Freshman Beal to start exhibition; Wilbekin not expected to play due to broken finger
Thursday, November 3, 2011 | Men's Basketball, Football, Scott Carter
Much of the buzz surrounding the Gators men's basketball team entering the season revolves around a potent backcourt that features five guards expected to play regularly.
Two of those players -- junior transfer Mike Rosario and true freshman Bradley Beal -- make their debuts in front of the O'Dome faithful tonight during an exhibition game against Catholic University of Washington, D.C.
Beal will start.
"He's been a guy that has absorbed everything pretty well,'' Donovan said. "I think he is more advanced than most freshmen in terms of being able to retain and understand what we're trying to get done. He has a real good understanding and feel of what we're trying to do.''
Meanwhile, Rosario will come off the bench but should see plenty of playing time with Scottie Wilbekin not expected to play.
Wilbekin, a sophomore who played in all 37 games a season ago, has a broken index finger that will not require surgery according to Donovan.
"I think he probably could play [Thursday] but I think probably rather better be safe than sorry with him, so I'll say that probably right now the feeling is to hold him out," Donovan said Wednesday. "I think that's what will happen. He has done some stuff in practice, some limited contact situations. He's healing fine. It's on his knuckle, doesn't require surgery."
In his first season, Wilbekin averaged 2.4 points, 1.4 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game as a steady backup behind the starting backcourt of Erving Walker and Kenny Boynton.
Donovan said Walker, Boynton, Beal, forward Erik Murphy and center Patric Young will start, adding that he expects to play everyone in the Gators' only exhibition game before the Nov. 11 opener against Jackson State.
"There is a different feeling when you do put a uniform on and you're under the lights and a crowd is there,'' Donovan said. "That's a different feeling than at practice. I think that is something they need to experience.''
