Mike White's 2020-21 Team
- Thread starter instaGATOR
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Expectations are pretty high. I truly hope they live up to what is expected. This is a big year for Mike White and his program, IMO, and I'm wishing nothing but the best for him.
That’s great and all but we were preseason top 10 in the country last year. Expectations were high last year also. Big year for White
Using your butt logic....
That's true, but then they were in the Elite-8 a couple of years before that,,, or do we just remember the negative things from the past?
And I wouldn't call this 'cluster Co-V year' big for anyone in college B-Ball.
It's more like a get through it, and then move on to 2021-22.
Using your butt logic....
That's true, but then they were in the Elite-8 a couple of years before that,,, or do we just remember the negative things from the past?
MAC conference just canced for now. Starting out top 10 is better than not being ranked going into the season.
And I wouldn't call this 'cluster Co-V year' big for anyone in college B-Ball.
It's more like a get through it, and then move on to 2021-22.
No upward movement but lots of talent. Look what Mullen did in one and two years with our challenges. We MIGHT had made the tournament this last year. Outside of a lucky last minute shot we, a few seasons ago, we haven't been past the 16 since that year. it's been like 5...we're the VT from football in basketball.
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Season accomplishments in order of importance to me as a Gator fan.
Beating FSUcks in the regular season. (yawn)
Beating Tennis-sea in the regular season. (ho-hum)
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Having a winning season. (Every year after taking over a loser)
Having a 20 win season. (Every full season)
Winning the SEC Reg. Season.
Winning the SEC Tourney.
Making the NIT. (1st year to quarter finals with no home games)
Making the NCAA.(every year since 2nd year)
Making the 16 / 8 / 4 / 2 / (never been a tourney one & done)
Winning another NC.
Solid Quality of Life extras:
Keeping up with the 'Gator Standard.'
No off the court problems.
Solid Academics and graduation rates.
PS
Both Dan and Mike took over after a loser season.
HC Mullen has not won a NC.
HC Mullen has not won an SEC-C
HC Mullen has not even won an SECe-C
HC Mullen has not even beat UGly once.
Well, I guess we need to fire both Dan and Mike for their combined incompetence...
Beating FSUcks in the regular season. (yawn)
Beating Tennis-sea in the regular season. (ho-hum)
-----
Having a winning season. (Every year after taking over a loser)
Having a 20 win season. (Every full season)
Winning the SEC Reg. Season.
Winning the SEC Tourney.
Making the NIT. (1st year to quarter finals with no home games)
Making the NCAA.(every year since 2nd year)
Making the 16 / 8 / 4 / 2 / (never been a tourney one & done)
Winning another NC.
Solid Quality of Life extras:
Keeping up with the 'Gator Standard.'
No off the court problems.
Solid Academics and graduation rates.
PS
Both Dan and Mike took over after a loser season.
HC Mullen has not won a NC.
HC Mullen has not won an SEC-C
HC Mullen has not even won an SECe-C
HC Mullen has not even beat UGly once.
Well, I guess we need to fire both Dan and Mike for their combined incompetence...
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ESPN's Joe Lunardi's projections for NCAA seeds (7) for the SEC in 2020-21:
4. UK
5. TN
6. UF
8. LSU
8. Ark
10. UA
10. MS
Note: In Thomas GoldKamp's article, he has a major (dumb-chit) moment.
"Florida missed the NCAA Tournament in 2018-19."
Correction: 2019-20 would have been Mike's 4th consecutive NCAA Tourney.
2018-19: 20-16 vs an always Top 5 SoS.
SEC-T -- W-Ark, W-LSU, L by 3 pts to AU
NCAA-T - W-Nev, L-#2 Mich
Jr C Gorjok Gak sat out the 2018-19 season recovering from offseason knee surgery.
>>> 2019-20 Gak appeared in only 2 games while battling various injuries before leaving the team at the end of December.
2018-19 Sr PF Kevarrius Hayes was forced to play out of position at center.
Leaving SF Keith Stone to fill in at PF. -- Averaged 6.1 points and 3.9 rebounds in 17 games with 13 starts before suffering a torn ACL on Jan. 19 at Georgia.
<<>> I mean jus-damn...
==========
Incredibly poor luck at the center position has plagued Mike's teams since the E-8 season, but those Big Man problems are behind him now, hopefully....
https://247sports.com/college/flori...ed-in-Lunardis-latest-bracketology-150161574/
4. UK
5. TN
6. UF
8. LSU
8. Ark
10. UA
10. MS
Note: In Thomas GoldKamp's article, he has a major (dumb-chit) moment.
"Florida missed the NCAA Tournament in 2018-19."
Correction: 2019-20 would have been Mike's 4th consecutive NCAA Tourney.
2018-19: 20-16 vs an always Top 5 SoS.
SEC-T -- W-Ark, W-LSU, L by 3 pts to AU
NCAA-T - W-Nev, L-#2 Mich
Jr C Gorjok Gak sat out the 2018-19 season recovering from offseason knee surgery.
>>> 2019-20 Gak appeared in only 2 games while battling various injuries before leaving the team at the end of December.
2018-19 Sr PF Kevarrius Hayes was forced to play out of position at center.
Leaving SF Keith Stone to fill in at PF. -- Averaged 6.1 points and 3.9 rebounds in 17 games with 13 starts before suffering a torn ACL on Jan. 19 at Georgia.
<<>> I mean jus-damn...
==========
Incredibly poor luck at the center position has plagued Mike's teams since the E-8 season, but those Big Man problems are behind him now, hopefully....
https://247sports.com/college/flori...ed-in-Lunardis-latest-bracketology-150161574/
Didn’t Mike White have a big man last year? He went out and got one of the top transfer targets in all of college basketball.ESPN's Joe Lunardi's projections for NCAA seeds (7) for the SEC in 2020-21:
4. UK
5. TN
6. UF
8. LSU
8. Ark
10. UA
10. MS
Note: In Thomas GoldKamp's article, he has a major (dumb-chit) moment.
"Florida missed the NCAA Tournament in 2018-19."
Correction: 2019-20 would have been Mike's 4th consecutive NCAA Tourney.
2018-19: 20-16 vs an always Top 5 SoS.
SEC-T -- W-Ark, W-LSU, L by 3 pts to AU
NCAA-T - W-Nev, L-#2 Mich
Jr C Gorjok Gak sat out the 2018-19 season recovering from offseason knee surgery.
>>> 2019-20 Gak appeared in only 2 games while battling various injuries before leaving the team at the end of December.
2018-19 Sr PF Kevarrius Hayes was forced to play out of position at center.
Leaving SF Keith Stone to fill in at PF. -- Averaged 6.1 points and 3.9 rebounds in 17 games with 13 starts before suffering a torn ACL on Jan. 19 at Georgia.
<<>> I mean jus-damn...
==========
Incredibly poor luck at the center position has plagued Mike's teams since the E-8 season, but those Big Man problems are behind him now, hopefully....
https://247sports.com/college/flori...ed-in-Lunardis-latest-bracketology-150161574/
Yep, neither Mike nor Dan have won chit yet after taking over loser teams, so fire them both and hire some NC coaches to replace them....
#31 PF Kerry Blackshear Jr 6-10 241 **** Natl. 121 - Orlando, FL
(in the Mar. UK game Kerry went out in the 1st half with a wrist injury)
So good that he wasn't drafted to the NBA.
So good that he wasn't given a FA slot to an NBA practice squad.
So good that he's had to go to Israel in order to play ball.
Is that the PF with a gimp foot, playing out of position at center that you're talking about Mike having?
Kerry is a good guy and a better than average PF that for one season helped fill a gaping hole that was left by Gak for the 2019-20 Gators. He made the team better, but he's still not a fast player that could run the floor.
I'm hoping that C Jason Jitoboh 6-11 285 So can continue to lose weight, get in better physical shape, and develop into the kind of dominating center that has been needed since Egbunu first got injured.
Otherwise, the PF's will need to continue to cover the center position. At least Mike has done well at PF recently, so maybe in a speed game they will be enough.
PF Anthony Duruji 6-7 220 rsJr (LaTech xfer)
PF Osayi Osifo 6-7 225 Jr (#1 JuCo PF)
PF/C Colin Castleton 6-11 231 Jr (NCAA 2020-21 Waiver Was Granted)
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PF Keyontae Johnson 6-5 229 Jr - All SEC 1st Team
PF/C Omar Payne 6-10 230 So
"It will be as athletic as a team as I’ve ever had the opportunity to coach, as I’ve ever had a team as we’ve had here at Florida in a while," White said in July
"Also, this time of year you always think you’re going to be really deep and you hope you’re saying the same thing mid-season. I think this team at least has a chance to be really deep and interchangeable. I'm convicted to press more. We're going to do that, especially early on and evaluate from there."
I'd like to see a Mike team play that had 3 guys that could run like Noah, Horford, and Brewer on it.
Ah well, wish in one hand,,,,,
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Why was former PG, now HC BillyD so successful at UF?
Why is former PG, now HC Mike White having success at UF?
"Throughout its history, the point guard has arguably been the most crucial player on the court for a team’s success." (Billy & Mike coach their PG's in particular)
White coached 2 School's All Time Career Assists Record holders:
UF - 3 star Chris 'The Cheese' Chiozza - 571
LaT - 2 star Kenneth 'Speedy' Smith - 858
The Gators have played the toughest overall and hardest non-conference schedule in the SEC over White’s tenure, and the Gators still rate 2nd among SEC teams during that period in average final KenPom rank, NCAA wins and SEC wins and 3rd in overall wins. Florida has achieved that success while playing in a historically tough SEC, as the league had 15 combined NCAA bids and an average KenPom ranking in the 50s in the 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons.
UF's Overall SoS (Ave KenPom Rating - Last 5 Seasons)
17.8 UF -- Only one in the Top 20 (Non-Conf. 24.0)
24.6 UK -- Only other one in the Top 25. (Non-Conf. 37.0)
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35.0 UA
35.4 TN
36.0 UG
Despite the challenging slate ahead of the Gators every year, the team rates 2nd in the SEC in KenPom rating, SEC wins, NCAA Tournament wins and 3rd in overall wins during the past 5 seasons.
During the campaign, White earned his 100th win as UF’s head coach, becoming the 5th Florida coach to reach that milestone. He reached the mark in 158 games, the 2nd-fastest to reach 100 (Billy Donovan, 154). The 2019-20 season also saw two of the largest rallies in Florida history, as the Gators came back from 22 points down vs. Georgia, matching UF’s largest ever, and 21 down against Alabama.
PF's Johnson and Blackshear Jr. earned All-SEC honors, and SF Scottie Lewis locked up a spot on the SEC All-Freshman team.
In SEC play, the Gators led the league in field goal percentage (.470) and 3-point percentage (.376), while Noah Locke led the conference in 3-point percentage (.481).
The Gators also led the SEC in scoring defense, allowing 63.6 points per game, which ranked 20th in the nation. Florida also posted the SEC’s top 3-point percentage defense at .316 and No. 3 field goal percentage defense (.421) and turnover margin (+3.0).
The Gators accomplished all that while fielding one of the youngest teams in the nation and what would’ve been the youngest team in the entire NCAA Tournament field.
Not to shabby for a young HC, and that's before adding in his leadership in the academics and citizenship 'Gator Standards' that he brings to the B-Ball court.
https://floridagators.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/coaches/mike-white/1202
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So, where are the 2020-21 Gators going at PG, and why?
https://www.si.com/college/florida/basketball/florida-gators-basketball-point-guard-2020-outlook
Why is former PG, now HC Mike White having success at UF?
"Throughout its history, the point guard has arguably been the most crucial player on the court for a team’s success." (Billy & Mike coach their PG's in particular)
White coached 2 School's All Time Career Assists Record holders:
UF - 3 star Chris 'The Cheese' Chiozza - 571
LaT - 2 star Kenneth 'Speedy' Smith - 858
The Gators have played the toughest overall and hardest non-conference schedule in the SEC over White’s tenure, and the Gators still rate 2nd among SEC teams during that period in average final KenPom rank, NCAA wins and SEC wins and 3rd in overall wins. Florida has achieved that success while playing in a historically tough SEC, as the league had 15 combined NCAA bids and an average KenPom ranking in the 50s in the 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons.
UF's Overall SoS (Ave KenPom Rating - Last 5 Seasons)
17.8 UF -- Only one in the Top 20 (Non-Conf. 24.0)
24.6 UK -- Only other one in the Top 25. (Non-Conf. 37.0)
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35.0 UA
35.4 TN
36.0 UG
Despite the challenging slate ahead of the Gators every year, the team rates 2nd in the SEC in KenPom rating, SEC wins, NCAA Tournament wins and 3rd in overall wins during the past 5 seasons.
During the campaign, White earned his 100th win as UF’s head coach, becoming the 5th Florida coach to reach that milestone. He reached the mark in 158 games, the 2nd-fastest to reach 100 (Billy Donovan, 154). The 2019-20 season also saw two of the largest rallies in Florida history, as the Gators came back from 22 points down vs. Georgia, matching UF’s largest ever, and 21 down against Alabama.
PF's Johnson and Blackshear Jr. earned All-SEC honors, and SF Scottie Lewis locked up a spot on the SEC All-Freshman team.
In SEC play, the Gators led the league in field goal percentage (.470) and 3-point percentage (.376), while Noah Locke led the conference in 3-point percentage (.481).
The Gators also led the SEC in scoring defense, allowing 63.6 points per game, which ranked 20th in the nation. Florida also posted the SEC’s top 3-point percentage defense at .316 and No. 3 field goal percentage defense (.421) and turnover margin (+3.0).
The Gators accomplished all that while fielding one of the youngest teams in the nation and what would’ve been the youngest team in the entire NCAA Tournament field.
Not to shabby for a young HC, and that's before adding in his leadership in the academics and citizenship 'Gator Standards' that he brings to the B-Ball court.
https://floridagators.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/coaches/mike-white/1202
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So, where are the 2020-21 Gators going at PG, and why?
https://www.si.com/college/florida/basketball/florida-gators-basketball-point-guard-2020-outlook
Good news on the court for the Gators. 😉
Mann, the sophomore combo guard, is now rocking a 6-foot-5 1/2-inch, 186-pound body that is nearly two inches taller and 15 pounds heavier than when he arrived at UF as a heralded freshman with McDonald's All-America credentials a year ago. Since returning for voluntary workouts, he's received rave reviews in both the weight room and on the court,,,,,,
floridagators.com
Mann, the sophomore combo guard, is now rocking a 6-foot-5 1/2-inch, 186-pound body that is nearly two inches taller and 15 pounds heavier than when he arrived at UF as a heralded freshman with McDonald's All-America credentials a year ago. Since returning for voluntary workouts, he's received rave reviews in both the weight room and on the court,,,,,,
Mann-ing up for breakout sophomore season - Florida Gators
His coaches and teammates believe combo guard Tre Mann, the former McDonald's All American who struggled as a collegiate rookie last season, is poised to make a major, high-impact splash as a sophomore following a hectic offseason that included a positive COVID test in June.
floridagators.com
Friday, August 28, 2020 -- More good news for the Gator...
Castleton Gets NCAA Waiver for 2020-21
Incoming Florida men's basketball transfer Colin Castleton has received an NCAA waiver to compete immediately in the 2020-21 season. Castleton, a native of Deland, Fla., played in 44 games over two seasons at Michigan and will be a junior with two years of eligibility remaining. The 6-foot-11 forward had three double-figure scoring games at UM and shot .540 from the field during his sophomore campaign.
Castleton Gets NCAA Waiver for 2020-21 - Florida Gators
Colin Castleton will be eligible to compete for the Gators immediately in the 2020-21 season.
floridagators.com
Noah Locke is limited to mostly shooting as he works his way back from hip surgery in the spring.
floridagators.com
Locke Last In, But Better For It - Florida Gators
Sharp-shooting junior shooting Noah Locke, who underwent hip surgery in May, rejoined the Gators last week in time for the start the of the fall semester and will
floridagators.com
SF/PF Colin Castleton 6-11 231 Jr - Deland, FL -- Xfer from Mich
Because of the Mich roster depth, he was lightly used in his Fr & Soph seasons.
Soph: Averaged 3.4 points and 2.7 rebounds off the bench, shooting .533 from the field.
Fr: He had 19 reserve appearances and averaged 1.1 points and 1.1 rebounds.
He transferred to Florida because of his relationship with the coaching staff and it was a great fit on and off the court. (He meets the 'Gator Standard')
Prep: He finished in the top 10 for Florida’s Mr. Basketball.
He earned the FABC 7A Player of the Year Award.
Averaged 24.5 points, 11.7 rebounds and 5.6 blocks 2.7 Assists, 1.7 Steals, in 2017-18.
Averaged 23.3 points, 11.0 rebounds and 5.4 blocks as a junior in 2016-17.
Averaged 15.3 points, 10.3 rebounds and 4.5 blocks as a sophomore in 2015-16.
He's got the (6-11) height of a center.
While he blocks shots and plays defense like a PF.
But he drives the ball and shoots, inside and outside, like a SF.
~~ He's not either one, but he reminds me a bit of guys like Mike Miller & Matt Bonner.
With the depth that Mike now has, the rotation should be fun to watch this season.
Because of the Mich roster depth, he was lightly used in his Fr & Soph seasons.
Soph: Averaged 3.4 points and 2.7 rebounds off the bench, shooting .533 from the field.
Fr: He had 19 reserve appearances and averaged 1.1 points and 1.1 rebounds.
He transferred to Florida because of his relationship with the coaching staff and it was a great fit on and off the court. (He meets the 'Gator Standard')
Prep: He finished in the top 10 for Florida’s Mr. Basketball.
He earned the FABC 7A Player of the Year Award.
Averaged 24.5 points, 11.7 rebounds and 5.6 blocks 2.7 Assists, 1.7 Steals, in 2017-18.
Averaged 23.3 points, 11.0 rebounds and 5.4 blocks as a junior in 2016-17.
Averaged 15.3 points, 10.3 rebounds and 4.5 blocks as a sophomore in 2015-16.
He's got the (6-11) height of a center.
While he blocks shots and plays defense like a PF.
But he drives the ball and shoots, inside and outside, like a SF.
~~ He's not either one, but he reminds me a bit of guys like Mike Miller & Matt Bonner.
With the depth that Mike now has, the rotation should be fun to watch this season.
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Rotation Possibilities, just my own speculations here.
Going Big:
PG Tre Mann 6-5.5
SG Scottie Lewis 6-5
SF Colin Castleton 6-11
PF Omar Payne 6-10
C Jason Jitoboh 6-11
Going small/fast:
PG Tyree Appleby 6-1
SG Noah Locke 6-3
SF Anthony Duruji 6-7
PF Keyontae Johnson 6-5
C/PF Omar Payne 6-10
Going Big:
PG Tre Mann 6-5.5
SG Scottie Lewis 6-5
SF Colin Castleton 6-11
PF Omar Payne 6-10
C Jason Jitoboh 6-11
Going small/fast:
PG Tyree Appleby 6-1
SG Noah Locke 6-3
SF Anthony Duruji 6-7
PF Keyontae Johnson 6-5
C/PF Omar Payne 6-10
Gator Men's 2020-21 Basketball by their Classes:
Freshmen (4)
SG Alex Klatsky 6-4 185 rsFr W-O
CG Niels Lane 6-5 206 Fr
CG Jack May 6-4 175 Fr W-O
SF Samson Ruzhentsec 6-7 192 Fr
Sophmores (5)
PG Ques Glover 5-11 182 So
CG Tre Mann 6-5 190 So
SF Scottie Lewis 6-5 189 So
PF/C Omar Payne 6-10 230 So
C Jason Jitoboh 6-11 285 So
Juniors (6)
PG Tyree Appleby 6-1 170 rsJr (ClevelandSt-xfer)
PF Anthony Duruji 6-7 220 rsJr (LaTech-xfer)
SG Noah Locke 6-3 203 Jr
PF/SF Keyontae Johnson 6-5 229 Jr
PF/C Osayi Osifo 6-7 225 Jr (JuCo-xfer)
PF/SF Colin Castleton 6-11 231 Jr (Mich-xfer)
All 15 (13 ship 2 WO's) are eligible and available to play in 20-21.
www.si.com
Freshmen (4)
SG Alex Klatsky 6-4 185 rsFr W-O
CG Niels Lane 6-5 206 Fr
CG Jack May 6-4 175 Fr W-O
SF Samson Ruzhentsec 6-7 192 Fr
Sophmores (5)
PG Ques Glover 5-11 182 So
CG Tre Mann 6-5 190 So
SF Scottie Lewis 6-5 189 So
PF/C Omar Payne 6-10 230 So
C Jason Jitoboh 6-11 285 So
Juniors (6)
PG Tyree Appleby 6-1 170 rsJr (ClevelandSt-xfer)
PF Anthony Duruji 6-7 220 rsJr (LaTech-xfer)
SG Noah Locke 6-3 203 Jr
PF/SF Keyontae Johnson 6-5 229 Jr
PF/C Osayi Osifo 6-7 225 Jr (JuCo-xfer)
PF/SF Colin Castleton 6-11 231 Jr (Mich-xfer)
All 15 (13 ship 2 WO's) are eligible and available to play in 20-21.
Gators HC Mike White Talks Point Guard Battle, Different Offense
Tre Mann, Ques Glover, and Tyree Appleby are all fighting it out for the one-guard position for the Florida Gators.
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Keyontae is our best player, he will start regardless of line up size. Scottie started to show some flashes late in the year, if he makes the jump he and Keyontae will be tough to handle off the bounce. Would open things up for the shooters. Good news is we should finally have enough depth to run fast.
I agree that 1st Team All SEC KJ was their best player in 19-20, and so does everyone else.
But KJ, just like the rest of the roster, won't be playing 40 minutes per game.
PF Anthony Duruji 6-7 220 rsJr (C-USA Fr of Yr) 2 Yrs = 65 Gms, 52 Starts, 9.7 Pts, 5.1 Rbs, 85 Blks.
PF/C Osayi Osifo 6-7 225 Jr (#1 JuCo PF) Averaged 10.6 Pts, 7.5 Rbs, while shooting 54% FG
There's some real quick-twitch speed now at the PG with Applebe & Glover.
Jr's KJ # Locke + Soph's Mann & Lewis will be a solid and very fast core.
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PF/SF Colin Castleton 6-11 231 Jr - Post skills & shooting touch.
PF/C Omar Payne 6-10 230 So - Speed/Athleticism
C Jason Jitoboh 6-11 285 So - Def / Blocks
Big Man depth with quality is something that Mike's not had since the Elite-8 season.
That's the depth that has the potential to be the biggest change and team improvement imo...
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