|
#56 Florida Gators
Southeastern
Conference
2004-05: 24-8, 12-4, 2nd
East
2004-05 postseason:
NCAA
By
Joel Welser
The loss of David
Lee, Anthony Roberson and Matt Walsh is a huge blow to the
offensive prowess of Florida. The good news is the defense will
be much improved, which will create some easy offense on the
other end of the court, but not enough to replace the lost
scoring trio.
Who’s Out:
Anthony Roberson and Matt Walsh left school early to go
undrafted on draft night. Roberson led the team with 17.5 points
and added 2.4 assists. Walsh averaged 14.6 points, 3.0 assists
and 3.6 rebounds. Lee stayed in school all four years and was
rewarded being the coveted last pick in the first round of the
NBA Draft. As a senior, Lee averaged 13.6 points, 9.0 boards and
2.2 assists. Also leaving the basketball team is Cornelius
Ingram. Ingram saw limited minutes last year and the two sport
start will concentrate on football this year.
Who’s In:
Walter Hodge is a tremendous point
guard. The 5-10 lefty can shoot, drive and dish quite well and
will see minutes running the show along with returnee Taurean
Green. Shooting guard David Huertas is a lights out shooter with
a quick release. At 6-5, he has nice height for a two guard and
will play a role for the Gators off the bench. Center Jimmie
Sutton is a physical big man. At 6-10, 245 pounds, Sutton has
the body that is ready for SEC play. His shot blocking and
rebounding is solid, but like most young big men, his post moves
need some development. Derwin Kitchen would have battled for the
starting shooting guard spot, but will not be academically
qualified to play at the beginning of the season.
Who to Watch:
Corey Brewer and Al Horford are the
only two returning starters. The sophomores will have to step up
and become team leaders on and off the court. Brewer, a 6-8
wing, averaged 7.5 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.0 assists last
season as a freshman. Brewer can run the floor and finish from
inside and out. Horford, also 6-8, spends most of his time in
the paint where he averaged 5.6 points and 6.5 boards. The duo
is young, but they will be asked to fill in the scoring void
left by the departing players. If they fail in doing so, it will
be a long year in Gainesville.
Projected
Conference Rank:
The SEC has had better years, but
with no dominating squad around, the young Gators can make some
noise. The backcourt depth is lacking, which might minimize the
up and down tempo usually employed by Coach Billy Donovan,
however, there is plenty of talent. Joakim Noah, Chris Richard
and Adrian Moss have the ability to become more than roleplayers
in the frontcourt. In the backcourt the newcomers won’t have
much adjustment time with only Lee Humphrey and Taurean Green
returning. Normally a 5th place finish in the SEC
will get you a trip the NCAAs, but not this year.
Projected
Post-season Tournament:
NIT
Projected Starting
Five:
Taurean Green,
Sophomore, Guard, 3.9 points per game
Lee Humphrey, Junior,
Guard, 4.8 points per game
Corey Brewer,
Sophomore, Forward, 7.5 points per game
Al Horford, Sophomore,
Forward, 5.6 points per game
Adrian Moss, Senior,
Forward, 2.4 points per game
|
