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New Year’s Resolutions: Florida Gators

Florida guard Scottie Wilbekin (5) jubilates as Kansas center Joel Embiid (21) walks behind during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2013 in Gainesville, Fla. Florida defeated The University of Kansas 67-61. (AP Photo/Phil Sandlin)

AP

Over the course of the holiday week, we at College Basketball Talk will be detailing what we believe will be the New Year’s Resolutions of some of the nation’s most talented, most disappointing, and thoroughly enigmatic teams. What can we say, we’re in a giving mood.

Who else made Resolutions? Click here to find out.

WHAT DOES FLORIDA PROMISE TO DO MORE OF?: Mesh their missing pieces together.


  • Why it will happen: Suspensions and injuries have dominated the headlines this early season for the Gators and now that their backcourt of Scottie Wilbekin and Kasey Hill have both returned, it should stabilize Florida’s team significantly. When you also consider that forward Dorian Finney-Smith missed time due to suspension and freshman forward Chris Walker is just now practicing with the team, and this team has a lot of pieces that they’ll add to an already promising start. It also doesn’t hurt that the new Gators will be meshing with some experienced seniors like Patric Young, Casey Prather and Will Yeguete.
  • Why it won’t happen: Although the Gators are integrating their complete backcourt and also adding Chris Walker, the seniors and current rotation of players have done a tremendous job of adapting -- and winning -- without them. Casey Prather and Patric Young have gotten it done on both ends of the floor and Billy Donovan has adjusted his coaching tactics with this depleted group to limit three-pointers on offense and even throw some new defenses -- like a 1-3-1 against Kansas -- into the equation as well.

WHAT DOES FLORIDA SWEAR THEY WILL DO LESS OF?: Rely so heavily on Casey Prather.


  • Why it will happen: A career role player before his breakout senior season, Prather has been the most consistent player in the SEC and is leading the Gators in points (18.5 per game), is one-off the team lead in total rebounds and third in assists. But now that Wilbekin and Hill are returning, it should mean less pressure on Prather to create on his own or for his teammates. When Chris Walker returns it will also give the Gators multiple low-post threats -- with Patric Young’s rolling hook -- and allow Prather to spot up and be ready to attack off the catch. Simply put: More talent surrounding Prather means less pressure on him.
  • Why it won’t happen: Prather is playing out of his mind, so why would Billy Donovan want to go away from a player shooting 62 percent from the field this season despite only attempting three shots from beyond the arc? Florida is just a better team when the ball is in Prather’s hands because although he’s aggressive, he plays within himself and shoots high-percentage shots and rarely forces things. With the exception of Patric Young, Prather has double the free-throw attempts of any other Gator and is one of the few Florida offensive players and can successfully attack the rim and get to the line. Despite all of the talent returning, Prather is a favorite for SEC Player of the Year and should be Florida’s go-to guy until further notice.

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