to hit a late regular season wall pretty often. It doesn't make him a bad coach because they end up doing pretty well in the tournament, but it definitely does happen.

NoahBeanBizzel · 03-09-2013, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WESGATORS

Well, a little at a time. Hopefully it happens by next Sunday. Be patient, and enjoy the ride. What else can we do?

Go GATORS!
,WESGATORS

Pretty much, man. It takes time. I know it's not convenient, and it's definitely something people don't want to hear, but that's the reality of the game of basketball. You can just see that the chemistry with this team is off. I think that is the biggest issue surrounding them right now.

I think one realistic change, though, is starting Prather. He has to be on the floor as much as possible. Have Boynton come off the bench to provide a spark, but let Prather's natural talent take this team to the next level. He really is playing at a high level, and I believe he's the one player on this team who can take a game over by himself and dominate when asked to.

JaxLizard · 03-09-2013, 07:16 PM

I'm tired of Rosario's careless play. His turnovers have led to breakaway baskets and are just huge momentum plays for the opposition. I need to get off this site, I am just so pissed off.