Gators head coach Todd Golden instructs during a preseason practice. Golden is an analytic coach who features an attacking mentality on both ends of the floor (Photo Courtesy of UAA Communications).
Solid Gators Grind – Florida came back late to win the national championship and prevail over Houston to allow the Gators to cut the nets in the Alamodome last April. The Gators forced five Houston turnovers in the last three minutes, and Walter Clayton, Jr. made a key defensive stop and scored 11 points in the last ten minutes of the game after being shut out until then.
Coach Todd Golden returns a post-game that sees four of the top big men in the nation in Alex Condon, Thomas Haugh, Micah Handlogten, and Rueben Cinyelu. Condon is a leader who can score from anywhere on the floor, while Haugh is one of the most unselfish players in the game, excelling in areas such as passing, rebounding, shot selection, and defense. Handlogten is a versatile 7-footer who creates his own opportunities. Chinyelu, who came in last season from Washington State, uses his athleticism and size to outplay opponents inside.
“My expectation is those guys will take a huge leap, become the leaders of this team, take on a lot more responsibility than they had last year,” said Golden. “In theory, it should make it easier on those guys coming in and learning our system and program.”
Gators on Guard – The play of Clayton throughout the NCAA Tournament was legendary as he led the Gators from deficits in four of the six games. Alijah Martin and Will Richard joined Clayton as a solid scoring trio. Martin was an excellent defender, while Richard led the team in assists.
Former Arkansas guard Boogie Fland and Princeton transfer Xaivian Lee will control the backcourt, where Fland is a playmaker who scored 13.5 ppg. He had an incredible 3.5-to-1 turnover ratio that proves his playmaking abilities. Lee can join Fland as another guard who can orchestrate plays from the point. His three-ball will be prime in the Gators’ offense since he shot 36.9 percent from behind the arc for the Tigers.
Boogie, a really hard worker, coachable,” analyzed Golden. “I think he came in with a great mentality, is allowing us to guide him. A great competitor. Incredible on-ball defender. I look at Xaivian as a guy coming in, just a really fantastic offensive player. Really quick and explosive with the ball in his hands.”
Double Trouble: Coach Golden likes the implementation of two playmakers on the floor, simultaneously. He was known for the strategy as the head coach at San Francisco with a pair of excellent guards in Jamaree Bouyea and Khalil Shabazz.
“We’ll play with a ball screen, be able to call and run different actions in the halfcourt to get Xaivian downhill using a ball screen,” explained Golden. “Boogie is going to start at the point for us, but Xaivian will be a second side play-maker and then will play point when Boog is out of the game.”
Pearls of Wisdom: Legendary Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl was one of Golden’s mentors. He started his career at Columbia and joined Pearl at Auburn from 2014-2016.
“I love him,” said Golden. “I’m happy for him that he’s in a position where he’s accomplished and can kind of ride out into the sunset and enjoy his life without the stresses we have to endure on a daily basis.”
Steven Pearl is one of Golden’s best friends, as he took over the Tigers when Bruce retired in September.
“I think you have the right to have somebody within your program get the opportunity to lead,” said Golden. “If you look in that program, Steven has been with Bruce every step of the way, from the lowest spot on the totem pole to now being an associate head.”