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Florida State vs. Florida: 3 biggest storylines for 2019-20 matchup

By Jason Burgess

ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 05: The Florida Gators huddle before the NCAA Men's Final Four Semifinal against the Connecticut Huskies at AT&T Stadium on April 5, 2014 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 05: The Florida Gators huddle before the NCAA Men's Final Four Semifinal against the Connecticut Huskies at AT&T Stadium on April 5, 2014 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 22: Kerry Blackshear Jr. #24 of the Virginia Tech Hokies drives with the ball against Hasahn French #11 of the Saint Louis Billikens during their game in the First Round of the NCAA Basketball Tournament at SAP Center on March 22, 2019 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Yong Teck Lim/Getty Images)
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 22: Kerry Blackshear Jr. #24 of the Virginia Tech Hokies drives with the ball against Hasahn French #11 of the Saint Louis Billikens during their game in the First Round of the NCAA Basketball Tournament at SAP Center on March 22, 2019 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Yong Teck Lim/Getty Images) /

The Virginia Tech transfer was a huge addition for the Gators

Over the summer, coach Mike White got an early Christmas present that vaulted Florida even more on to the national radar than they were prior when he was able to land the best transfer on the market, Kerry Blackshear, Jr. who decided to leave Virginia Tech the year prior and become a grad transfer.

Blackshear, Jr. was productive during his three seasons in Blacksburg, but really took a big step forward during his second season when he averaged 12.5 points and 5.9 rebounds after 6.4 and 4.9 respectively in his first season. Last season he took another step forward with just under 15 points, 7.5 rebounds while doubling his assist numbers to 2.4.

Not only will the 6-10 241lb. forward bring offensive production, he will also provide some veteran leadership for a young Gator team that has only one player returning, Dontay Bassett that is both an upperclassman and averaged more than 10 minutes per game last season. It will be interesting to see how much an impact and focal point Blackshear, Jr. is early on for Florida, as obviously he will need to be a huge component of their success, but how much they lean on him, at least early on will be on of the things to watch in this game.

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