Three observations following Florida’s 71-68 loss to Vanderbilt at Memorial Gym:
— Offense had been a problem for the Gators in squandering leads in the final 10 minutes. This time, it was defense that cost the Gators. Florida was outscored 27-19 in the final 10 minutes due to numerous defensive breakdowns and fouls. The Gators were able to get better looks and didn’t drain the shot clock, and it resulted in point guard Chris Chiozza and senior guard Egor Koulechov making some shots down the stretch. But it wasn’t enough.
— The inability for Florida to make short shots inside the rim continues to hinder this team. Florida went 7 of 19 from 3-point range but were just 20 of 44 on two point guard. Kevarrius Hayes made a couple of post baskets early and Keith Stone hit some mid-range layups. But Chiozza and Mike Okauru both blew wide open layups inside, while Stone missed a makeable runner in the lane with 6 minutes left. Of course, the biggest missed two came from Jalen Hudson, who had a drive to the basket with 36 seconds left but failed to use the glass on a straight ahead drive that would have allowed the Gators to regain the lead.
— Despite a move back to the starting layup, junior guard KeVaughn Allen couldn’t build off his 19 point game against Georgia, finishing with just 7 points on 3 of 8 shooting. Allen made a big drive to put Florida up 68-66 with 2:27 left, but remains too passive to demand the ball down the stretch despite his scoring and athletic ability. Had Florida attacked Vanderbilt senior guard Riley LaChance a little more with Allen and Chiozza off the bounce, the Gators could have had a chance to pull out a close win. Instead, it was an afternoon of more heartbreak.
Same old, same old. Different day, same result. More of the same. Tomorrow is another day, only the result will be the same. You know what they say, when you do the same thing over and over and expect a different result you are insane. The coach is insane, He needs to go.
It’s crazy how we can see it coming especially when he plulled Egor it’s
It’s time to put some people on the dam bench starting with soft ass hayes and cheese might need to come off it to he’s just not into it right now Allen egor okura Stone and gak should start just see how it goes coach can’t be worst this lineup will get things going then bring in cheese and Hudson keep Hayes soft ass glued to the bench 5 min max a half he should play
Allen needs to ride the bench. Play Okura, Egor, Hudson, Stone and Basset. Tell Okura and Hudson to dive to the basket every play. Dish to Stone and Basset or kick out to Egor. Hayes is the softest big man in the league. Cheese and Allen can come off the bench for now until they remember how to play. Allen can’t play point. Just let him shoot. Maybe he will get his stroke back.
My glass is always half full, not half empty. Unfortunately, this season officially ended in Nashville, Tn. yesterday evening so lets look ahead to 2018-19. I try to see positive things only. The Gators do have four candies coming back in Allen, Hudson, Stone and Hayes. Hunch tells me that Ballard and Okauru will transfer and one of the recruits will be released from his LOI — guess they’re not chomping at the bit to play for this coach! Spoiled kids!
So, the starting lineup might be Allen, Hudson, Stone, Bassett and Johnson (I say Johnson with the assumption that he’ll be recovered from this sixth concussion and that he also doesn’t want to leave Gainesville). Although the bench will be pretty thin, a better team might evolve. Florida will be a rather slow, somewhat experienced, laid back team but this team has the hidden gem — Mr. Mike White!!! Can’t wait ’til next season.
Ballard maybe, but Okauru has practically penned himself in as next year’s starting PG.
UF LOSES CHEESE, EGBUNU, EGOR.
I WILL NOT ASSUME OTHER CASUALTIES.
GUARDS-OKARU, ALLEN,BALLARD, 2 FRESHMAN
FWRDS- HUDSON,STONE, JOHNSON, BASSETT
CENTERS – HAYES, GAK, 270 LB REDSHIRT FRESHMAN
NOT BAD IF TEAM COULD FIND CHEMISTRY .
2018 TEAM IS MYSTERY TO ME
THIS COULD HAVE BEEN THE BEST TEAM IN 10 YEARS.
FIRST NO CENTER, THEN TOTAL LOSS OF HOW TO WIN.
I DO NOT KNOW IF THEY HAVE NO BBALL IQ, OR WHAT.
LOSING TO UG AND VANDY IS SO DISAPPOINTING. THEY ARE CLEARLY THE WORST TWO TEAMS IN THE SEC. SO I GUESS THAT MAKE UF THE WORST TEAM IN SEC!!
Why did Ballard and Bassett only play a total of seven minutes yesterday?!!!
WHY????????????????????????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I’ll tell you why! Florida has a little boy coach and a fake coach! That’s why!!
”Had Florida attacked Vanderbilt senior guard Riley LaChance a little more with Allen and Chiozza off the bounce…” -Kevin Brockway.
That was my exact thought the moment LaChance picked up his 4th foul, Kevin.
Any ”baller” knows: GO STRAIGHT AT THE GUY WITH 4 FOULS! Especially when he’s the other team’s primary 3 pt. shooter. This team has been an ”enigma” to me all year, and it continues… into the 3rd week of Feb.
I give up! I will not be watching the last 5 minutes of any future games.
Hello Baseball! I believe UF will lose 5 of next 6 games.
Egbunu is not coming back. Get rid of him.(off the bench)
Had he 12 months to return, that tells me he never intended to return.
UF lost opportunity to recruit center that they disparately needed all season.
Only cheese and 3 gor should handle point guard. Start training Okaru for 2019. Allen is not point guard.
At this point UF should just play run and gun and try and outscore other teams.
Very disappointing year.