Tonight is an important matchup in the SEC East in Athens. The Bulldogs and Gators face off at 7 PM on ESPN. The Bulldogs have an opportunity to knock off the Gators from the top spot in the SEC East. Here is a breakdown of the key contributors for each squad.
Florida
Vernon Macklin (6-10 SR) - A dependable man in the middle and loves to play with his back to the basket down low. Struggles from the free throw line shooting less than 50%
Alex Tyus (6-8 SR) - Once was the proud owner of the worst hairstyle in the SEC with his receding hairline dreadlocks. His production has decreased this year but is still a solid contributor with his mid range game and helps in the rebounding department.
Chandler Parsons (6-9 SR) - A matchup nightmare for UGA in this game in that they have nobody of substantial length that will play perimeter defense on the rangy Parsons. Parsons shoots the 3 at a 37% clip and is the teams leading rebounder.
Kenny Boyton (6-2 SO) - 2009 McDonalds All American who has the ability to shoot the Gators in or out of any game they play. Struggled shooting the three this year, especially away from home (26%).
Erving Walker (5-8 JR) - The sparkplug of the offense, the speedy Walker is the primary ball handler and the leading scorer for the Gators. Shoots extremely well from 3 but has a tendency to play a little fast and turn the ball over (assist to turnover ratio of 1.15)
Bench - The bench is comprised mainly of Freshmen and Sophomores who contribute little to the offense but provide a good amount of size in Erik Walker and Patric Young
UGA
Trey Thompkins (6-9 JR) - An NBA prospect who averages 17 PPG and was preseason SEC Player of the Year. Pretty good stroke from the line (70%) which is important because I think this will be a physical game.
Jeremy Price/Chris Barnes (6-8 SR's) - Both are pretty much the same player and they split time. Neither of which are threats to score the basketball. Pretty much used as rebounders and extra beef down low.
Travis Leslie (6-4 JR) - The most explosive athlete in college basketball. He has one of the better FG %'s in the SEC mainly due to the fact he is most of the time throwing one down. He attacks the basket and shoots 80% from the line. Sometimes can become a liability on defense due to his lack of size when playing longer wing players.
Gerald Robinson (6-1 JR) - A transfer from Tennessee St. who is definitely SEC caliber from day 1. Has been a great scorer since league play has began averaging 18 points per. Also has improved from 3 in SEC play (9-17 53%).
Dustin Ware (5-11 JR) - Ware is relatively quiet when it comes to scoring the basketball, but is a good distributor of the rock with a 4:1 assist to turnover ratio. Will drop the occasional three but mainly leaves the scoring to Thompkins, Leslie and Robinson.
Bench - Similar to Florida in that there isnt much spark coming from the bench. Barnes is logging the most minutes when giving the bigs a spell.
After taking all that into account I think this is a huge spot for UGA to come out on national TV and impress. I believe it will be a physical game and both teams looking to get to the free throw line. UGA shoots it at a little better rate overall and their main contributors are all at or above 70% unlike UF with Parsons and Macklin swimming around 54% and below. A close game I see home court and free throws being the difference, I'll take UGA ML.
Gators 67 - Bulldogs 70
Florida
Vernon Macklin (6-10 SR) - A dependable man in the middle and loves to play with his back to the basket down low. Struggles from the free throw line shooting less than 50%
Alex Tyus (6-8 SR) - Once was the proud owner of the worst hairstyle in the SEC with his receding hairline dreadlocks. His production has decreased this year but is still a solid contributor with his mid range game and helps in the rebounding department.
Chandler Parsons (6-9 SR) - A matchup nightmare for UGA in this game in that they have nobody of substantial length that will play perimeter defense on the rangy Parsons. Parsons shoots the 3 at a 37% clip and is the teams leading rebounder.
Kenny Boyton (6-2 SO) - 2009 McDonalds All American who has the ability to shoot the Gators in or out of any game they play. Struggled shooting the three this year, especially away from home (26%).
Erving Walker (5-8 JR) - The sparkplug of the offense, the speedy Walker is the primary ball handler and the leading scorer for the Gators. Shoots extremely well from 3 but has a tendency to play a little fast and turn the ball over (assist to turnover ratio of 1.15)
Bench - The bench is comprised mainly of Freshmen and Sophomores who contribute little to the offense but provide a good amount of size in Erik Walker and Patric Young
UGA
Trey Thompkins (6-9 JR) - An NBA prospect who averages 17 PPG and was preseason SEC Player of the Year. Pretty good stroke from the line (70%) which is important because I think this will be a physical game.
Jeremy Price/Chris Barnes (6-8 SR's) - Both are pretty much the same player and they split time. Neither of which are threats to score the basketball. Pretty much used as rebounders and extra beef down low.
Travis Leslie (6-4 JR) - The most explosive athlete in college basketball. He has one of the better FG %'s in the SEC mainly due to the fact he is most of the time throwing one down. He attacks the basket and shoots 80% from the line. Sometimes can become a liability on defense due to his lack of size when playing longer wing players.
Gerald Robinson (6-1 JR) - A transfer from Tennessee St. who is definitely SEC caliber from day 1. Has been a great scorer since league play has began averaging 18 points per. Also has improved from 3 in SEC play (9-17 53%).
Dustin Ware (5-11 JR) - Ware is relatively quiet when it comes to scoring the basketball, but is a good distributor of the rock with a 4:1 assist to turnover ratio. Will drop the occasional three but mainly leaves the scoring to Thompkins, Leslie and Robinson.
Bench - Similar to Florida in that there isnt much spark coming from the bench. Barnes is logging the most minutes when giving the bigs a spell.
After taking all that into account I think this is a huge spot for UGA to come out on national TV and impress. I believe it will be a physical game and both teams looking to get to the free throw line. UGA shoots it at a little better rate overall and their main contributors are all at or above 70% unlike UF with Parsons and Macklin swimming around 54% and below. A close game I see home court and free throws being the difference, I'll take UGA ML.
Gators 67 - Bulldogs 70
