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The No. 24 Florida Gator (6-1) basketball team travel to Jacksonville tonight at 7 p.m. to face the University of North Florida Ospreys (3-5).
The Gators have started the season strong, even without a home court. Florida has secured quality wins over Seton Hall, Florida Gulf Coast, and Mercer. The only flaw on the Gators’ schedule to this point was a five-point loss to now no. 8 Gonzaga in Orlando. Fans can point to many improvements in the Gators’ play this year that has lead to their improved play. The most evident of the bunch is the Gators’ improved point guard play from senior Kasey Hill.
Growing Pains
Kasey Hill joined the Gators four years ago as a highly touted Mcdonald’s All-American point guard, tenth in the ESPN top 100 behind a plethora of NBA stars inducing Jabari Parker and Andrew Wiggins.
Hill struggled early in his time at the University of Florida. With an assist-to-turnover ratio around two to one, a field goal percentage that never broke 40 percent, and a free throw percentage that hovered around 55 percent, Kasey knew something needed to change.
Senior Year
Going into his senior year, Hill focused heavily on this mental game. He and the rest of the Gator team met with a sports psychologist in order to improve their play, and frame of thinking on the court.
Hill has made an emphasis this season in staying in the right frame of mind during the entire game. While staying focused is important, Hill has also been much more aggressive while he plays. Hill’s speed with the ball is a game changer and provides ample ability to make plays. Head coach Mike White has implored Hill to stay aggressive on the court and continue trying to get the ball to the basket.
Hey man, if Kasey Hill can do that, the #Gators could have a really special season. pic.twitter.com/USbG3ZUpoH
— #InAllKindsOfWeather (@AllKindsWeather) November 27, 2016
Kasey Hill’s new frame of mind is helping his team on the court, and his numbers in the box scores. This season, Hill has raised his free throw percentage over 20 points this season. From 53 percent last year, to 76 percent so far on the season. Hill has also improved facilitating his teammates raising his assist totals back to around four a game, a mark he hasn’t been above since his sophomore season.
Looking Ahead
The Gators play the UNF Ospreys tonight at 7 p.m. in Jacksonville. The last meeting between these two teams came last year in a 97-68 Gator victory in the first round of the NIT tournament. The Gators enjoyed a great shooting night from the floor against the Ospreys last year hitting 16 three pointers. Hill added 14 points on the night along with five steals.
The Gators know they cannot count on the same shooting performance again to beat the Ospreys. The defensive side will be key for the Gators as they try to keep the three-point shooting of the Ospreys to a minimum.
Kasey Hill has emerged as a leader for this Gator team, and he looks to keep his string of good performances going as the Gators travel to Jacksonville tonight.
