Gators-BYU Notebook: Wilbekin Adds Extra Option in Defending Jimmer
Thursday, March 24, 2011 | Men's Basketball, Scott Carter
NEW ORLEANS – Gators freshman guard Scottie Wilbekin has had to guard some scoring machines in his career. In high school, Wilbekin says Austin Rivers was the toughest player he ever drew defensively. In his freshman season at UF, Tennessee's Scotty Hopson is the player Wilbekin rates as his most difficult assignment.
Unlike sophomore guard Kenny Boynton, who chased BYU's Jimmer Fredette around the court for 40 minutes in the Gators' loss in last year's NCAA Tournament game, Wilbekin has never guarded Fredette. The nation's leading scorer, Fredette (28.8 points a game) has been one of college basketball's top stories this season.
If he has the ball in his hands, Fredette is usually looking to score.
While Boynton will be matched up against Fredette much of Thursday night's Sweet 16 clash against the Cougars, Wilbekin is expected to get his share of minutes guarding the 6-foot-2, 195-pound senior guard from Glen Falls, N.Y.
Fredette scored 37 points in BYU's 99-92 double-overtime win over the Gators a season ago. However, the 17-year-old Wilbekin has developed into one of UF's top defenders and said Wednesday he is ready for the challenge.
“It makes you extra focused knowing that you are guarding the best player on the other team and everybody knows he is the best player and everybody knows he is going at you to score,'' Wilbekin said.
Wilbekin's veteran teammates have confidence that he can make a difference on Fredette when Boynton needs a break. Senior Chandler Parsons pointed out Wilbekin's length – he is 6-2 with long arms – and his continued improvement defensively against some of the best offensive players in the SEC, including Hopson and Vanderbilt's John Jenkins.
Boynton and Wilbekin have talked about how to defend Fredette. Boynton has prepared Wilbekin for the same wake-up call he received a year ago.
“You've got to see him in person,'' Boynton said. “Everyone in the country is trying to shut him down. He's not going to stop. He attacks the rim, he shoots deep shots, and he's got a good mid-range shot. On the offensive end, he's got no weakness.
“The thing you try to do with him is try to make him take tough 2s and tire him out. Our game plan is to make it tough for him, but don't give his teammates anything. He's probably going to get his points, but that's the way it goes with him. As long as we make it tough for him – that's our goal.''
Wilbekin has listened to Boynton and the coaches and watched plenty of film on Fredette.
He understands the assignment perhaps as well any other in his young career.
“He can pull up anywhere,'' Wilbekin said. “No matter how far or what he's doing dribbling, you can always expect him to pull up. And once he gets into the lane, he's great a pivoting and shot-faking and getting you off balance. He is very crafty inside.
“I'm looking forward to the challenge.''
BOYNTON READY TO ROLL
Boynton participated in his first full practice on Wednesday morning at Tulane University since suffering a mild left ankle sprain in Saturday's win over UCLA. He later reported no concerns about his health prior to Florida's open practice at the New Orleans Arena.
“I'm feeling great,'' he said. “I'm going to be good for [Thursday]. I did every drill. I don't think the ankle is going to be a factor.''
Boynton planned to ice the ankle Wednesday night and said he'll wrap extra tape around it for the game to provide extra stability.
BYU'S BENCH HAS GATORS' ATTENTION
The Gators know that no matter how well they defend Fredette, he's going to put some points up because he is such a great scorer.
However, what they want to do is make sure no one on BYU's bench turns into Michael Lloyd, who played the role of Fredette's sidekick in the Cougars' victory over the Gators last season.
“We looked at the stat sheet and he's only averaging four points,'' Boynton said. “He came in and gave them 26 points off the bench. That was a big left for them.''
Lloyd is no longer around and the leading scorer off BYU's bench is sophomore forward Stephen Rogers, who averaged 4.0 points and 2.1 rebounds.
Making sure Rogers or someone else doesn't play hero is a heavy emphasis for the Gators.
“People always underestimate everyone on their team,'' Parsons said. “I think we've got a good understanding going in there how good they are from playing them last year. And it's not just Jimmer Fredette. The other guys are very good players and understand their roles.''
“We have to stay on edge, and not just when we're guarding Fredette,'' Wilbekin said.
JIMMER'S BREAKOUT NO SURPRISE TO PARSONS
Thursday's game features the SEC Player of the Year in Parsons and the Mountain West Conference Player of the Year in Fredette. Most analysts project Fredette as the Naismith National Player of the Year.
Fredette's historic season hasn't surprised Parsons, who not only faced Fredette in last year's tournament, but played with and against him regularly last summer at the LeBron James Skills Academy camp.
“When we were there this summer, it was him, Nolan Smith, Kemba Walker, Shelvin Mack – it was him against the best point guards in the country,'' Parsons said. “He's a great player. He held his own.''
DIFFERENT TEAM, SAME APPROACH
Gators freshman center/forward Patric Young drew rave reviews for his physical play and aggressive offensive approach against UCLA's 6-foot-10, 325-pound center Joshua Smith.
With BYU center Brandon Davies suspended, the Cougars' most imposing players physically are starting forward Noah Hartsock (6-8, 230) and reserve center James Anderson (6-10, 240).
Young (6-9, 245) is stronger and more physically gifted than either player, but that won't change his approach.
“I need to be physical,'' Young said. “Just because they have great shooters, I think it's underrated how physical they are. On tape, they're older guys. They are not afraid to be physical and go after the ball. Everyone is so focused on Jimmer, these guys are going to make their impact in the game by getting rebounds and what not.''
