Gator Basketball Gators vs West Virginia

Ancient Reptile · Jan 31, 2021

The analyst kept saying that Jitoboh should be playing so he could body up on Culver. I actually liked that idea. I thought that, although it would cost us points early, it would pay off eventually by causing Culver to accumulate fouls and also to tire. Wonder what others think?

rogdochar · Jan 31, 2021

Ancient Reptile said:
The analyst kept saying that Jitoboh should be playing so he could body up on Culver. I actually liked that idea. I thought that, although it would cost us points early, it would pay off eventually by causing Culver to accumulate fouls and also to tire. Wonder what others think?

Plus, low & behold Jitiboh starts learning his "wall-out" role as well encouraged at being a useful member of his team. Jitoboh doesn't have to jump to confound the inside shooter.

Marine1 · Jan 31, 2021

rogdochar said:
First, let's scold our UF staff for leaving Jitoboh off the players' listing. Making a list; checking it twice.
I've never seen refs dialed into unwarrantedly actually remove points scored by the visiting team -- I think at least 5 Gator-points were erased after the fact. ?? We beat 'em anyway.

The big criticism of Mike White has never been about him being a side-court cheerleader = it has been a call for him to be an in-game side-court teacher of basketball. Immediately take out a messing-up kid, give him an instant lecture on what's wrong & what's better. Sit him thinking on that - not ruminating about a pouting coach. Now, IMO, these guys have shown the way; they have inspired their coach to work at teaching & inspiring his team of college kids. We could talk about Mike White developing lately. That, we all like. To that players are responding. Hope it will be a continuous no-look-back development shared by players and their coach-squad.
Keep the Go Gators - you're all enjoyable to watch and to root for.

I think what we are seeing is a group of kids who are becoming more coachable and not reacting negatively to coaching. Mann has sat long stretches after silly fouls and come back stronger each time as an example. For two straight seasons MW has limited Payne’s minutes due to defensive lapses. Maybe now he is beginning to turn the corner. I have seen multiple references about this years group having far better chemistry than last years.

At least for me....Whites deficiencies have been related to pace and scheme and the tendency to sit on a lead too early.

I’m pretty confident that the kids are not teaching White anything. Rather they are responding with positive attitudes and team orientation.

As a coach I have been very impressed in how Lewis, Mann and Payne have been brought along. The biggest surprise of last year was how unready all 3 were for this level of basketball. I was literally shocked. But now Mann is a weapon, Lewis is improving and rounding out his game and Payne is showing hints of getting it (he has always had talent but appeared lost).

Next steps for White:

Develop a killer attitude and willingness to step on an opponent’s throat. Although not to the degree some believe. I always taught when you get down to 3-4 minutes left and you have the lead, the ball, the bonus and the clock you have....checkmate. You now control the outcome almost entirely. White has had a tendency to sit on the ball either with too small a lead or too much time on the clock.

Clean up the little details on D while continuing to apply pressure with uptempo defense. Build on the annoying, pesky, agitating defensive mentality.

Tighten up the offensive scheme and silly turnovers without letting the playmakers lose their freedom.

Marine1 · Jan 31, 2021

Ancient Reptile said:
The analyst kept saying that Jitoboh should be playing so he could body up on Culver. I actually liked that idea. I thought that, although it would cost us points early, it would pay off eventually by causing Culver to accumulate fouls and also to tire. Wonder what others think?

I like Jitoboh a lot. He can be a sleeper and really contribute or be the next kid that eats his way off the court.

I would use him only situationally until he gets serious about his conditioning. I think it’s entirely on him to decide which way it goes.

The upside for this kid is real. As I understand it he got started very late playing this game and thus is raw. He also ballooned in weight in HS (may have had an injury).....lost a good bit....then gained some back. I would love to see this kid about 30 lbs lighter and see what he could do.

Frozen Gator · Jan 31, 2021

Good posts Marine 1, I was going to add keep developing the backups. What a talent pool we have. I've cussed White enough so I'm going to give credit where credit is due. Good job coach on bringing in the talent and restructuring (twice) your offense.

Marine1 · Jan 31, 2021

Frozen Gator said:
Good posts Marine 1, I was going to add keep developing the backups. What a talent pool we have. I've cussed White enough so I'm going to give credit where credit is due. Good job coach on bringing in the talent and restructuring (twice) your offense.

Agree....I think 2 backups he is bringing along slowly is Osipo and Ruzhentsez. I can already see Osifo progressing. Ruz at times has looked like a deer in headlights but has promise.
Duruji is a big key. He has athleticism and length but needs to get under control and eat more consistent with his shot.

Frozen Gator · Jan 31, 2021

Marine1 said:
Agree....I think 2 backups he is bringing along slowly is Osipo and Ruzhentsez. I can already see Osifo progressing. Ruz at times has looked like a deer in headlights but has promise.
Duruji is a big key. He has athleticism and length but needs to get under control and eat more consistent with his shot.

I have high hopes for those guys, Duruji could be very special.

Egor's Assistant · Jan 31, 2021

Frozen Gator said:
Good posts Marine 1, I was going to add keep developing the backups. What a talent pool we have. I've cussed White enough so I'm going to give credit where credit is due. Good job coach on bringing in the talent and restructuring (twice) your offense.

The guy can recruit. Brings in a surprising number of 5*'s and tons of other interesting players.
That's one of the reasons these underachieving seasons are so frustrating.
So much talent, so little to show for it....So far.
Let's see what Scottie and the boys can come up with in the high strangeness of 2021.

Frozen Gator · Jan 31, 2021

Egor's Assistant said:
The guy can recruit. Brings in a surprising number of 5*'s and tons of other interesting players.
That's one of the reasons these underachieving seasons are so frustrating.
So much talent, so little to show for it....So far.
Let's see what Scottie and the boys can come up with in the high strangeness of 2021.

When a young coach takes a step into the "bigtime" at a predominate university with high expectations there is a learning curve for him too.

CGgater · Jan 31, 2021

Frozen Gator said:
When a young coach takes a step into the "bigtime" at a predominate university with high expectations there is a learning curve for him too.

Learning curve? He hit a learning plateau before Cheez hit that 3 pt buzzer beater vs Wisconsin.

Frozen Gator · Jan 31, 2021

CGgater said:
Learning curve? He hit a learning plateau before Cheez hit that 3 pt buzzer beater vs Wisconsin.

Very well could be but I like what is going on this year and will hold out hope. He's not going anywhere anyway, too connected.

stephenPE · Feb 1, 2021

Basketball...........an amazing game with dozens of options appearing every few seconds quick as a hiccup. Nothing like it. Soccer comes close. I love the inside out game. Castelton learns how to kick it out quicker and his looks will become more frequent and more productive as they have to remember the perimeter. Now, boys, don’t get caught watching the paint dry

Jbossgator8 · Feb 1, 2021

Crazy how we lost to UK and both teams have gone in opposite directions due to coaching and usage of talent. They mentioned on ESPN how UF has the 2 biggest and best wins of the year so far in college basketball with the blowout/domination/pounding of top 10 Tenn and then the HUGE road win @ #11 WV where we dominated the 2nd half due to great coaching adjustments and mental toughness.

Double Gator Dad · Feb 1, 2021

rogdochar said:
First, let's scold our UF staff for leaving Jitoboh off the players' listing. Making a list; checking it twice.
I've never seen refs dialed into unwarrantedly actually remove points scored by the visiting team -- I think at least 5 Gator-points were erased after the fact. ?? We beat 'em anyway.

The big criticism of Mike White has never been about him being a side-court cheerleader = it has been a call for him to be an in-game side-court teacher of basketball. Immediately take out a messing-up kid, give him an instant lecture on what's wrong & what's better. Sit him thinking on that - not ruminating about a pouting coach. Now, IMO, these guys have shown the way; they have inspired their coach to work at teaching & inspiring his team of college kids. We could talk about Mike White developing lately. That, we all like. To that players are responding. Hope it will be a continuous no-look-back development shared by players and their coach-squad.
Keep the Go Gators - you're all enjoyable to watch and to root for.

Exactly Rog

Typical double talk to label our complaints about engagement as cheerleading. As you mentioned White needs to step up his in-game coaching.

I have said this over and over but I will try again.
In the 36 years I sat nearly courtside the thing I learned first was that refs respond directly to the demeanor of the coaches on the sidelines. If you fight for your team, the calls will even out during a game. If you quietly accept their behavior, they will continue throughout the game.

A coach does NOT have to carry on like a lunatic (see Bruce Pearl) but instead isolate specific calls or specific situational calls (block/charge, etc) and light them up when they are missing or misjudging calls. Multiple times during a game with an engaged coach you will see a bad call immediately followed by a ticky tac call, otherwise known as a make up call, to reverse the situation. This rarely happens these days as White never complains.

Maybe I have not been paying attention but I don’t recall ever seeing a cheerleader do anything like what I described.

Jbossgator8 · Feb 1, 2021

As I watched the replay of the game, I had a watchful eye on White and he was VERY animated on the sideline shouting out instructions, talking to players, and also talking to refs about a number of the very bad calls or missed calls by the refs. Very encouraging to see but a few years ago when I went to a few games in Gainesville, he was the same way doing all of the above that I talked about so I think alot of that stuff is just not seen much or a blind eye turned to it and called bad, passive coaching.

lagator · Feb 1, 2021

Ancient Reptile said:
The analyst kept saying that Jitoboh should be playing so he could body up on Culver. I actually liked that idea. I thought that, although it would cost us points early, it would pay off eventually by causing Culver to accumulate fouls and also to tire. Wonder what others think?

It looks like he's dropped a few lbs since the start of the year which is why he's at least able to get off the bench. But he's still not conditioned enough to play more than a few minutes at a time. He's also very limited athletically. He doesn't fit the up-tempo style we are trying to play. Payne and Castleton are often the first guys down the court on transition and Jit virtually always the last. Honestly he's not much more than a cheap trick to surprise the opponent as to why there's an offensive Tackle on the floor blocking their path to the hoop and still expect he is a transfer candidate eventually.

TLB · Feb 1, 2021

t-gator said:
When has Bob Huggins ever won shcit?

Cabell County Pie Eating Champ in eight of the last 12 years. Runner up on the other occasions.

Ancient Reptile · Feb 1, 2021

Double Gator Dad said:
Exactly Rog

Typical double talk to label our complaints about engagement as cheerleading. As you mentioned White needs to step up his in-game coaching.

I have said this over and over but I will try again.
In the 36 years I sat nearly courtside the thing I learned first was that refs respond directly to the demeanor of the coaches on the sidelines. If you fight for your team, the calls will even out during a game. If you quietly accept their behavior, they will continue throughout the game.

A coach does NOT have to carry on like a lunatic (see Bruce Pearl) but instead isolate specific calls or specific situational calls (block/charge, etc) and light them up when they are missing or misjudging calls. Multiple times during a game with an engaged coach you will see a bad call immediately followed by a ticky tac call, otherwise known as a make up call, to reverse the situation. This rarely happens these days as White never complains.

Maybe I have not been paying attention but I don’t recall ever seeing a cheerleader do anything like what I described.

What you haven't paid attention to are rod's posts.

stephenPE · Feb 1, 2021

TLB said:
Cabell County Pie Eating Champ in eight of the last 12 years. Runner up on the other occasions.

I thought he was disqualied one year for throwing up before the alloted time had passed and only was credited with 7 offical wins.......

rogdochar · Feb 1, 2021

Just recently, there has been a newly transformed Mike White on the side court. His responses seem smart-targeted and effective. Has this resulted in no stars going backward in their performances like what happened to stars in the past? The fierce coaching I'm seeing from White, I've not witnessed previously. For White, it's like he got mad about just taking what comes. (Was the cause the extremely terrible blow that was dealt to KJ?) White has newly developed himself probably with the help of this group of players. = credit to coach MW, to MW's recruiting (smart selecting), and credit to all White's young, learning, gelling good-guys >> all credit to the HC in charge now.

This coach, this team, this new style has our fanbase excited. Watching Gator basketball is exciting & fun now. (I've never refused to watch them even in droughts, and always wishing them the best.)

Any of us Mike White criticizers can be won over by the unrelenting development of White and his bball students. Still, like all teams' coaches, White has to persevere by continuing to conquer opposing coaches. With this overall increase in fierceness, even when some team defeats us, we'll get 'em next time. Go Gators. We are being rewarded by this style, by these guys -- all young.

Something I've overlooked = if White continues his knack at excellent recruiting, he & UF bball can sit atop the SEC competition, yearly. Our players have always liked Mike White, so better winning will make them love him, and investigating future recruits will notice that. Like in all cases in all leagues >>> no backsliding. (What if Payne catches fire and gets 25% better and Jitiboh gets 125% better :D)?

Gator Basketball Gators vs West Virginia

Senior Member

RIP

Semper Fidelis

Semper Fidelis

Well-Known Member

Semper Fidelis

Well-Known Member

SAVE CHATTER

Well-Known Member

Gainesville Native

Well-Known Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Just chillin'

Senior Member

Senior Member

RIP

Users who are viewing this thread

Forum statistics