Good morning Gator fans!
I could say it’s a big week for Gator fans, and really from now on I could say that in every one of these newsletters because, well, the SEC is a monster and the Gators are in desperate need of some resume improvements to secure their NCAA Tournament fate.
So, on this big week, here are some thoughts I’m having about Florida basketball.
Kowacie Reeves needs to continue to start and play big minutes.
Freshman Kowacie Reeves got his second consecutive start against South Carolina, but it was a very different game than his first start. He seemed to be playing much more freely, and the Gators were actually seeking him out for shots. When given those opportunities he cashed in, putting up 14 points and showing why he was a five-star recruit in the eyes of some recruiting services.
Reeves gives the Gators something that no one else on the roster provides. He’s a knockdown shooter, and he’s 6’7”. He could also very well be the best player on the roster at creating his own shot. This is, of course, a Gators team that struggles to create shots and hit them when they become available, so it makes sense Reeves would fill a void.
His made buckets against South Carolina showed great footwork, finesse, and mechanics, and for a player who is that physically gifted at 6’7” with length and athleticism…it’s just hard to keep that player on the bench. It may have taken a little while for the Gators to fully incorporate Reeves but now that he’s comfortable and has shown what he can do, it makes sense to keep giving him big minutes.
It looks like Myreon Jones is the player who will sacrifice some minutes for Reeves.
Right now Penn State transfer Myreon Jones is a bit of a curious player. He’s a “shooter” who unfortunately has struggled to hit shots this season. On the other end of the floor he’s an average at best defender. So, you’ve got a player whose game can be pretty dependent on making shots, and right now the Gators just can’t bank on him doing that.
Against South Carolina he had a season-low in minutes, and that may be something that continues if the Gators continue to go to Reeves. It is worth noting that in his limited minutes he hit 2-5 threes, so perhaps when given less minutes he has fresher legs and therefore could be a better shooter. It’s something to monitor.
Brandon McKissic continues to be Mike White’s guy.
Turnovers have continued to be an issue for Tyree Appleby and that has meant a reduced role, and instead of that translating to more minutes for Myreon Jones, or perhaps Elijah Kennedy, it’s been more and more Brandon McKissic. McKissic was someone who I thought was getting too many minutes earlier in the season, and truthfully I still do think that, but I will say he’s been playing better basketball recently.
If there has been one player that has been allowed to play through mistakes this year, it’s McKissic who has had problems with turnovers, perimeter defense, and shooting. No matter the deficiencies in those three elements, White continued to play him a bunch. His turnover problems have quieted down and he’s been more sound defensively, though the shooting issue is still there.
Given that White has shown he’ll keep playing McKissic through pretty much anything you can expect to continue to see him a bunch, and perhaps his shooting will come around just like he was able to improve on the offensive decision making and how he covered up some of the defensive holes.
Wednesday’s game with Mississippi State will be a solid measuring stick for the Gators.
Mississippi State and Florida were both projected to finish near the upper-middle pack of the SEC and so far that looks to be about the case, and that means these two teams playing is a major measuring stick. Simply put, if the Gators want to finish in the upper half of the league, they’ve got to beat teams like Mississippi State. If they lose to a team like that, it probably shows they belong in the lower half. I’m not going to suggest this is a must-win game, but if the Gators were to lose, you kind of know at this point of the season where they sit in the SEC’s pecking order.
Bracket watch:
According to nearly all the top bracketologists in the country, the Gators are currently on the wrong side of the bubble. Of course, there are plenty of games to be played, but as it currently stands the Gators have work to do if they want to make the dance. Beating Mississippi State would be a huge step in the right direction and they’re in a similar position, and obviously the Gators want to be on the right side of them.
Sorry to end on that depressing note.
Go Gators!