Top Performers:
Will Yeguete: 8 points (4/5 fg), 4 rebounds
Erik Murphy: 7 points (2/4 fg, 1/2 3pt, 2/2 ft), 3 rebounds
Kenny Boynton: 6 points (2/5 3pt), 3 assists
What I was wondering (from preview):
1. I'm predicting Yeguete to start, with Rosario moving to shooting guard, and Boynton taking over for Wilbekin. If Yeguete doesn't start, who does Donovan insert?
Answer: Will Yeguete did end up starting, so there were no surprises here. He has been the most impressive player so far in the two "scrimmages."
2. How will the elements affect play?
Answer: Both teams shot a combined 6/23 (26%) from behind the arc and there were a few airballs. The temperature remained in the low-60s/high-50s throughout the game. Obviously, the game was cancelled due to the amount of condensation on the court due to the humidity in the Jacksonville area. Even looking back to last year's game between North Carolina and Michigan State on the USS Carl Vinson in San Diego, both teams were very poor from the field. So the elements played a part in the poor shooting percentages from both the Hoyas and Gators.
3. Will Rosario step up and make a statement offensively, and also play better defense?
Answer: Mike Rosario continued his poor shooting and his defense was average. He was 1/5 (0/2 on threes) for two points. He looked out of place and he was moving too quickly when he had the ball. He was being too aggressive on offense. He just needs to knock down a couple of shots to get his confidence back to where it was last season and he needs to continually work on the defensive end. I'm expecting a big game from him versus Alabama State.
4. How will Patric Young deal with playing at home in front of family and friends?
Answer: Young played okay, nothing special. He scored the first Gator points of the regular season and it was only fitting that the hometown boy was the one who scored them. He finished with four points, three rebounds, and a block. His ever-improving jump hook enabled him to score the first basket of the game. He had to feel some pressure for being the local kid, as well as trying to build off last season in the hopes of leading Florida to the Final Four. While Young's stats haven't been that impressive over the first two games, I look for that to change on Sunday versus Alabama State.
5. Braxton Ogbueze will get significant minutes tonight due to Wilbekin's suspension. He played well in the exhibition game. How will he play in his first collegiate game?
Answer: Ogbueze had one assist, one turnover, and one steal in 4 minutes. The stats don't tell much because only 20 minutes were played. I didn't notice anything out of the ordinary with his play, but I'll be able to judge more from Sunday's game, where I expect him to get 20-25 minutes.
6. Will the Gators take advantage of the Hoyas' inexperience?
Answer: With the Gators leading at the half 27-23, you'd have to say so. The Hoyas are a long team, but struggled shooting the ball (the elements may have played a part in that). They were lucky to only be down four. It was a very sloppy game all-around, but the Hoyas' lack of experience showed on multiple occasions.
7. How will the whole experience of playing on an aircraft carrier impact me as a viewer?
Answer: The whole experience on TV was incredible. I'm going to quote Gene Frenette of The Florida Times-Union: "Everyone understood the decision and exited the ship in polite, orderly fashion. Nobody felt cheated that they didn’t get to see whether the Gators could build on a 27-23 halftime lead or if Georgetown might rally to victory. That’s because this basketball game wasn’t about who won or lost. It was about honoring the servicemen and women at the inaugural Navy-Marine Corps Classic, both those affiliated with the amphibious assault ship and other military veterans that came aboard to be part of the festivities. I doubt anyone who witnessed the 20 minutes of basketball will remember Gators’ guard Kenny Boynton hitting a couple three-point shots. Or Georgetown forward Nate Lubick having the game's only dunk. More likely, the memories players, coaches and fans will carry home with them is things you seldom see at a basketball game. Like seven Navy servicemen taking the oath to re-enlist on the court, then watching players from both teams spontaneously leave their huddles during a timeout to go shake each of their hands." An excellent use of words by Frenette and I echo his comments. While it was frustrating to see the game end prematurely, this game was more about honoring our armed forces than playing a game. Both teams were grateful to be a part of such a historic event and I just want to thank the men and women who serve our country; without you, we could not be free.
Selected stats (all Florida stats unless noted): *game was canceled after first half due to condensation on court
Three-pointers made/attempted= 3/10 (30%)
Free throws made/attempted= 4/4 (100%)
Field goals made/attempted= 10/22 (45.5%)
Fouls= 5
Turnovers= 8
Steals= 3
Georgetown turnovers= 6
Blocks= 2
Points off turnovers= n/a
Points in the paint= n/a
Second-chance points= n/a
Fastbreak points= n/a
Officials= Ed Corbett, Mike Roberts, and Mike Stevens
Attendance= 3,472
What's up next
The 10th-ranked Gators play their "first" regular season game of the season on Sunday (11/11) versus Alabama State. Tip is at 3:30 from the Stephen C. O'Connell Center in Gainesville, FL. Sun Sports has the television coverage and you can listen to the game on WRUF.
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