Macklin shakes off jitters

Florida junior center Vernon Macklin was eager, perhaps too eager, to make a good first impression in Florida's exhibition opener last Monday night against Saint Leo's.

But the nerves that served freshman guard Kenny Boynton (22 points) well did not have the same positive effect on Macklin. The 6-foot-10 Macklin finished with seven points and four rebounds in 23 minutes against the undersized Division II team.

Macklin, a Georgetown transfer who had to sit out last season, got off to a jittery start when he dropped a post feed for a turnover on Florida's first offensive possession.

"I hadn't played a game in a long time so I was nervous," Macklin said. "I don't think it really kicked in all of the way. I was still trying to get into the rhythm of the game."

In the first half, Macklin struggled corralling long rebounds off missed Saint Leo 3-point attempts. He also had to adjust to being in the right position in the back of Florida's press.

In the second half, when Florida turned to more conventional halfcourt defense sets, Macklin did a better job rebounding the basketball. Three of his four rebounds came in the final 20 minutes.

"It was just all in my head," Macklin said. "I just should have gone out there and have been ready to play no matter what, first game and treat it like I do in practice."

Florida coach Billy Donovan said that Macklin, a former McDonald's All American, has shown flashes of stronger play in practice. Macklin will start at center again when Florida plays its second preseason game on Monday against Webber International.

"The next thing (Macklin) needs to do is be an energy guy on both ends of the floor," Donovan said. "He needs to be an energy offensive rebounder, he needs to be an energy defender where he's got to stay down in his stance, he's got to move his feet. He's got to get more resistance when he's playing his man.

"He's trying. I think the one thing I really admire and respect about Vern is he's a good listener and I think he wants to be a good player."