Gator hoops: Observations from the exhibition game

Here is what was accomplished in Florida’s 80-57 exhibition game win over Embry-Riddle Monday night: (1) Even though the Gators were playing an undermanned, vertically challenged team from the Division II Sunshine State Conference, Mike White got to see his guys, particularly all the new faces, playing someone other than themselves; and (2) once past the first half, the Gators got into a rhythm and played better.

We shouldn’t read too much into this game other than it provides good film study that White can use to correct mistakes and teach between now and next Tuesday when Elon comes to the O-Dome. Florida played a listless, almost disinterested first half, then ratcheted up the defensive intensity in the second half and that changed the dynamic of the entire game.

White’s starting lineup was a mix of returning veterans Colin Castleton and Anthony Duruji with transfers Brandon McKissic, Phlandrous Fleming Jr. and Myreon Jones. That’s probably going to be the starting lineup with Tyree Appleby and transfer C.J. Felder the first two off the bench.

In a very low-energy first half (UF led 31-25 at the break), the Gators looked like a team trying to break in a lot of new faces. There were lapses in the defensive rotations, too much standing around instead of tracking the ball for rebounds, and way too many missed shots (10-32 overall, 4-18 on 3-pointers).

The Gators played with much more energy and intensity in the second half. When the defense ratcheted up about five minutes into the half, the offense began to flow and the Gators began to look like a team. It was 41-37 when the Gators began to surge on back-to-back 3-pointers by Appleby, the second a 4-point play when he was fouled in the corner. That’s when McKissic took over the game, scoring 14 of Florida’s next 17 points to put the game well out of Embry-Riddle’s reach.

So here are some very short-sighted conclusions that could very well change next week when the Gators play their first real game:

1. This team isn’t very deep. In the early going, at least, it’s going to be a 7-man rotation. That’s not necessarily a bad thing unless there is foul troubles. Freshman Kowacie Reeves needs to grow up in a hurry because he can score and despite the fact he’s skinny, he’s got good hops and can help out on the boards. Niels Lane didn’t play much but he’s very physical so he needs to be ready to play. From what I saw of Jason Jitoboh, he still isn’t in great physical condition. I could see him as a 5X5X5 guy … as in 5 minutes, combination 5 points and rebounds, 5 fouls kind of guy. Toungthach Gatkek is 6-9, but way too skinny to give more than a couple of minutes.

2. Size is going to be a problem. If Castleton gets into foul trouble, either Jitoboh is going to have to make enormous strides to show that he can give quality minutes or Felder is going to have to be the backup. He’s only 6-7 but he has a 7-2 reach. He’s good on the defensive end, an adventure offensively. Duruji looked much improved. He can be a stretch four but he can’t afford foul troubles because there is no one else who’s (a) nearly 6-8, (b) has a 46-48-inch vertical and (c) experienced. The Gators will probably go with a 3-man rotation in the post with Castleton and Duruji starting and Felder filling in at both spots.

3. This could be the best defensive team since the Elite Eight team in 2017 even though the Gators lack size. That’s because all four transfers are very solid when it comes to defensive fundamentals and they’re very quick. McKissic and Fleming were defensive players of the year in their respective leagues, and Felder was one the top shot blockers and paint defenders in the ACC. Jones was an above average although not elite defender in the Big Ten. Castleton is 6-11 and last year proved he is an exceptional shot blocker, but he’s not extremely physical. Duruji can jump out of the gym but has to be more focused on rebounding fundamentals instead of relying on his athleticism, which got him into trouble at times last year. Appleby is quick enough to handle most of the point guards the Gators will face. Beyond those seven, defense will be an adventure, at least early on. I keep hoping Jitoboh can give the Gators more than five solid minutes a game. If he can do that, the entire defensive dynamic of the team changes.

McKissic and Fleming are grown men who can play a very physical game yet both have the quickness to succeed in open court defense if White elects to mask some of the size deficiencies by making it a full court game with the press.

4. This may turn out to be a live by the three, die by the three team. Although Jones didn’t make a single 3-ball, everything he throws up looks like it’s going in. I liked McKissic’s shot a lot and was surprised by Fleming. I still think he’s going to have to score most of his points off his defense and in transition, but I don’t think he’s going to have prolonged shooting slumps, not with the nice release and squared shoulders when he shoots. Appleby is a known commodity who can heat up and stay hot.

5. The Gators had 18 assists (7 by Appleby, 4 by Jones, 3 by Fleming) and only nine turnovers. Last year the Gators had more turnovers than assists. If they’re going to be successful this year, they’ll have to have no worse than a 60/40 (or better) turnover-to-assist ratio. Once in the second half against Embry-Riddle, there was much better ball movement around the perimeter and what seemed a commitment to make the extra pass.

Final assessment: It’s early. A lot can change in the month of November and December heading into the SEC portion of the schedule. I’m concerned that the Gators aren’t tall enough, but I am encouraged that they have better defenders and can make up for a lot of deficiencies by locking the other team down.

One veteran Florida basketball observer told me last night pre-game that he thinks this team will go in one of two directions: Either a very high ceiling in which they are one of the truly surprise teams in the SEC or else one that will have to fight hard to remain somewhere in the middle of the pack.

If the team chemistry is there – and it certainly wasn’t last year after Keyontae went down – then this could be the surprise team. If the chemistry is anything like it was from January onward last season, then the Gators are going to struggle to find themselves. I realize it was only one game and an exhibition game at that, but what I saw of this team on the court, in the huddles and on the bench was encouraging. I saw some leadership, which is something I think last year’s team severely lacked. I’m not sure who will emerge as the true leaders on the team, but I think McKissic and Appleby can be the glue guys who hold the team together and everyone follows.