Instigator, it's hard to watch a game cast and get an idea of what was really going on out there. I watched it live on Gatorvision, and some of the stats can be easily explained and don't seem as harsh if you watched it.

Tyus had 3 turnovers. But 2 of them came on him trying to lead the break ala Noah, and getting the ball knocked away on one, and dribbling off his knee on the other. Donovan will tell him to dish it in the future, and those TO's won't be there. Otherwise Tyus was an animal out there, in many areas that don't show up on the stat sheet. He looks bigger and stronger, and more conditioned than ever before, and he intimidates/forces players to redirect their shots/drives. He also had 2 blocks that didn't show up on the stat sheet.

Macklin looked rusty, but man, he is a freak. He could really move out there, and he can get up off the floor. He was patrolling the paint, and forcing the offense to work around him. Doesn't show up in the stat sheet. But he played somewhat undisciplined and allowed some buckets because he was out of position...he will shake the rust off. He had some nice post moves and post passes. He looked competent with the ball in his hands. He just let go of about 8 rebounds that he had in his hand and/or tipped - if he gets those, he's in double digit rebounding, but again, if you watched it, you saw that he was all over it. He'll pull it all together. 1st game in almost 2 years...not too bad at all

Kadji is a stud waiting to explode, but he's just got to believe it, and get over that hump and get in top condition. His potential is phenomenal. He is in better shape than ever before, but still needs more gas to be a starter. He can play D like a stud, perfect fundamentals, but he needs to believe he can score and get some confidence in his footwork and his great size. When he does, he's hard to stop.

Murphy is a straight up player. I am in awe of how complete he looks for a true freshman. Fantastic development by his dad. He will push for some major minutes this year.

Parsons looks a lot better and more confident. I don't care what his stat line says, he looks like a different player (literally -- he looks like David Lee with his hair now ) He had a couple of authoritative jams off the baseline drives, and some nice passes showing good court awareness.

quote:

Originally posted by Osiris:
Instigator, it's hard to watch a game cast and get an idea of what was really going on out there. I watched it live on Gatorvision, and some of the stats can be easily explained and don't seem as harsh if you watched it.

I agree you can not understand everything from a gamecast, but I think it is good to look at the facts not just what you see.

But really I am posting this for one question. Did UF play any man or all zone or all man for that matter?

OK, I was there and here are a few thoughts. Most importantly, the quality of the Dazzlers is down from previous squads.

On to basketball and some random observations. Given the opponent, the outcome was as expected. If the SEC season started tomorrow, we would be a middle of the pack team.

Murphy played the post some and he was a surprise to me. He will be a good one I think along the David Lee lines.

Kadji looked lost at times. Did not dominate the smaller opponents.

Tishman has a funny looking shot. Almost like a set shot.

Walker will do fine a PG. Man that kid is fast.

Mackin was as Donovan has said. Not the magic answer but just another piece of the puzzle.

Parsons looked weird with longer hair. Almost did not recognize him at first. Still looking for his jumper but defense is better. Used him at the point on the press and he made it hard for the opponents to pass over him at times.

Werner did the dirty work inside meaning defense and rebounding.

Tyus showed moments of brilliance. I think he will be a surprise this year. Glad he came back.

Boynton is a stud. Smooth stroke. He will drive Vitale nuts with his game if he ever does one of our games.

I feel so sorry for Adam Allen with his knee problems. You can tell by looking at him that he wants to contribute so bad but can't.

And yest, the Gators played some man to man defense and looked good in it at times. I think we will see a lot more full court press this year too.

quote:

Originally posted by bigtifosi:


On to basketball and some random observations. Given the opponent, the outcome was as expected. If the SEC season started tomorrow, we would be a middle of the pack team.

Thankfully it doesn't. For that reason, the same could be said about any SEC team right now. Including UK. I was keeping up with their exhibition against Campbellsville and it was a turnover fest with a bunch of kids thinking "I'm a star" and trying to make a highlight reel. No teamwork, no cohesion. If they play that way during the SEC schedule, they will lose several. All of that offensive starpower only managed to score 74 vs. Campbellsville.

Here's a blurb about the game:

quote:

New Kentucky coach John Calipari promised some growing pains, and there were plenty as the Wildcats had 23 turnovers and were 3 of 14 on 3-pointers.

The point is, this is the time to iron out the kinks. We played well as a TEAM and showed really good chemistry. I like where we are right now a lot more than where UK is. Tennessee will be our toughest opponent as far as an across the board basketball team. We will handle our business.

I was disappointed about our rebounding or lack thereof. We were definitely the much taller team but were beaten on the boards. Murphy will be a big help in this area. He needs another year to put on some more muscle to bang with the SEC inside players but I certainly see promise there.

I was hoping to see more from Kadji but it is early and he has time to get better. He showed brief moments of potential so I know it is there, he just needs to bring it out.

I don't think we were outrebounded. St. Leo shot 21 three pointers, and missed on 20, so there were a lot of LONG rebounds. Even when we were boxing out, the boards were going over our heads. Also, we had a bit of the butter fingers on some of the boards, but that will be worked out. The key is, our guys had position and had their hands on the ball - the butter fingers will get fixed.

You have to look at a couple of important stats when you consider rebounds: St Leo only had 9 second chance points, and 6 fast break points. Florida had 17 and 10. We were effective on the offensive glass, and in transition off the defensive glass. Their offensive rebounds were long boards off deep attempts that did not result in cleanup or transition points.

I thought we looked impressive for a 1st game.
And you have to cut Macklin some slack...the kid has not played a game in almost 2 years. He was everywhere, just didn't rack up the stats because of some butterfingers on the boards. Orton did not look any more impressive yesterday.

quote:

Originally posted by bigtifosi:
I was disappointed about our rebounding or lack thereof. We were definitely the much taller team but were beaten on the boards. Murphy will be a big help in this area. He needs another year to put on some more muscle to bang with the SEC inside players but I certainly see promise there.

I was hoping to see more from Kadji but it is early and he has time to get better. He showed brief moments of potential so I know it is there, he just needs to bring it out.

Rebounding was such a big problem last year. With all the emphasis, off-season focus and new post players I though we would have a better showing against St. Leo, even in an opener.

It's funny to hear Cal talk about UK being a work in progress with the expectations already sky high. Top 10? That was the first college game for about half the starters.

quote:

Originally posted by bigtifosi:
Kadji looked lost at times. Did not dominate the smaller opponents.

He came in and immediately blocked two shots in a little over a minute of playing time? So I am not sure what you mean by did not dominate, perhaps you mean offensively?

quote:

Originally posted by bigtifosi:
Walker will do fine a PG. Man that kid is fast.

I would be very surprised if this is true. One thing Walker was not last year was quick or fast for a 5'7" guy. That is why he was viewed as a two more than a point.

quote:

Originally posted by bigtifosi:
Werner did the dirty work inside meaning defense and rebounding.

He got 3 rebounds and one steal. So I am not sure the doing the dirty work comment sells. Also he was playing the 3 a good bit not the 4. The three is less of a "dirty work" position.

quote:

Originally posted by bigtifosi:
And yest, the Gators played some man to man defense and looked good in it at times. I think we will see a lot more full court press this year too.

Thanks. I am just concerned that some of our guys have the footwork to play man D.

FYI, we outrebounded them by 25%

Total Rebounds:
Florida - 51
St. Leo - 38

Kadji led the team in blocks with 4. Something that doesn't show up in the stats is how well he moved his feet defensively and kept his hands active and high, discouraging many shot opportunities and forcing a pass or a TO. He looked very dominant defensively.

Offensively he is still hesitant. But I liked what I saw on one possession where he backed his way in with solid footwork and made a power move at the hoop - but was called for a BS charge.

Walker looked slow last season for the same reason Tishman looks a bit slow this season....hesitation and overthinking.

Both of them are quick guards, but Walker is confident this year, just as I've been telling you guys all offseason. Tishman just needs time to adjust to the speed of the American game. He's got some speed, and that has been on display at practice, but it will be a transition getting him to show up big in games.

quote:

Originally posted by Osiris:
FYI, we outrebounded them by 25%

Total Rebounds:
Florida - 51
St. Leo - 38

Even better--that's just over 34%.

quote:

Originally posted by sxottt:

quote:

Originally posted by Osiris:
FYI, we outrebounded them by 25%

Total Rebounds:
Florida - 51
St. Leo - 38

Even better--that's just over 34%.

Most of that was in the second half and against a smaller team. Our bench is a lot deeper as well.

quote:

Originally posted by Osiris:
Sorry, left Thunder Dan out.

Werner: 6 points, 3 rebounds, 1 Assist, 1 Steal in 18 minutes. Werner started, but played less minutes than Shipman and Parsons.

2/4 FG
0/2 3 pt
2/2 FT

Thank you Egyptian history dude....werner is awful....if they phase him out I'm okay with it. I see he's starting out great from 3 already.

quote:

Originally posted by InstiGATOR:

quote:

Originally posted by bigtifosi:
Kadji looked lost at times. Did not dominate the smaller opponents.

He came in and immediately blocked two shots in a little over a minute of playing time? So I am not sure what you mean by did not dominate, perhaps you mean offensively?

quote:

Originally posted by bigtifosi:
Walker will do fine a PG. Man that kid is fast.

I would be very surprised if this is true. One thing Walker was not last year was quick or fast for a 5'7" guy. That is why he was viewed as a two more than a point.

quote:

Originally posted by bigtifosi:
Werner did the dirty work inside meaning defense and rebounding.

He got 3 rebounds and one steal. So I am not sure the doing the dirty work comment sells. Also he was playing the 3 a good bit not the 4. The three is less of a "dirty work" position.

quote:

Originally posted by bigtifosi:
And yest, the Gators played some man to man defense and looked good in it at times. I think we will see a lot more full court press this year too.

Thanks. I am just concerned that some of our guys have the footwork to play man D.

Well I guess I really did not see these things then. How can someone who was at the game know more than someone who did not see it in person. Nice to see you are still the same know it all you have always have been. I'm sorry for having an opinion.

Where are the points coming from? Which offensive groupings looked promising?

quote:

Originally posted by bigtifosi:
Well I guess I really did not see these things then. How can someone who was at the game know more than someone who did not see it in person. Nice to see you are still the same know it all you have always have been. I'm sorry for having an opinion.

So let me see if I have this correct:

1. If I ask a question about what you meant about Kadji like, "So I am not sure what you mean by did not dominate, perhaps you mean offensively?," I am daring to question your opinion and you saw the game and I didn't so HOW DARE ME?

2. If I make a statement like "I would be very surprised if this is true. One thing Walker was not last year was quick or fast for a 5'7" guy.," I am daring to question your opinion and you saw the game and I didn't so HOW DARE ME?

3. If I say about Werner "He got 3 rebounds and one steal. So I am not sure the doing the dirty work comment sells.," I am daring to question your opinion and you saw the game and I didn't so HOW DARE ME?

It couldn't be that you could answer that question about whether you meant offensively or defensively with Kadji? It couldn't be that the level of competition last night was making Walker look quick than in the past or as Orisis said maybe the game is "slowing" down for him as a Soph. It couldn't be that maybe that you could try to better sell your opinion of Werner's play since your rebound argument does not hold up so well with the fact of 3 rebounds. It couldn't be that there are distraction at games like Dazzlers, people moving in and out of seats etc. It couldn't that people sometimes see what the their preconceive notions are. And none of this would be worth discussion on a discussion board.

No it must be that I am "... the same know it all you have always have been."

quote:

Originally posted by Liti-Gator:
Where are the points coming from? Which offensive groupings looked promising?

Boynton and Tyus are scorers. Walker can score at will, but has decided to be a distributor, which is fantastic. His 9 assists may be the best stat of the night. The kid is playing quick, confident, and smart - he has the ability to beat people off the dribble and get off screens that nick didn't have, and he's also got a true star helping him at the 2, which Nick didn't have.

The surprise scorer is Eric Murphy. Do you remember Speights as a freshman? The 04's called him "instant offense" because he could come in and put up double digits in 15 minutes. Murphy is the same way. Great offensive footwork and instincts. He can get mugged and still power the ball into the hoop. He just knows where it is all the time.

That's going to be consistent. Aside from that, we have the luxury of having enough players that we can find out which player at each position is "on" and get them the ball as well, rather than being forced to try to squeeze water from a try stone because that's all we've got.

quote:

Originally posted by Liti-Gator:
Where are the points coming from? Which offensive groupings looked promising?

I think UF will have a nice distribution of points all around. I expect UF to get:

1. its share of points from the point guard. Maybe not as many points from there as last season but a reasonable amount.

2. an improved number of points from the 2 guard spot from last year. The two guard really has been a dead spot since Humphrey. Who would have imagined h would be the one we did not replace for two seasons?

3. Fewer points from the wing, with most of the wing points coming from Parson.

4. An improved number of points from the 4 compared to last year. This is the second area of improvement vis-a-vis last season.

5. A good number of points from the 5 spot similar to last season.

I would think UF will want to keep at least two of Walker, Boyton, Parsons, Tyus and Murphy in the game most of the time. Notice 3 of them start.

If you see a lineup of Tishman, Shipman, Werner, Kadji and Macklin, you would have great size but wonder where the points were coming from. Also defenses might colaspe on the interior players with that starting lineup.