Too many variables remain at this point to speculate. Do we get Fland? Do we get Condor and the Chins back? Is Xaivian SEC-ready? Can Lloyd and Ingram contribute right away? If yes to all, we're almost certainly a top-ten team, and in the mix for another national title. Then you need a couple lucky bounces.
It will be hard to replace that chemistry. Though if the front court (mostly) comes back that’s an excellent start to feel good about maintaining top 10-ish consideration. But the backcourt is all new and will have to form a new team chemistry so you never know how that goes. SEC was so brutal last year the margin between 14 wins and 9 wins was thin. Hell a special player like Clayton pretty much is that difference. Esp when you get him 2nd year in the system, along with 2 3rd year guys AND Martin who was a perfect fit.
I can't imagine a world where I would project this team being remotely as competitive as last year at this stage, even with Fland. The experience and productivity of those veteran guards is borderline irreplaceable. It's one thing to replace talent, but, in this day and age, that experience and productivity is what separates you. We saw it time and again all season in the consistently big games of theirs, the come-from-behind victories, clutch shots, pivotal plays. It's not reasonable to expect that of this group. Coming into the season, those four guards last year had a combined 12 years of college experience, 8 years starting (including 5 on NCAA tournament teams), and 5 years playing at Florida. They entered the season with a combined 4147 points and 8957 minutes under their belts. By comparison, Lee, Fland, AJ Brown, and Klavzar only have 7 years of college experience, 4 years as starters (only 1 for a tournament team), and 1 year alone at Florida. And they will start the year with 2251 total points and 4769 total minutes. Those are different stratospheres. Now, to their benefit, we return a ton of experience in the post that we didn't have to start last season. Our bigs basically doubled their combined minutes and point totals last year. And what those guys provide in terms of offensive rebounding, rim protection, and depth will translate very well, no matter who we play with on the perimeter. That's why I don't imagine a massive regression, like what happened to UConn or UNC. But a comparable team to last year is hard to envision, especially with our two best returnees basically excelling at the same position, and one of them having to play an entirely new position both to get more minutes and to fill out our vacant perimeter rotation.
IMO, the combination of Martin and his drive for excellence, Clayton's continued personal growth, and Richard's three-year stint with Golden and Associates is a darn hard thing to replace. The only way this new incarnation will achieve similar results is that it will be radically different than this last season. Instead of a guard-dominant team, it has to be front court dominant (with Haugh as an All-SEC wing) and a silly good weak side defensive team with Chins and hopefully a much more bulked up and motivated Condon being the inside forces against the big bulls they play. First, the guards that weren't The Big 4 (including Brown) will have to show they have grown (especially Klavzar) in comfort. And that includes perimeter defensive intensity. Then it will need to be that Fland is prepared to become the off-guard Clayton to Lee's PG combo of Clayton and Pullin. And all this is about NBA wannabe's being told they are just on the outside and they want to prove to the NBA that they belong. And, going back to the bigs, Chins can have a monster year doing just that. If Fland comes onboard, this team has the potential to do it again. But only if it embraces what Todd and Co. is selling and they realize this is a legacy effort in play and not a Kentucky/Kansas/Duke NBA audition tape. And if or WHEN they pull off the B-t-B, I will be ecstatic! But that will be the end of the line IMO. The team will flip too much after the next season to remember what it took to pull it all off. But still, it would make a DAMN FINE story. And so I say to Boogie, if you are perusing this thread:
A. New here. 2. Long time lurker. B. First post. 4. Enjoy reading everyone’s comments. What is abundantly clear about last year’s team is Golden struck gold (couldn’t help myself) with a team that prided themselves on being unselfish. Countless post game examples where coach and players said exactly that. Lee combined with (potentially) Fland will have to replace Walt’s productivity. Lee transfer to Florida not valued high enough I think. Kid can flat out hoop. Has that Canadian-esque guard play in him — this is way too high praise but I see traits of SGA/J. Murray in his style of play offensively. Fland was impactful coming back from hand injury in NCAAT for the pigs. Don’t think they get to sweet 16 without him in the lineup. He can bring the raucous for sure. If we sign Fland, and Condo/Chin come back — will we be a better team than last year? TBD. Certainly have a chance if Golden can keep the locker room unselfish IMO.
Enjoying the last several posts. Indeed it will be very tough to replace the excellent guard rotation of the 24/25 squad. Even if all the pieces return and BF signs, it's a stretch to think UF can replicate last season. But don't undervalue Todd's abilities to bring a new team together and "mesh". Me, I'm just excited UF has catapaulted back into the national conversation and high level H.S. and Transfer Portal kids are paying attention to the Gators.
If Boogie won’t commit to reduce my anxiety maybe we don’t even want him. He doesn’t take my health into consideration at all. So insane.
Are you kidding...after last years heart attack kids creating maximum anxiety and ruining your health is what Gator basketball is built on so he is a perfect fit.
I think last year's team improved a lot as the season goes. Besides the growth of each players, coaches adjustment are the more important reason for the improvement. We lost to Kentucky, then we beat Tenn by 40. We lost to mizzou at home and nearly lost to lowly South Carolina. We lost to Georgia. All these games exposed our issues. Then coaches made adjustment we beat No1 Auburn on the road. I feel like a similar trend will happen next season. Our coach showed they can improve the team in the long season. The key is player buy in. We had many coachable players last year and most of them returned. I think coaches chose Lee and Boogie not claude partly because they are more coachable.
party pooper Of course we get Fland, Lee is SEC ready and both Condor and Chins return. Book it. the freshmen, I dunno.
I agree, and perimeter defense is something to watch for the next year's team. Will Richard was so good defensively last year and so was Martin. We won a lot of games because we defended really well against their guards. Next year's team might have bettor offensive talent on the back court but i worry about the their defense even with Boogie Fland.
I think you are correct about all of that. Coach was on a show with Chandler Parsons and he sounded like he was ready to land a big time portal guy but didn't want to spill the beans. I also think Condo comes back. Maybe Parsons makes sure these guys get paid. Dude is loaded. Just hope if we do get Fland there aren't any chemistry issues having two ball dominant guards on the floor at the same time.
Welcome to NBN...don't be a stranger..please continue to post..great to have different perspectives..Go Gators!
Has Boogie even set a visit here, or anywhere yet? Lots of people manufacturing smoke about him committing to UF, somebody said "later this week", but you'd think a visit would happen first.
An article on one site said that’s not necessary in this case, for whatever reason. He has met with us multiple times, from what I understand. Strange, but these are strange days. Just hope we are comfortable with the fit if he doesn’t visit (though we have been sneaky quiet about getting kids in campus the last few years, so I still think it might happen).
