Shots From the Dome

Although it’s of course good news for the Florida Gators that F/C Alex Tyus is returning, more distressing for the team is the situation and depth chart in the backcourt. Since up until now Billy Donovan has been unable to recruit another guard (falling short with Rico Pickett - Manhattan, Eric Bledsoe - Kentucky, and John Wall - undecided) it seems that PG Erving Walker may end up being the only true point guard on the roster.

Overall, I actually don’t have a problem with Erving Walker as the starting point guard for the Gators. I expect him to be a “best of times/worst of times” time of player, meaning that he will have some limitations which will cause him to be a liability, but other things which will cause matchup nightmares for opposing teams.

His dribbling ability and shooting range make him tough to defend, and he will break down defenses using both of those skills, while being a pest defensively who causes trouble bringing the ball up the court. However, he’s a guy who can be shot over at 5-8, and will constantly have to keep himself from overpenetrating and forcing himself into bad shots. Overall, though? Positive.

Having his first year as the lead guard for the team while being the only true point guard on the team is troubling, however. UF will have to hope that the glimpses and encouraging words about incoming guard Kenny Boynton’s ability at the point prove to be a positive experiment. I see him having to play at least 10 minutes a game at the position this year, sink or swim.

In fact, in looking at how the minutes may be distributed, there are a lot of interesting questions raised that I hope to examine in the coming days: