Donovan Looks For More Consistent Flow In Exhibition Finale
Wednesday, November 3, 2010 | Men's Basketball, Scott Carter
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – If you took your eyes off the court for more than a couple of minutes, you likely missed Florida men's basketball coach Billy Donovan make another substitution in the Gators' 92-58 win over Florida Tech in their exhibition opener.
Donovan wasn't displeased at the way the Gators played. Instead, he wanted to use as many combinations as possible with five new freshmen and five returning starters on the roster.
Don't expect such a steady stream of players jogging back and forth between UF's bench on Wednesday night when the Gators host NAIA power Georgetown (Ky.) College at the O'Connell Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.
“I think we will try to get more into a consistent flow,'' Donovan said Tuesday. “This game will be a very highly competitive game. We're anticipating a great challenge.''
Donovan spent five seasons as an assistant at Kentucky, so he is familiar with Georgetown's successful program under longtime coach Happy Osborne. The Tigers open the season ranked ninth in the NAIA national poll, the same position the Gators open in the AP Top 25.
In last week's exhibition opener against Florida Tech, the Gators jumped to a 14-4 lead and were never really challenged. Donovan expects “a different game'' Wednesday for more reasons than his plan to use a more standard substitution pattern.
“Happy has built a really, really good program there,'' Donovan said. “They have been very successful. They've gotten a lot of transfers in from Division I programs.”
In the exhibition opener, Donovan took long looks at freshmen Patric Young, Will Yeguette, Casey Prather and Cody Larson. He also hoped to get an extended look at guard Scottie Wilbekin, but Wilbekin suffered a neck strain that Donovan said will keep him out of Wednesday's game.
With more than two weeks of practice in the books, Donovan has seen enough of the freshmen class to expect the group to contribute immediately, especially on defense.
“They've been pretty good so far, their energy, their effort,'' Donovan said. “We are trying to keep it as simple as we can for them so they can be aggressive. I think innately, they are aggressive, high-energy guys.''
However, Donovan now wants to look more at the team's starters, including forward Alex Tyus and Vernon Macklin. Tyus and Macklin played sparingly against Florida Tech, combining for only 22 minutes.
Donovan specifically wants to see Macklin – and more than just his inside game.
“Vernon in particular has to do a better job of leading at this time of year,'' Donovan said. “He's got to understand the big picture in terms of what we're trying to do.''
While the Gators have veteran leadership in Chandler Parsons, Macklin is a player expected to make major contributions in his second season after transferring from Georgetown.
Macklin said he is making an effort at filling the role Donovan envisions.
“I'm a vocal person. I just have to not let little things get to me,'' Macklin said. “If something doesn't go my way, I've still got to be a vocal person and leader for the younger guys. I've just got to block out a lot of the little things.''
Meanwhile, another player looking to make more of an impact Wednesday is junior point guard Erving Walker, who hit only 1 of 8 shots against Florida Tech. Walker said he studied his performance on film and wants to maintain a better focus in the Gators' second exhibition.
“I feel like I took good shots,'' Walker said. “I just need to be more alert defensively.''
Wednesday's exhibition is the Gators' final one of the preseason. They will then have nine days until their season opener Nov. 12 against UNC-Wilmington.
What do the players get from the exhibition season?
“It really helps with our habits,'' Parsons said Tuesday. “It's also a chance to get out there and try different lineups. These games are important to just get a better feel of each other on the court.''
Besides taking a longer look at the veterans, Donovan wants to get more looks at certain lineups mixing some of the young players with the veterans, including using Macklin and Young on the court together with Macklin moving to power forward and the 6-foot-9, 245-pound Young at center.
“You are always trying to add,'' Donovan said. “We've got to continue to add offensively, defensively. The biggest thing that you're looking for is, 'Are they doing things that they have control over during the course of a game?' ''
