March 17, 2011

The Gators try play defense at every position. Erving Walker may be small for a point guard, but he's quick, works hard, and is disruptive; Kenny Boynton may be small for a shooting guard, but he's quick, works hard, and is disruptive. Chandler Parsons is big for a small forward, and yet he's quick, works hard and is disruptive. Alex Tyus bounds about with great energy, even he doesn't have the cliched energy player dreads any more. Vernon Macklin is an immovable object in the middle. And Patric Young, the freshman off the bench, is a future SEC DPOY. He really is, and you can quote me. Florida have always landed good big men, and with Young in the mix, they're right back at it.

The Gators' offense remains perimeter-oriented, led by the good outside shooting and optimistic shot selection of the small backcourt duo of Walker and Boynton. Both are good shooters with about 27 feet of range, but neither is a point guard, despite their body types. They don't like to pass, or penetrate the lane much, unless it's in transition. Instead, they pester opponents on defense, get the ball upcourt, and then look to cast up threes. This greatly helps or greatly hinders, depending on whether said shots go in. It therefore benefits Florida that Chandler Parsons is such a willing passer, as someone has to. Parsons is a big point forward, quality defender, good secondary ball handler and useful rebounder with good athleticism, much improved strength, and a much improved jumpshot. God awful free throw shooting aside, Parsons has rounded into a very nice role player, the team leader in both rebounds and assists, also chipping in 12 points per game.

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