Depth helps bolster Gators
Variety of players have helped UF
GAINESVILLE — UF coach Mike White is never quite sure which team is going to show up.
So far, it always has been a pretty good one. The pieces are just a little bit different each time out.
This past Tuesday at Alabama, redshirt freshman Keith Stone stole the show. A week ago against Tennessee, senior Justin Leon delivered a career performance.
When someone is off for the No. 23 Gators (13-3, 4-0 SEC), someone else is on.
“We’ve been really fortunate that the right guy or two has stepped up on the right nights, when needed the most,” White said Friday. “Not only quality depth, but experienced quality depth makes it a luxury for us, knowing that we’ve got nine or 10 guys we can count on, potentially.”
Entering today’s visit from Georgia (11-5, 3-1), nine Gators have scored in double figures at least twice and average at least 12 minutes. Leading scorer KeVaughn Allen leads UF with an average of 27.1 minutes, while Devin Robinson has a teamhigh 12 game in double figures — Allen and sixth man Canyon Barry have 11 each.
But Robinson is coming of his worst two-game stretch, with 12 total points. Allen followed a season-high 23 points against Tennessee with a six-point outing at Alabama.
Even so, the Gators (13-3, 4-0 SEC) did not skip a beat and are riding a six-game winning streak — the longest during White’s two seasons.
“I think the depth is great,” senior point guard Kasey Hill said. “Guys like Keith Stone, who can play starter minutes any night. ... when certain guys aren’t making shots and playing defense, I think it’s great.
“I think it’s gonna help us throughout the rest of the season.”
The Gators continue to inch up the rankings and strengthen their case for the school’s first NCAA tournament bid since 2014 — and White’s first in six seasons as a head coach. UF is No. 3 in the Ratings Percentage Index, but its gaudy strength of schedule, currently ranked No. 2, is sure to suffer deeper into the SEC schedule.
The conference is 1-30 against teams ranked in the RPI’s top-25 — the only win by Kentucky against North Carolina.
UF’s three losses are to No. 9 Florida State, No. 7 Duke and No. 5 Gonzaga. But the Gators were in each game until late and have been a cut above the rest of the SEC.
The depth of White’s squad is a big reason. It makes the Gators dangerous.
“I think we’ve got a pretty high ceiling,” White said.
Georgia likely will demand the Gators be engaged from start to finish.
The Bulldogs are No. 31 in the RPI and feature two of the SEC’s top players, power forward Yante Maten and point guard J.J. Frazier. The 6-foot-8, 240-pound Maten is a powerhouse who averages 19.9 points and 8.6 rebounds.
“Guys just bounce him,” White said.
Meanwhile, the 5-foot-10, 155-pound Frazier is a jet who can match the speed of the the Gators’ Hill, who has 10 steals during the past two games.
UF usually has found an answer, no matter who crosses its path. But the Gators’ biggest challenge going forward is the Gators.
“We haven’t put 40 minutes together,” White said. “That’s our fault; we have to figure out a way to put 40 together. We’ll see. We’re striving toward it.” off