Mike White is Looking Forward to 2016-17 Season

The Gators men’s basketball team left much to be desired at the end of the 2015-16 season. The Gators ended their season 21-13 overall and 9-9 in SEC play. The Gators lost Dorian Finney-Smith who went undrafted in the recent NBA Draft, but was then invited to the Mavericks’ summer league. One player who could take the lead is senior Kasey Hill. Last season, Hill scored 18 points coming off of the bench in each of the SEC Tournament games. The Gators are currently without three of their other players due to surgery, but they are looking to come back by the time the season rolls around.

Another struggle the Gators are facing is something that is out of their control, the renovations of the O’Connell Center. The renovations not only affect the players on the court, but scheduling as well. The renovations will force the Gators to play at neutral locations until about late December. The Gators were 12-4 at home last season and 3-2 at neutral locations. This obstacle will provide an additional challenge to the season, but it is also an opportunity for the Gators.

On the court, head coach Mike White knows where the Gators need to improve. Two of the main areas that Florida struggled with was in 3-point accuracy and free throw percentage. Florida had a lower percentage in both of these areas than their opponents.

Going into next season, Mike White feels that the team and coaches are feeling more comfortable. The first scheduled game of the 2016-17 season is scheduled for November 11 against Belmont in Jacksonville.