Florida Gators

COLUMBIA, Mo. — Florida has not signed a show-stopping, McDonald's All-America type prospect in more than five years. Oh, the Gators have landed some very good players along the way, no question about that, but as far as consensus, on-everyone's-list, hot-shot, national marquee types, not really. That's just a fact, and it's OK.

There's nothing wrong with being a program player.

"Very few guys come to college, unpack their bags and have it all figured out," UF assistant coach Dusty May said. "That's just the way it is."

Some relevant cases in point:

* Think about where Chris Chiozza was this time last season as a junior. He was two games into a nine-game stretch when he played less than 20 minutes each time out, shot barely 30 percent from the floor and wondered what his role was going to be each game. Heck, he didn't start a single game all last season. Well, Chiozza and the Florida coaches, figured some things out together. A year later, he's the most valuable player on the team and one of the best points guards not just in Southeastern Conference, but in the country.

* How about KeVaughn Allen? As a freshman, he scored in double figures just twice in his first nine games and made only seven of his first 28 shots from the 3-point line. Then he blew up for 32 points against Florida State and went on to be voted to the SEC All-Freshman team as UF's second-leading scorer. He had some tough outings as a sophomore, but some really good ones, too. Like that 35-point blowup in the Sweet 16 against Wisconsin, for example. He was a first-team all-league selection last year. Now, two months into his junior season, Allen's scoring and shooting numbers are down, but his new role as backup point guard is progressing (33 assists, 11 turnovers), his defense improving. He's still evolving.

* Center Kevarrius Hayes played his first 33 games as a freshman without reaching double figures in points. It took a season-ending thumb injury to John Egbunu to hasten Hayes' late-season progression, a circumstance that repeated itself last February when Egbunu suffered a season-ending knee injury that put Hayes in the middle of UF's deep run into the NCAA Tournament. He took steps backward early this season, on and (by his admission) off the floor, but has righted himself of late ... for now. Tuesday, Hayes played one of the finest all-around games of his career in a huge win at Texas A&M.
 
"It's about staying the course," Chiozza said. "Everybody has their ups and downs. I'm in my fourth year and, up to now, it's been about 50-50. I've been at some of the highest points of my life in college, but also some of the lowest points in my life. Just stay the course. Everything will get better, but along the way let your teammates help you get through some of those tough times."

Because the overwhelming majority of them are going through their own growing pains.

Developmental players.

Anyone recall upward trending moments of growth from, say, Kasey Hill? Or Devin Robinson? Or Scottie Wilbekin? Or Casey Prather? Or Will Yeguete? Or Erik Murphy? Or Chandler Parsons?

Get the picture?

Which brings us to Keith Stone.

The Gators were banking on the 6-foot-8, 240-pound power forward to take a huge step forward this season in a front court gutted by the NBA defection of Robinson, the lingering injury to Egbunu, and losses of senior Justin Leon and grad-transfer Canyon Barry. Stone figured to be a huge "X" factor in determining how good the 2017-18 Florida team would be.

Consider his impact to be in the developmental stage, with the occasional impact stage mixed in for good measure.

"I just want to help the team win," Stone said.

He did so, big time, earlier this week at A&M, and the Gators (10-4, 2-0) could use another solid performance Saturday afternoon at Missouri (11-3, 1-0), as they look for a fifth straight win. It won't be easy. The Tigers are vastly improved from the previous three Mizzou teams that combined to go just 27-68, with only eight wins in 54 league games. They can shoot it from multiple positions and are an excellent rebounding team, especially on the offensive glass.

Anything from Stone resembling what he showed in Tuesday night's big win at College Station will be a huge boost, not to mention an encouraging step forward for a player looking to find his niche, but also some consistency.

"I've been getting confidence from my teammates and coaches," Stone said.

[Read senior writer Chris Harry's 'Pregame Stuff' setup here]

Stone went into the game against the Aggies averaging 5.8 points and 3.2 rebounds, but erupted for a career-best 18 points, nailing four of his six 3-point attempts, and grabbed five rebounds. His ability to hit the long balls drew out the A&M defense — specifically, 2017 SEC Defensive Player of the Year Robert Williams — and spread the floor for UF's other 3-point bombardiers. On the opposite end, Stone bodied up and took on the overwhelming size of the Aggies' front court, and for the second time in as many league games played with a noticeably higher energy level.

What Stone did that night, UF coach Mike White said, directly correlated with what he'd done behind the scenes at practice the last couple weeks.

"I'm happy he was able to help his teammates, and happy for him," White said. "He's paid his dues. He got off to a really show start; not just in games, but in practice, also. The last three weeks or so, he's had a renewed work level, motor level, competitiveness level and really been one of our best two or three players in practice. It's come to fruition for him a little."

Last season as a redshirt freshman, Stone had a couple games that had the look of breakout performances. Fifteen points and eight rebounds in a big win over Miami. Fourteen points and 3-for-3 from deep to help defeat Tennessee,. Seventeen points and three more 3-pointers in an overtime victory over Georgia.

But then came three points total over the next 10 games, including 14 straight missed 3-pointers. Stone couldn't shake a bout with mononucleosis, which eventually turned to vertigo. Once healthy, he became a 12-or-so-minute guy, though in UF's four NCAA games he averaged just under eight minutes.

In the offseason, Stone put in tons of gym time shooting the ball and getting ready for what was going to be the next step in his progression.

It took 14 games and some bouncing back and forth between the "4" and "5" spots to get there, but Stone's confidence never wavered. It hasn't been pretty at times, but he's pressed on.

Or put another way: He's stayed the course.

"I was just going out there to do my job," he said. "I didn't focus much on scoring or anything. I was just trying to do the little things to help our team win, like setting a screen or going to crash the glass or something to help our team win."
 
Right now, Stone is at his best when he keeps things simple. A&M was a perfect example. He looked terrific when teammates found him on the perimeter for open shots. The Aggies did not guard him closely when he floated around the arc, so he set up out there and made them pay.

It was when an A&M defender closed on Stone and he attacked the basket that things went sideways. Driving the ball anything but in a straight line, right now, is not his strength. He needs to understand that. Drive it, yes, but kick it to shooters when the defense closes.

"He can do so much. We just have to keep him in the right mindset," Chiozza said. "He's not going to play every game like he did against Texas A&M. No one can. But he can do other things to help the team. That's where we need him to be."

It's all part of the process. All part of staying the course.

"He plays hard, he's aggressive and he'll make some good plays," May said. "But he'll also get caught putting himself in some difficult situations. Part of that is a lack of game experience. He's still learning."

And still developing.