Tre Mann, Scottie Lewis to lead Florida Basketball versus Virginia Tech
Tre Mann
Johnson’s illness left a huge void for the Gators offensively and without a go-to–guy. However, Tre Mann has stepped up and filled that void and, as a result, turned himself into a real NBA prospect.
The 6-5 combo guard has been on the floor for over 75% of the total minutes (31.6 mpg) for the Gators. Mann, who has an offensive rating of 110.1, has a usage rate of 25.8% and takes 26.8% of the team’s shots when on the floor. He draws 4.4 fouls per 40 minutes and has recorded an effective field goal percentage of 52.6%, a true percentage of 57.5%, and a 22.2% assist rate.
Mann averages 16.7 points along with 5.4 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 2.7 turnovers for the season. The Gainesville native has scored in double-figures in 18 of his 22 appearances, but the Gators are just 4-4 when he shoots under 40% from the field.
The sophomore has been playing his best basketball of late, averaging better than 22 points and shooting 58 percent over the last five games, scoring no fewer than 19 along the way, including a career-high 30 (with 28 in the second half) in the Gators’ loss to Tennessee in the SEC Tournament.
3-point Shooting
Virginia Tech plays man-to-man with an emphasis on protecting the paint, so if Appleby/Mann can get into the paint or Castleton can be a factor that will open up looks for Appleby, Mann, and Noah Locke. Locke is a sharpshooter who has knocked down 2.3 treys a game at a 40.6% clip this year. The Gators don’t shoot many threes (6.8-19.1), but they may need to make several on Thursday to loosen up the interior.
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Bench
Florida is not overly deep, but there is certainly some talent with Scottie Lewis, Omar Payne, Ques Glover, and Osayi Osifo. The Gators bench contribute 17.1 points and nearly 10 rebounds a game, but they have been outscored 61-32 over the last three contests. UF will need better production from the second unit.