Schuyler Rimmer talks to teammate Kasey Hill during Florida's victory over Tennessee on Saturday. (Photo: Adler Garfield/For UAA Communications)
Rimmer Ready When Number Called Against Vols
Saturday, January 7, 2017 | Men's Basketball, Scott Carter
Share:
Senior walk-on played season-high 18 minutes to offset absence of foul-plagued teammates.
By: Scott Carter, Senior Writer
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Schuyler Rimmer rarely sweats during a game. Only at practice.
That changed in Florida's 83-70 win over Tennessee on Saturday. Rimmer, whose surname conjures images of a high-flying dunker made in Hollywood, is anything but. He is a 6-foot-10 tree and the lone walk-on on this year's roster.
Most of Rimmer's key moments come when no one is watching.
"He is as much a company guy as I've ever known. Whether he plays four minutes, or eight minutes, or has four DNPs in a row, he doesn't care,'' Gators head coach Mike White said. "Two out of every three days he stays after practice to keep his wind up just in case his number is called."
No. 32 was called against the Volunteers.
Florida big men John Egbunu and Kevarrius Hayes were plagued by foul trouble and with Tennessee's Admiral Schofield going to work on the inside, it was Rimmer who provided three points, three rebounds and a season-high 18 minutes to help out.
Gators John Egbunu, left, and Devin Robinson, to his right, spent more time cheering teammates on Saturday than playing. (Photo: Courtney Culbreath/For UAA Communications)
Schuyler had played 34 minutes all season prior to Saturday and had more minutes than starters Devin Robinson (14), Hayes (15), Egbunu (6) and key reserve Keith Stone (13).
"Great, great minutes. Great effort,'' teammate Justin Leon, who scored a career-high 19 points, said of Rimmer. "I think out of everybody he deserves a game ball. He has a lot of does-not-plays. But he's always ready. He stepped it up when it was his time."
Rimmer provided an inside presence against the Volunteers and Schofield, who led the Vols with 18 points and 10 rebounds. And with 3:48 left and Florida leading 70-63, Rimmer drew an offensive foul against Schofield that earned Tennessee's talented sophomore a spot on the bench with his fifth foul.
The Gators closed on a 13-7 run after Schofield's departure to improve to 3-0 in the newly renovated Exactech Arena at Stephen C. O'Connell Center in front of a sellout crowd of 10,843.
"He's an incredible physical presence. One of the most physical guys I've played against,'' Rimmer said of Schofield. "I think he's the heart and soul of that team. He had a great game, so him fouling out earlyish in the game, I think we were able to capitalize on that."
Rimmer's contributions, plus a stellar game by Leon (19 points, six rebounds) and 15 points from reserve Canyon Barry helped offset the lack of production from Robinson (four points), Hayes (three) and Egbunu (two), a trio that averages 25.5 points per game.
"In the long run I think it's going to be best for us if the guys that start play the most minutes,'' Rimmer said. "Thankfully today I was ready to go. I never really know what to expect coming into each game. I practice like I could be playing 20 minutes the next game. Thankfully I was ready when Coach called for me. That's the great thing about this team. We are deep at every position."
Tennessee coach Rick Barnes took note of Florida's depth and versatility. He arrived in town probably not giving Rimmer much thought, but the Gators went 10 deep on Saturday to beat the Vols for the first time since Barnes took over.
Tennessee won last season's only meeting in Knoxville.
"There's a number of different guys on their team you've got to pay attention to," Barnes said. "I think [Coach White] has got his guys in the roles they need to be. They are a much different team than they were a year ago. You feel it with the chemistry probably more than anything."
Rimmer is a chemistry kind of player. He is from Orlando and started his college career at Stanford. However, he transferred to UF mid-year during the 2014-15 season and enjoyed one of his best games for the Gators on Saturday.
It wasn't all fun.
Rimmer bumped knees with Tennessee's Grant Williams in the second half and was in noticeable pain as he walked toward the bench. He walked it off and said afterward he was fine.
White expects Rimmer to drop by his office as usual before the next practice to check in on the plan and get ready. It's his routine.
Saturday was not routine for Rimmer, who worked up a sweat.
