NCAA Basketball: Top 25 team backcourts for 2021-22 season
By Ian Mumm
. Gators . 15. team. 526. .
Several strong wins in the back half of the season helped propel the Gators to a berth in the NCAA Tournament last March. Making the tournament was impressive enough for head coach Mike White’s team following the deeply concerning on-court medical emergency to junior wing Keyontae Johnson. The event shook the team and college basketball fans, but the Gators were able to gather themselves enough to make the postseason.
Despite last season’s success, the Florida backcourt experienced lots of turnover this offseason. Noah Locke (Louisville) and Ques Glover (Samford) transferred out of the program, while Scottie Lewis and Tre Mann entered the NBA Draft. However, the net results of this off-season’s moves aren’t necessarily bad for the Gators moving forward.
Coach White was able to retain double-digit guard Tyree Appleby who was 2nd on the team in assists per game. Appleby, a reliable perimeter asset, will assuredly capitalize on the increased workload he is due to receive this season. Joining him however are numerous proven transfers: Myreon Jones (Penn State), Brandon McKissic (UMKC), and Phlandrous Fleming (Charleston Southern).
Each tallied over 15.3 PPG in 2020 (Jones – 15.3, McKissic – 17.2, Fleming – 20.2) at their respective schools and were consistent perimeter threats with strong volume to back up their production. Fleming, Jones, and McKissic bring about added production in other facets of the game that will be beneficial to the Gators forming a balanced and strong backcourt, but defense is the one that unites them all. Florida has particularly thrived in seasons where their defense carried the day and allowed their offense extra room to sort things out.
Where this year’s group could become really interesting is with wings Kowacie Reeves and Niels Lane. Receiving minimal minutes last season, sophomore Niels Lane will be looking for a bigger role in Gainesville. Reeves on the other hand joins the Gators as a highly touted recruit and seems to have a good shot at finding a consistent role in the offense. Lane and Reeves bring size and athleticism that can help keep defenses honest and provide spacing for the rest of the offense.