Florida vs. Loyola MD Game Thread

[Zack Weiss]

Todd Golden & the Gators open their season against the Loyola University Maryland Greyhounds in the O’Connell Center at 8 p.m.

Follow along right here for live, court-side observations.

 

[Mark Wheeler]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1721652000042176604

 

[Mark Wheeler]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1721693951789506840

 

[Zack Weiss]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1721694698060800203

 

[Zack Weiss]

At the first timeout, Florida's dominating. 9-0.

Even without Zyon Pullin, this starting unit looks great.

Condon was first and only sub off bench through first 3.5 mins.

 

[Zack Weiss]

Of the Gators' first nine points, Samuel has 4, Clayton 3 and Kugel 2.

Tyrese Samuel's dominating the interior.

 

[Zack Weiss]

Walter Clayton looks like the perfect point guard for this team. Willing and able to push the pace, unselfish and can be trusted to knock down an open three. It's early, but I like him better than either of this team's starting guards from last year for the system Golden wants to run.

 

[Zack Weiss]

Aberdeen in. Richard out.

Haugh in. Samuel out.

 

[Zack Weiss]

Condon with back-to-back threes. He's looking like what Golden hoped Szymczyk would last season.

 

[Zack Weiss]

Kugel looks incredibly calm, which is a good thing. But, almost too nonchalant. Not particularly aggressive. Might just be an initial thing though. Definitely looking at him to be more and more aggressive as the game goes on, particularly this half and the start of the second — assuming this get very out of hand.

 

[Zack Weiss]

Right on cue, great defensive play by the sophomore as Kugel jumps in the passing lane and gets fouled on a fastbreak dunk attempt. Looking for his fourth and fifth points of the night after going 1/2 at the line the play before.

 

[Zack Weiss]

Micah in for Condon. Rishwain for Clayton.

 

[Zack Weiss]

Aberdeen is an exceptional perimeter defender.

 

[Zack Weiss]

Rishwain 3. Everyone getting a bit involved. Which, in a game like this against an inferior opponent, is everything.

 

[Zack Weiss]

Second timeout, 25-8 Florida, 11:09 remaining in half

Scoring leaders:

Samuel 6
Condon 6
Kugel 5 (3 assists)

 

[Zack Weiss]

Aberdeen is so damn skilled. This is going to be a huge season for him as he looks to earn PT behind (for now) Clayton and Pullin (when he comes back).

 

[Zack Weiss]

These new, young bigs for Florida (Handlogten, Condon, Haugh) are all clearly skilled. But they're all clearly young. Defensive lapses and loose hands early, which isn't unexpected. These games before SEC play are all going to be huge for them, as the team will need them all in a major way down the stretch.

 

[Zack Weiss]

This unit, without Kugel or Clayton, needs to fed Samuel the ball down low every halfcourt set. Only good things have happened when they have. He, like Kugel, can have a halfcourt offense ran through him. I'm not sure who else on this team can.

 

[Mark Wheeler]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1721698792557412802

 

[Zack Weiss]

I love what I've seen from Walter Clayton defensively tonight. Quick feet, smart hands, unafraid to get up on the ball without being silly about it.