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Florida Basketball: Key to success against North Florida in 2019-20

By Lukas Harkins

DES MOINES, IOWA - MARCH 21: Andrew Nembhard #2 of the Florida Gators handles the ball on offense against the Nevada Wolf Pack in the second half during the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Wells Fargo Arena on March 21, 2019 in Des Moines, Iowa. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
DES MOINES, IOWA - MARCH 21: Andrew Nembhard #2 of the Florida Gators handles the ball on offense against the Nevada Wolf Pack in the second half during the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Wells Fargo Arena on March 21, 2019 in Des Moines, Iowa. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
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DES MOINES, IOWA – MARCH 21: Nembhard of the Gators is defended. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
DES MOINES, IOWA – MARCH 21: Nembhard of the Gators is defended. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

2. Look to run in transition.

Florida ranked just 291st in offensive tempo last season despite forcing turnovers on the 17th-highest percentage in the country. And while it is certainly reasonable to slow down the pace and operate in the halfcourt, the Gators struggled in those sets and therefore wound up with just the 61st-best adjusted offensive efficiency nationally. In order for Coach White’s team to excel and earn its place at the top of the list for national title contenders this year, the offense needs to be substantially better.

With regard to how that might be remedied, this roster is designed to get out and run in transition. Scottie Lewis is an absolute nightmare to cover in the fast-break and you would be hard-pressed to find a better creator at speed than Nembhard. Additionally, Blackshear can be a trailing threat while Locke can be dangerous as a spot-up shooter in transition as well. Of course, I am not trying to suggest that the Gators completely abandon their scheme from last season, but it might be prudent to actively push the pace following turnovers and missed shots.

It is also important to mention that five-star freshman Tre Mann should also be extremely dangerous in transition. He is a very capable combo guard with the ability to light it up from beyond the arc. He will be the super-sub for the team this season as arguably the best sixth man in the country.

This matchup against North Florida will give fans a strong inside look into how Coach White will approach the pace of play this season. As already mentioned, the Ospreys love to get the ball up and down the court while also committing an insanely high number of turnovers. Considering the Gators’ propensity for playing the passing lanes, it is reasonable to expect that the squad could dominant in transition in the season opener.

Look for Florida to continue running deliberate halfcourt sets following made baskets by UNF but also pushing the pace off turnovers. This team could be deadly in transition and this should be a solid tune-up game to figure out chemistry on the break.

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