Sophomore guard Riley Kugel has struggled offensively through 14 games of the 2023-24 season, connecting on just 38.1% of his shots while shooting 26.7% from three, both noticeably lower shooting percentages from his freshmen season. Kugel ranks last on the Gators in effective shooting percentage and true shooting percentage among qualifying players, according to Ken Pom.
In an effort to get Florida’s athletic guard going offensively, Head Coach Todd Golden has moved Riley Kugel to the bench, where he’s averaged 12.5 points on 38.89% shooting across the Gators’ final two games. Kugel had a particularly great first half against Kentucky as the 6’5, 207-pound guard scored 11 first half points on 4-6 shooting including 2-3 from beyond the arc. Kugel also added three rebounds and two steals while turning the ball over just once in the first 20 minutes against the Wildcats. His remarkable plus-minus of 15 was a team high in the first half. Kugel finished with a plus-minus of 11 against Kentucky, which led the Gators.
“He’s been good,” Golden said in Kugel’s new role off the bench. “He’s doing what we expect him to do and what we’d expect him or any other guy on our team to do.”
“He’s not been the only guy to come off the bench. Will did against Wake. ZP, we brought him off the bench for a long time this year and to be honest he probably should have been starting from the first day back, especially the way he’s been playing all year. It’s part of being a good team, is having guys that understand what their role is and understanding how they can do their best for the team and regardless whether they’re starting or coming off the bench that they’re gonna get minutes they deserve. And then if they’re doing what they need to be doing, they’re gonna be closing the game,” Golden added.
“At the end of the day, at least from a competitive standpoint, I would much rather be a closer than a starter in terms of minutes in the game. He’s handled it well and I expect him to handle it well, and I expect him to keep playing better over the course of the conference season.”
Golden acknowledges the fact that Florida has weapons outside of Kugel that can score, perhaps putting less pressure on the second-year guard.
“We have enough guys right, that are capable,” Golden said on Florida’s depth allowing Kugel to figure it out. “When you say figured out, it’s more just on the offensive end, just getting comfortable getting in the rhythm. It’s the sign of a better team, right? Like Denzel is playing pretty well, especially on the offensive end. Will didn’t have a great game, but he’s been playing really well over the last month, and then ZP and Walt have been pretty consistent with their output. Yeah, as long as Riley continues to defend, that’s the first and foremost thing, you saw him kind of get back to himself in the first half Saturday, getting on transition, running through the passing lanes, being really aggressive, getting to the rim, getting to the foul line – six free throws, I think he had eight the game before. So those are the things that is him getting back to himself and I think he’s headed that way right now.”
At the end of the day, Riley Kugel increasing his offensive efficiency would go a long way in ensuring Florida lands a postseason bid.
“He’s one of the best athletes in college basketball. That’s for certain,” Golden said on Kugel’s athleticism. “He’s just explosive. Super super fast and when he’s locked in, really physical. That’s one of his best gifts for sure.”
Kugel is expected to come off the bench once again against Ole Miss on Wednesday night.