FLORIDA
FOOTBALL

2012
Schedule
Roster

 

Sep 1
M.OH
v.BwlGrn
Preview
Review
Sep 8
Texas A M

@TxAM
Preview
Review
Sep 15 Tenn @TN
Preview
Review
Sep 22
UK
v.UK
Preview
Review
Oct 6
LSU
v.LSU
Preview
Review
Oct 13
Vandy
@Vandy
Preview
Review
Oct 20
USC

v.USC
Preview
Review
Oct 27
UGA
FL-GA
Preview
Review
Nov 3
Mzzo
v.Mizzou
Preview
Review
Nov 10
UL-L

v.ULL
Preview
Review
Nov 17
ULL

v.JaxSt
Preview
Review
Nov 24
FSU

@FSU
Preview
Review

Gators First Shop

The Bush League Sports Podcast

01-19-2012
01-13-2012
01-12-2012
Gators Defeat Alabama In First Of Many “Must-Win” Games PDF Print E-mail
Written by Ryan Collins   
Wednesday, 18 February 2009
The University of Florida men’s basketball team once again defended the home court, defeating the Alabama Crimson Tide 83-74. UF, led by Nick Calathes’ 22 points, averaged about a 12 point lead throughout the entire game. Whenever Alabama reduced the deficit to single-digits, Calathes would line up on top of the arc and swish a three-pointer. Just as usual, the majority of the Gator’s points came from run-outs and three-pointers (although they were only 10-29 for 3). With the Gators coming off of two heart-breaking losses and playing at home, the outcome of this game was never really in doubt.

Sophomore G Nick “Wonderboy” Calathes had 6 assists and 5 steals. Shockingly, this assist total reduced his SEC-leading assist per game statistic. Junior F Dan Werner shot 2/3 from 3 point land, but is really struggling physically. Halfway through the first half, I saw Dan noticeably winded during a fast-paced stretch. I also witness Dan consistently getting dunked-on, layed-up over, and out-rebounded.

The out-rebounding was not entirely Dan’s fault though. The Gators struggled mightily on the glass, and there was one play midway through the second half where Alabama nabbed four offensive boards in a row before finally getting a foul. Yes, that is a lot of missed shots, but in this game the Crimson Tide actually out shot the Gators 48% to 40% from the field.

The lone rebounding bright spot came from Freshman F/C Kenny Kadji. Kenny scooped 8 boards and chipped in with 8 points. Senior G Walter Hodge, posted-up all night in Lee Humphrey’s famous corners of the O-dome, but managed to hit only 1-9 from outside. Sophomore F/C Alex Tyus had a solid game with 16 points and 7 rebounds, as usual the benefactor of numerous runouts and of course a few long-range jumpers. The one thing I keep noticing about Tyus is his terrible hands. During any given game his point total would be double if he were able to hold on to some of the perfect passes served up by his comrades.

The defense inside was not good. Luckily Alabama shot 10-20 from the free throw line, and was only 4-14 for three. If the Gators do not steal the ball on the opponents’ advancement out of their own half court, the opponent will likely score on the ensuing possession. However, the press does work from time to time, and Calathes and now even Sophomore F Chandler Parsons, love any opportunity to sneak in from behind and steal the ball from a point guard.

In the SEC race, LSU came from behind at Arkansas to stay two games ahead at 9-1. In the SEC East race, Kentucky was idle, but fortunately for the Gators, both South Carolina and Tennessee lost to western counterparts. This may hurt the Gators in terms of NCAA bid, but it may help to secure a first round bye for the SEC tournament. Ultimately, the Gators control their own destiny to reach the NCAA tournament and tonight’s outcome was the first baby step. I maintain that they MUST take care of Vanderbilt at home this weekend, and MUST win at least 2 of the remaining 4 “hard” games.

This Saturday’s game against Vanderbilt is at home at 3pm and should be seen on Lincoln Financially regionally. The first meeting of these squads was a 94-69 road victory for the Gators. Look for the Gators to continue feeling the heat of the NCAA bubble and the friendly confines of the O-Dome and outlast Vanderbilt with another barrage of three-pointers. Projection UF-78 Vandy-69


Last Updated ( Thursday, 26 February 2009 )
 
Discuss (4 posts)
Gators Defeat Alabama In First Of Many “Must-Win” Games
Feb 19 2009 22:00:06
I formulated my dream line-up:
Point Guard: Nick Calathes
Shooting Guard: Erving Walker (OPOT
Foward: Chandler Parsons
Center: Kenny Kadji
Foward: Alex Tyus
Yes, I know, no New Jersey scrappiness or crazy hair cuts, but does anyone else have a dream line-up?
#2127
Re:Gators Defeat Alabama In First Of Many “Must-Win” Games
Feb 20 2009 16:20:33
I am taking it you mean from this team.

I think Walker doesn't start over Hodge just to keep him fresh, and from hitting the 'freshman wall', so he can spell Calathes and run the offense. Because Hodge is inferior at point and someone has to give 'Wonderboy' a breather. Or be ready to step in if officials sit him down (UT game, our only loss by more than a couple points).

Anyways, here's what I think, you go BIG with the lineup...

Calathes, Parsons, Werner, Tyus, Chaney. Yes, I know Chaney's hurt. But he's better than Kadji, and why can't I make him healthy in my dream?

Needless to say, this lineup would struggle from 3's, unless Chandler gets his groove back. But I think having that much height on the floor would mean Chandler could concentrate just on his shooting ('shooting guard' and it would come around. Also, playing Werner with Tyus and Chaney could mean he doesn't have to force himself to be as physical, and concentrate on his offensive talents (he is capable of passing well and shooting well, there is a reason he was the highest touted recruit of that lost class). We seem to both agree that Tyus is a 4, and both of our suggestions take more advantage of his jumper.

I also think a big issue with our current lineup is that we have Hodge (undersized, which puts a ceiling on his D) with Calathes (not particularly fast, though great size) to defend the athletic guards SEC teams always seem to have. Walker is better than Hodge, but still small and could lead to the same problems. Parsons is too slight to play down low, but would be a huge matchup problem with this lineup.

Anyways, next year I think we go with this lineup:

Calathes, Boynton, Werner, Tyus, Chaney

I think Chaney emerges as our best post player. He's more suited to the low post than Tyus. But Macklin could also be the answer here, he's certainly more experienced.
#2130
Re:Gators Defeat Alabama In First Of Many “Must-Win” Games
Feb 21 2009 01:07:07
My dream lineup would be:

PG - Taurean Green
SG - Lee Humphrey
SF - Corey Brewer
PF - Al Horford
C - Joakim Noah

I can dream...

As for this year's team, I think I would have to go with this:

PG - Nick Calathes
SG - Walter Hodge
SF - Chandler Parsons
PF - Alex Tyus
C - Kenny Kadji

Tyus and Calathes are locks. I like the way Werner plays defense and rebounds, but if I have to watch him miss three after three any more, I might lose it. So Parsons should be at SF. Hodge and Walker are kinda interchangeable, so Hodge deserves to be the starter due to seniority. I prefer Kadji over Chaney at center, but it's close. I'll need to see more out of them. Either way, We need a tall guy in the middle, no doubt. Shipman, Walker, and Werner will do a fine job of backing up. What is going to become of Eloy Vargas and Adam Allen?

As for next year, this is how I see it:

PG - Nick Calathes (hopefully he'll stay)
SG - Kenny Boynton
SF - Chandler Parsons
PF - Alex Tyus
C - Vernon Macklin

Boynton will be that big scoring threat (outside of Calathes) that we're lacking. Hopefully Macklin will step up and dominate down low. Off the bench, we'll have Werner, Walker, Shipman, Vargas, Allen, Kadji, Chaney, and two more recruits PF - Erik Murphy (Entourage jokes aside) and C - Deshawn Painter. Are we going to have to redshirt? Are there going to be any Jai Lucas/David Huertas-esque departures???
#2134
Gators Defeat Alabama In First Of Many “Must-Win” Games
Feb 23 2009 18:44:07
I'm not sure it Tyus' hands that are his problem. He might not have perfect hands, but he is definitely no Bonell Colas. I think his problem is not being aware of the passes that are being thrown to him. Most of the time when you see him miss a pass he is already looking for the rebound or looking off the ball; which makes me think he doesn't know they are coming. Either way this is something that he should be better at considering how much he practices with these guys.
#2138

Quick Post

 
Security Image Text:


CAPTCHA Image
Reload Image (Not case sensitive)
 

Discuss...
< Prev   Next >
 
Sunshine Greens