Fresh Faces: Robinson, Chiozza On First-Day Fast Track
Friday, October 17, 2014 | Men's Basketball, Chris Harry
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- About halfway through the team's first full-blown, full-contact practice of the season Friday morning, Florida coach Billy Donovan called for a quick water break. He wasn't entirely pleased with the last few possessions. Not overly frustrated, either.
There were extenuating circumstances.
“We play fast here, Devin, so pick it up,” Donovan voiced with authority. “You and Chris have to run. Play faster!”
That would be Devin Robinson and Chris Chiozza. They represent two-thirds of a three-man freshman signing class -- Brandon Francis is not yet academically cleared to participate in team activities -- that figures to be called upon for some pressure-packed minutes during the 2014-15 season.
Robinson is a 6-foot-8, 185-pound forward with a sweet shooting touch. Chiozza is a 6-foot, 160-pound point guard with a nice feel for the game.
Both, though, are experiencing the rookie right-of-passage shock that comes with these dog (and dogged) days of October.
“It's faster, a lot faster, than high school,” Robinson said. “Tougher too. Way more physical.”
“The speed,” Chiozza said when asked what struck him the most about his intro practice. “I'm used to being the fastest one on the court, but everybody is fast out here -- even the centers.”
Robinson and Chiozza actually are dealing with a double-dose of tempo shock. That's because the overhaul of personnel from last year's stunningly efficient 36-3 Final Four and Southeastern Conference championship team has prompted Donovan and his staff to remake -- not drastically -- how the Gators are going to play this season.
In Patric Young, UF had a physical low-post presence who could bang his way onto the block, get some touches that collapsed the defense, and either maneuver for his jump hook or pass out to open teammates. Florida's ball movement last year was very good, but the action had a tendency to slow when, say, Scottie Wilbekin and Casey Prather had the ball as they looked to attack the basket.
It worked for that group.
Donovan's 19th UF team, ranked seventh in the preseason USA Today Coaches poll, is built differently.
This season, Donovan wants to take advantage Florida's speed (led by point guard Kasey Hill) and athleticism (in center Chris Walker, plus forward Dorian Finney-Smith and Alex Murphy). If there's a defensive rebound or turnover, look for the Gators to be out on the break -- past midcourt within three seconds, that's the goal -- and on the attack in transition. They want their halfcourt pace picked up, with passes on the wing followed by sprints to defenders to set screens.
This rapid-fire routine, especially right out of the box, could set a freshman's head spinning, but that wasn't the case for either Robinson or Chiozza. That was encouraging.
“That's always a concern when you have two freshmen who need help and are way behind -- but they're not,” Donovan said. “We got everything in we wanted to for a first day, and did it at the normal speed we usually do it, and those guys were able to absorb everything. That's good.”
That doesn't mean they were flawless. Far from it.
The high-pitched scream of assistant coach John Pelphrey was heard at one point.
“Freshmen! Stop turning the ball over!”
Some of the veterans got a few constructive critical shout-outs, too. Yet, the coaches doled out installations of pick-and-roll defensive coverages, numbered fast breaks, a slew of halfcourt sets and transition defenses.
“They got a chance to get a taste of it all,” Donovan said.
And they were back at 3:30 later in the afternoon for another full-contact practice. UF's coaches threw traps at Chiozza and sent Robinson chasing sharp-shooter Michael Frazier through a paddle-wheel of screens as previews of things to come. It was the second of four such practices over the first two days of the season. Players will have Sunday off.
They'll need it. Two of them probably more a little more than the rest.
“He was on us, the new guys,” said Robinson, the Chesterfield, Va., product and state player of the year who averaged 24 points, 10 rebounds, three blocks and two assists per game last season. “He wants us to catch up fast. He stopped and explained some stuff to us. He worked with us, but kept it fast. He's a good teacher.”
Apparently, they're good listeners.
A few minutes after hearing some feedback on a poorly executed break, Chiozza got an outlet pass and began his charge up court. The 6-10 Walker was out in front, but with a couple defenders trailing closely. Chiozza, in stride, motioned for Walker to come back and set a pick near the top of the key, which he did.
As soon as Chiozza dribbled off the screen, Walker rolled down the lane, caught Chiozza's perfect backhand bounce between the two defenders and finished the play with a two-handed slam.
“Nice pass, Chris!” the coaches said in unison.
Nice first day, young men.
“It's just the first practice, but he's been tough on us already,” said Chiozza, who averaged 15 points and eight assists for 30-3 Memphis (Tenn.) White Station last season. “From here, it's only going to get harder, so you just have to be mentally prepared for it. stick with it, tough it out. It's college basketball. I've beee looking forward to this. Now it's here.”
