Florida Scouting Report

[tzznandrew]

Florida manhandled an ultra physical Tennessee team twice. This game will be like going to the dentist. Something extraordinary has to happen.

Tennessee also beat them by 20.

 

[FfldCntyFan]

 

[YearoftheHusky]

If we got the individual performances below while playing as a cohesive unit on both ends, this is not an impossible task.

Alex v Nova
Solo @Marquette
Liam @Creighton (or at least v Zags)
Reed @Providence
Hass v Xavier
Samson @Xavier
Mahaney @Xavier
Stewart v Zags or Memphis

It's within them to win vs Florida. Question is whether they can find it on Sunday afternoon.

Oh, just that?

 

[B1GEast]

I think I might have hit a nerve. The Mojo is rising

 

[caw]

I think I might have hit a nerve. The Mojo is rising

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Had me until the last sentence. UF is not only one of the best teams in the country but has the best offense in the country over the last few weeks (at least). While UConns defense has been much improved over the last 5-10 games it’s still not nearly as good as we all would like. While it’s good enough to handle a mid OU team and most teams seeded 5 or lower, UF is not that.

This will be a struggle, maybe one UConn can win. If UConn does, I expect it to fall on the fairly capable hands of Diarra. He needs to control tempo, run the offense AND limit their best player. He’s been called on to do that all season, but Clayton is a different type than most of the star guards he has defended. Most have been attack the rim guards where Clayton is much more of a shooter with over half his shots from three. On the plus side he’s not as big and long as some of the guards who have terrorized UConn. Offensively he’s a taller Bazz, defensively he’s a sieve who they scheme to protect.

UConn can win by limiting possessions on both ends. Offensively that’s not a problem. Defensively they will try and speed it up. If UConn can get them to take quick shots to try and speed it up, that’s a good thing because as previous noted they run a very good offensive scheme. UConn cannot run with them. They do this really well by having two very good defensive guards starting next to him and two bigs clogging the paint. I expect them to have one parked in the paint at all times on defense unless UConn goes small.

Chinyelu is their best inside defender IMO. Hes a pretty classic raw offensive player who is big and a menace on defense with his size and length. I don’t care what the stats or metrics say they are their best defensively with him anchoring the paint. He does a ton of little things that contribute to winning.

UConn (on paper) rebounds the ball better but they crash the O-boards slightly better. So they might be a bit more susceptible to giving up a rebound on defense. But that will leave some opportunities for them to run.

Watching the last game they beat Tenn and Tenn missed a ton of open shots to start the game. Shots they got by getting UF in rotation with quick ball movement. The first five minutes I think Tenn went like 2-7 from three with all of them being open shots. It was great execution and horrible shot making but it did show that UF does have holes defensively.

 

[B1GEast]

Had me until the last sentence. UF is not only one of the best teams in the country but has the best offense in the country over the last few weeks (at least). While UConns defense has been much improved over the last 5-10 games it’s still not nearly as good as we all would like. While it’s good enough to handle a mid OU team and most teams seeded 5 or lower, UF is not that.

This will be a struggle, maybe one UConn can win. If UConn does, I expect it to fall on the fairly capable hands of Diarra. He needs to control tempo, run the offense AND limit their best player. He’s been called on to do that all season, but Clayton is a different type than most of the star guards he has defended. Most have been attack the rim guards where Clayton is much more of a shooter with over half his shots from three. On the plus side he’s not as big and long as some of the guards who have terrorized UConn. Offensively he’s a taller Bazz, defensively he’s a sieve who they scheme to protect.

UConn can win by limiting possessions on both ends. Offensively that’s not a problem. Defensively they will try and speed it up. If UConn can get them to take quick shots to try and speed it up, that’s a good thing because as previous noted they run a very good offensive scheme. UConn cannot run with them. They do this really well by having two very good defensive guards starting next to him and two bigs clogging the paint. I expect them to have one parked in the paint at all times on defense unless UConn goes small.

Chinyelu is their best inside defender IMO. Hes a pretty classic raw offensive player who is big and a menace on defense with his size and length. I don’t care what the stats or metrics say they are their best defensively with him anchoring the paint. He does a ton of little things that contribute to winning.

UConn (on paper) rebounds the ball better but they crash the O-boards slightly better. So they might be a bit more susceptible to giving up a rebound on defense. But that will leave some opportunities for them to run.

Watching the last game they beat Tenn and Tenn missed a ton of open shots to start the game. Shots they got by getting UF in rotation with quick ball movement. The first five minutes I think Tenn went like 2-7 from three with all of them being open shots. It was great execution and horrible shot making but it did show that UF does have holes defensively.

They are a hell of a team. I agree, but I really believe that some teams can play better in the tournament than in the regular season.

We have to slow the tempo of the game and make them work for each shot. If we allow them to get good looks, they'll hit their shots. They have excellent shooters and can hit deep shots from way down town.

They're active and move well in transition.

Rebounding will also be key, limit second chance shots.

This game can easily get away if we don't hit our shots from the outside.

The good thing is that we have shooters too. Should be a good game. If we keep the game close, we have a shot.

 

[DogMania]

If we got the individual performances below while playing as a cohesive unit on both ends, this is not an impossible task.

Alex v Nova
Solo @Marquette
Liam @Creighton (or at least v Zags)
Reed @Providence
Hass v Xavier
Samson @Xavier
Mahaney @Xavier
Stewart v Zags or Memphis

It's within them to win vs Florida. Question is whether they can find it on Sunday afternoon.

I'd like to think our A Game is a possible outcome, but here's what concerns me:

1. UF's depth, athleticism and length.

2. The look on some of the UConn players against Oklahoma did not exube confidence, especially McNeeley. Every time I looked at him, I couldn't help think, "this is not the look that I saw last year with Cam Spencer, of absolute tenacity."

If I was Hurley, I'd show Liam and the team tape of Cam, Clingan, Castle and other champion Huskies, and simply say, "To beat the Gators, that's the level of intensity and confidence you need own!"

 

[caw]

They are a hell of a team. I agree, but I really believe that some teams can play better in the tournament than in the regular season.

We have to slow the tempo of the game and make them work for each shot. If we allow them to get good looks, they'll hit their shots. They have excellent shooters and can hit deep shots from way down town.

They're active and move well in transition.

Rebounding will also be key, limit second chance shots.

This game can easily get away if we don't hit our shots from the outside.

The good thing is that we have shooters too. Should be a good game. If we keep the game close, we have a shot.

Just that word “should” which is my main disagreement. “Could” is definitely appropriate though.

I'd like to think our A Game is a possible outcome, but here's what concerns me:

1. UF's depth, athleticism and length.

2. The look on some of the UConn players against Oklahoma did not exube confidence, especially McNeeley. Every time I looked at him, I couldn't help think, "this is not the look that I saw last year with Cam Spencer, of absolute tenacity."

If I was Hurley, I'd show Liam and the team tape of Cam, Clingan, Castle and other champion Huskies, and simply say, "To beat the Gators, that's the level of intensity and confidence you need own!"

McNeeley seems to have hit the freshman wall, usually that comes a bit earlier but with his injury he’s hitting it now. He really isn’t doing anything “wrong” offensively. Most of his shots are “good shots” based on the shot clock. Can only hope he breaks out of it. He's due. Hes still taking pressure off Diarrra and gives the defenses another person higher up the scouting report to worry about which is giving Karaban some space.

 

[UCFan1513]

so it’s not the worst idea to head to the arcade for some Gator Panic?

Thanks for unlocking this memory

 

[housekeys]

If we defend without sending them to the line and limit turnovers (below 10 preferably), we have a good chance. Opponent FTA (discrepancy) and our turnovers are the two most significant factors in every one of our losses. Combine that with an offense where 2 of 3 (Karaban, Ball and Liam) play well , and we can win. Combine the aforementioned defense with any other offensive performance and we will struggle, and likely lose to a very, very good team.

 

[champs99and04]

Florida manhandled an ultra physical Tennessee team twice. This game will be like going to the dentist. Something extraordinary has to happen.

Funny you should use the dentist analogy, because typically it's used in reference to a team that struggles to score and plays at a really slow pace. Florida couldn't be further from either of those things.

UConn, on the other hand, does want to make this feel like a trip to the dentist for Florida. And given they play at one of the slowest paces in America, I do give them a shot to pull it off. Most of the teams in the SEC are wired similarly to the Gators and tried to make it a track meet. Tennessee is one of the few in that league that plays slow and beat them 64-44 in what was one of the ugliest games I've seen all year.

Yes, Florida did beat the Vols the other two times by a combined 39 points, but I think if you're looking for a blueprint on how to beat them, that might be it. It won't be 64-44 because UConn doesn't have the defense Tennessee does, but I could see them winning in the sort of way Frank Kaminsky era Wisconsin or Colin Gillespie era Villanova (also slow tempo teams that were better on offense than on defense) used to win where they shorten the game and make a team that's used to winning pretty win ugly.

 

[JungleLobo]

I guess you didn't read the post. I didn't buy into all the talking heads. The SEC was overrated this year.

Florida is a good team, but if you look at our coaching staff, history in the tournament and talent on our team, regardless of the ups and downs of this season, UConn is the team with the X factor.

You can't underestimate tournament team experience.

If you want to be like everyone else and just look at stats and wins go ahead. On paper they have the "better" team.

Based on the way I see it, we have the edge because we've already done it and have absolutely nothing to lose.

Who do you think is going to be more worried tomorrow? A bunch of Florida Gators players that hope to win a championship or UConn Huskies that have been there before and are used to environment? That goes for coaching as well.

Trust me, all of the pressure and anxiety is on Florida and if they fail to deal with it, you're going to see them make mistakes especially late in the game if it's close.

UConn will have a good chance to win this game.

They have been there before and won 12 of the last 13 games by double digits.

I'd like to think our A Game is a possible outcome, but here's what concerns me:

1. UF's depth, athleticism and length.

2. The look on some of the UConn players against Oklahoma did not exube confidence, especially McNeeley. Every time I looked at him, I couldn't help think, "this is not the look that I saw last year with Cam Spencer, of absolute tenacity."

If I was Hurley, I'd show Liam and the team tape of Cam, Clingan, Castle and other champion Huskies, and simply say, "To beat the Gators, that's the level of intensity and confidence you need own!"

Cam was 34 years old and would watch VHS tapes all night long.

McNeeley is a young pup

 

[Huskyfan4evr]

Reed and Johnson are going to rain 3’s today. The wrinkle Hurley has held back all year until the right moment.

 

[polycom]

I haven’t been here all season and I see nothing has changed. This will be straight forward if we can put the ball in the basket we will win. If we can’t I hope you have something planned to do in the second half.

 

[storrsroars]

Reed and Johnson are going to rain 3’s today. The wrinkle Hurley has held back all year until the right moment.

Ah, you went too far. If you'd gone with 'top of the key', you might've had something there.

 

[jibsey]

We and other teams have been playing every possession down to the last 5 seconds, sometimes getting bad shots off. So I guess that is the strategy except run when you can. We are still getting called for fouls at the same rate as before and I do have issues with refs calling fouls that are barely touch.

 

[Baltic]

Tired, but we have a quick turnaround, let's go!

Per KenPom, Florida, along with Duke, are the only teams in the nation with top-ten efficiency ratings in both offense and defense, so it’s clear to see why Florida’s analytical balance makes them a high-end title contender.

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With the #1 rated offense in the nation, all five of Florida’s starters rank within the top-250 of KenPom’s Offensive Rating. The fast-paced Gators’ lacks many holes – they shoot well, limit turnovers, rebound hard…the one pedestrian aspect of their offense is their national median FTA/FGA ratio and 72 FT%, which shows that, collectively, they don’t get fouled a lot and when they do they just aight at free throw percentage – more on that later. Fun fact: outside of their two true bigs, the other seven guys in their rotation have attempted 50+ 3PAs and made 34+% of those attempts, so when they play small ball with Alex Condon at the 5 (about 22% of their rotations), they can play true five-out ball.

The defense does an excellent job forcing iso looks over smooth ball-movement and their perimeter defense is one of the best in the nation. Collectively, their interior defense isn’t as strong, but their best defenders are in their frontcourt. In terms of matchups, UConn has about a +6.5% differential in offensive rebounding vs Florida’s defensive rebounding rates, so UConn has a clear advantage in getting second-chance points opportunities. Florida’s defense is also not super aggressive in generating turnovers, so they likely will not particularly take advantage of UConn’s propensity to giving up turnovers.

View attachment 108028

The numbers check out, but, more importantly, Florida’s roster – both in its talent and depth – is truly impressive. To quote Screen the Screener’s Gus Kearns, Florida’s got “two and a half of everything”.

Florida’s offensive punch is led by its starting backcourt, all of which were originally recruited as mid-major recruits: Clayton Jr. (Iona), Martin (FAU), Richard (Belmont).

First-Team All-American selection Walter Clayton Jr. is the perfect mix of production and efficiency. He’s more of an elite combo guard with point guard skills who possesses a dynamic mix of pure shooting, tough shot-making, and ball skills who is a quality ball-screen operator who wins with his craft, strength, creative handle, burst, and multi-level shotmaking. Not an elite defender, Clayton holds his own leveraging his physicality, quick hands, and adequate length to get stops and be disruptive both on and off the ball. At the NBA level, he might never be an All-Star, but he’ll have a long career. Diarra on Clayton Jr. all day.

With one of the best combos of strength and athleticism at the off-ball guard spot, Alijah Martin is a physical, hard-nosed two-way player who crashes the boards, moves well without the ball and can slash to the rim. As a perimeter threat and a straight line attacker, the “simplicity” of his offensive game actually pairs nicely with Solo Ball’s defensive strengths, as long as Ball’s defensive radar remains alert, especially considering Martin’s lack of length.

Will Richard is a smaller 3-guard who has a wide toolbox that lacks any soaring strengths, but also with few holes. A smart, high-IQ scorer on off-ball motion plays, Richard is also a decent scorer off-the-dribble even though he doesn’t have a great first step and isn’t the most capable finisher in traffic. Despite his 6’4-6’5 frame, Richard is rumored to have a 6’10+ wingspan, making him a versatile defender both on-ball and in space, however, there is a clear advantage if McNeeley can utilize his size.

Off the bench, Slovenian import Urban Klavzar is the team’s de facto backup point guard even though he profiles more as a floor spacer than a true point guard. Backing up the 2 and 3 is junior Denzel Aberdeen, who is a solid, versatile guard with good size, high IQ and disruptive defensive ability. He’d start for most teams in the tournament.

Florida’s four-man frontcourt can mix-and-match a bit, led by sophomore PF/C Alex Condon, who I think is one of the most underrated players in the nation. With an elite motor and ranked analytically by EvanMiya.com as Florida’s top-rated defender, the Australian is also super versatile offensively – he can shoot, pass, break down on the dribble, few players in the nation match his lunch pail grit with high-efficiency skill. He starts at the 4, but as I mentioned earlier, Condon gets small-ball minutes at the 5. Condon’s only weakness, a 61.4 FT%, so it’s not the worst idea to head to the arcade for some Gator Panic?

Like Aberdeen, backup power forward Thomas Haugh would start for most teams in the NCAA Tournament and he plays close to starters minutes. Also a facsimile of Condon, Haugh nearly matches Condon’s skill level and versatility on both ends of the floor, but while Haugh is an excellent defender and rim protector, Haugh doesn’t possess the size and all-out toughness of Condon. I still really like him, though.

Most of Florida’s rotations feature the tag team of Rueben Chinyelu and Micah Handlogten at the 5. Chinyelu is a classic, low-post big who keeps it simple on offense and is an excellent low-post defender. Intense, physical and tough, Chinyelu has the versatility to defend both Reed and Johnson. More of a 3-and-D guy at Marshall, the massive Micah Handlogten, who redshirted for most of this year, keeps his offensive game more simple at Florida and he is also a lock-down rim protector. An average athlete for a 7’1 guy, Handlogten’s feet down low are a work-in-progress.

Do you believe? Let’s do this!

 

[AntG168]

Whether it be victory or defeat, have no fear. For destiny awaits us all.

Go get em.

 

[TroyHall98]

I have major positive vibes about today. There is no pressure what so ever on UConn..maybe for the first time all season. I think UConn can let their raw talent come through and play with some joy. Dictate pace, set the physicality level, and play loose.

 

[Umami Zen]

We gotta make open threes.They gotta miss open threes. We can't turn the ball over. They have to make uncharacteristic mistakes. Blah-blah-blah.

Any competitor wants to play in a game like this. It's why they came to UConn. Playing with house money-Enjoy the experience -Bust your butt and leave it on the floor. Anything can happen-Its why they play the games and call it March Madness.