Dyandria Anderson has taken on an unexpected role for the Gators this season. (Photo: Ashley Williams/For UAA Communications)
On Point: Gators Guard Dyandria Anderson Adjusts on Fly
Thursday, January 26, 2017 | Women's Basketball, Scott Carter
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The Gators host Tennessee tonight in quest of their second straight win in the series.
By: Scott Carter, Senior Writer
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Dyandria Anderson may not like it, but she definitely respects it.
After all, it's what she does to opposing point guards.
"I love defense,'' Anderson said.
So, when the Gators (10-9, 1-5) host Tennessee (12-7, 3-3) tonight at Exactech Arena/Stephen C. O'Connell Center, watch as Anderson brings the ball up the court. A natural two guard/small forward, the 5-foot-10 Anderson and her tree-limb-like arms will be swiped at constantly by the Lady Vols' guard duo of Diamond DeShields and Jordan Reynolds.
How Anderson handles the pressure likely will play a key role in the outcome as Florida, coming off its first Southeastern Conference win of the season on Sunday at Georgia, tries to make it two in a row on Hawaiian Hoops Night.
Anderson is starting to get used to her new role after transitioning to point guard midseason.
"You are getting D'd up 94 feet,'' she said. "That's been the most challenging part."
Anderson doesn't have to search far and wide for a mentor who can relate to playing point guard with a defensive-minded approach on the court. She can simply walk over and talk to Gators head coach Amanda Butler, whose feisty court presence in the early '90s benefit the Gators greatly.
Dyandria Anderson drives past a defender in a recent game against Mississippi State. (Photo: Tim Casey/UAA Communications)
Butler sees the similarities in the way Anderson plays and the way she thinks.
"Dee wants to be a coach one day, and she's going to be a fine one,'' Butler said Wednesday. "Most coaches enjoy playing defense because that's where a lot of the strategy is."
Anderson's shift to point guard was a confluence of several factors.
First, senior guard Simone Westbrook, who shared the position a season ago with senior Carlie Needles, suffered a season-ending knee injury over the summer. Meanwhile, versatile guard Eleanna Christinaki left the program and eventually transferred to Maryland after playing the first nine games. Two newcomers – freshman point guard Elif Portakal and transfer guard Funda Nakkasoglu – have had little impact; Portakal missed 10 games due to a broken bone in her foot and Nakkasoglu is sitting out the season to have two full seasons of eligibility remaining.
The team's only true point guard, Portakal returned and played seven minutes in Sunday's game. Butler plans to continue to work her into the rotation but for now, Anderson is running the show.
Anderson ranks third in the SEC in assists (4.5) and is averaging 10.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.8 assists over her last four games. She knew it was going to take time to adjust to her new role, especially in the middle of the season and for a team that averages an SEC-high 20.3 turnovers per game.
She has relied on her natural ability – Anderson played all five positions in high school – and is no stranger to in-your-face pressure. She grew up in a family of basketball players, including older brother Chris, who used to challenge her during pick-up games.
"He used to always pick the ball from me," she said "That helped me get my ball handling a lot better. I used to get so frustrated. I'm a lot more comfortable and confident now. I knew it would come and my teammates have really helped."
Anderson is often at her best when the Gators gain possession on defense and transition to offense. And she is often the reason why.
"Look at her arms. She's long. She gets in those passing lanes, she gets those tips, those steals,'' teammate Ronni Williams said. "People don't expect her to do what she can do on defense."
As the Gators, who reached as high as No. 16 earlier this season in the AP Top 25, are going to salvage their season, Anderson's play must be on point. While Portakal's return is expected to provide Anderson a breather here and there – she leads the team in minutes played (31.1 per game) – the freshman from Turkey needs more seasoning.
Butler is confident Anderson has the tools to give the Gators what they need.
"She didn't begin the season thinking she would be our point guard," Butler said. "She's really, really, intelligent as a basketball player. She has a high emotional intelligence level. She understands her team. She's a worker. When she puts that time in, that helps her confidence. She could basically play any position on our team."
What does Williams, the SEC's second-leading scorer at 17.9 points a game, think of Anderson's ability to run the team.
"She takes on any challenge,'' Williams said. "She takes on any play, any role. And she handles it."
Yes, it's been different for Anderson to shift gears halfway around the track, but she prefers not to use that other d-word to characterize the transition.
"I wouldn't really call it difficult," she said. "I'd call it expanding."
