Gators Seek To Continue Hot Streak Coming Off Extended Break and Injury To Parsons
Saturday, February 19, 2011 | Men's Basketball, Scott Carter
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Florida men's basketball coach Billy Donovan spent much of his Friday afternoon session with reporters discussing the status of senior forward Chandler Parsons.
In Florida's 61-60 home win over Tennessee, Parsons suffered a deep-thigh bruise when his leg collided with Alex Tyus' knee as the two went for a rebound. That's usually a bad combination, and for Parsons it meant spending most of this week on crutches and in the trainer's room.
Parsons hasn't run or practiced since the injury and Donovan said Friday that it's unlikely he will before the team departs town for Sunday's game at LSU. His availability for the game is a coin toss.
“Right now I would say it's 50-50,'' Donovan said. “If he does play, I would say that he would probably definitely not start. It would be a situation where we would put him in there just to see how he felt.''
When a reporter asked why risk playing Parsons at all if he's not fully healthy, the New York kid in Donovan spoke up.
“Willis Reed. Did you ever see him?'' Donovan quipped.
Reed's famous performance in Game 7 of the 1970 NBA Finals remains one of the Big Apple's shining sports moments. The stage Sunday at the Maravich Center won't quite be as dramatic, but for a Florida team that has struggled in early afternoon games, having Parsons around is a bonus.
Three of Florida's five losses this season – at home to Jacksonville and South Carolina and on the road at Mississippi State – came in games that tipped off in the early afternoon.
Even though he suffered the thigh injury early against Tennessee, Parsons played a team-high 37 minutes in Florida's win. His presence alone creates matchup issues for opposing teams.
He has led or tied for the team lead in rebounding a team-high 14 times, led the team in assists nine times and in scoring on five occasions. If Parsons can't play Sunday, Donovan said freshman guard Scottie Wilbekin or freshman swingman Casey Prather would likely start.
“Any time you lose a player like Chandler or any really, really good player, I don't think it's about one of those guys replacing Chandler,'' Donovan said. “It's got to be collective group of people to raise there play.''
Regardless of who starts if Parsons can't play, sophomore guard Kenny Boynton said the Gators face a different challenge, primarily on the boards where Parsons leads the team 7.7 rebounds per game.
“That changes things for sure rebound-wise,'' Boynton said. “That will force the guards – me and Erving – to get in there more and try to rebound. That's definitely a lot of points that won't be out there. We just have to play harder and be a smarter team.''
The best part about Parsons' injury is that the Gators had an eight-day break between the Tennessee game and Sunday's visit to LSU. The extended break couldn't have come at a more perfect time in some ways. Then again, with four consecutive wins – all against SEC East competition – playing sooner might not have been too bad either.
Parsons' injury did alter the approach heading into the meeting with the Tigers, who have lost nine consecutive games. Without their most versatile player on the court, Donovan and his staff tinkered with different combinations as Parsons rehabbed his injured leg.
“Have we focused on some things I think we need to get better at? Yes,'' Donovan said. “But I think anytime you have a breaking of rhythm inside a week, you always are concerned how your team is going to come out and play when you have eight days off.''
Donovan compared the situation regarding Parsons' injury as similar to a foot injury Matt Walsh suffered one season at the SEC Tournament. The Gators had a few days off before the NCAA Tournament started and were uncertain of Walsh's availability.
They'll board the plane to Baton Rouge in the same mindset. Thankfully, Parsons will be on board.
“We are not concerned that if does play that there is going to be any damage to his leg,'' Donovan said, adding the he fully expects Parsons to be back to 100 percent soon. “The pain in his leg has subsided. It's just difficult when a guy is out that long to expect a lot. If he's physically capable of playing, we'll utilize him.
“Our team needs to be prepared like he isn't going to play.''
Boynton has seen the bruise on Parsons' thigh.
“It's pretty ugly,'' he said.
Boynton also watched LSU's loss to SEC West leader Alabama on Thursday night. The Tigers led for a while before fading.
“LSU is probably at the bottom of the league, but they are still an SEC team,'' Boynton said. “We should come out with a lot of intensity and be ready to play.''
Parsons' presence – ugly bruise and all – can't hurt. After all, Reed also had a thigh injury when he made a brief appearance in Game 7 all those years ago. The Knicks won and the rest is history as they say.
GATOR GAMEBOX
Florida at LSU
Tip-off: Sunday, 1 p.m. (Maravich Assembly Center)
Records: Florida 20-5 (9-2 SEC); LSU 10-16 (2-9)
TV: ESPN
Radio: Gator Radio Network (click here for affiliates)
Game notes: Click here
Need to know: Florida can extend its winning streak to five games with a victory, which would match its season high … Florida is 6-1 on road and 8-2 away from Gainesville this season … Gators have not won at LSU since 2002-03 season, suffering three consecutive losses at the Maravich Center where they are 11-33 all-time … LSU has won six of nine in series … While Florida is hot, LSU is not -- Tigers have lost nine consecutive games, their last win coming Jan. 12 vs. Arkansas … Gators are 3-1 vs. SEC West … LSU's freshmen backcourt of Ralston Turner (12.4 points per game) and Andre Stringer (11.8) lead team in scoring … Florida's win over Tennessee last Saturday gave Gators their 13th consecutive 20-win season; prior to head coach Billy Donovan's arrival in 1996, Gators had five 20-win seasons in 77 years … Junior G Erving Walker has 189 career three-pointers and needs three to tie former UF player Matt Walsh for sixth in school history.
