Kasey Hill and John Egbunu represented the Florida basketball team at the Southeastern Conference’s annual Media Day on Wednesday. Here are three takeaways from their appearance:
1. Florida’s shooting will improve
Last season, Florida was one of the worst shooting teams in the Southeastern Conference, ranking near the bottom in nearly every offensive category.
During SEC play, the Gators shot 42.0 percent from the field, 32.6 percent from beyond the arc and 64.3 percent from the free-throw line, ranking them ninth, 13th and 12th in the conference, respectively.
At the heart of Florida’s free-throw shooting woes are the struggles of senior guard Kasey Hill and redshirt junior center John Egbunu, who connected on only 53.8 percent and 53.2 percent of their free throws last season, respectively.
But there is hope.
“Well, we definitely added one guy who can really shoot it,” Hill said.
His name is Canyon Barry, a graduate transfer from the College of Charleston and the son of NBA Hall-of-Famer Rick Barry.
Last season, the younger Barry shot 33.3 percent from three and averaged 19.7 points per game.
The most exciting part of the 6-foot-6 guard’s game? His free-throw shooting.
Like his father, Barry, who shot 84.5 percent from the line last year, shoots his free throws underhanded.
“I think he’s gonna help us out a lot,” Hill said.
Hill also pointed out that many of the team’s players devoted extra time in the gym over the summer to work on their shooting.
“I think that’s where it started at,” he said, “and I think it’ll show this season.”
2. KeVaughn Allen: Silent but deadly
When KeVaughn Allen steps onto the court, you usually won’t hear him speak.
“If he’s got one deficiency, that’s it,” UF coach Mike White said of Allen.
But his game more than makes up for that.
In his freshman season, the 6-foot-2 guard started 34 of 36 games and averaged 11.6 points per game, knocked down 51 three pointers and converted 84.6 percent of his free throws.
And this year promises to be even better for him.
“He’s got a lot of positives,” White said of Allen. “He’s got incredible feet. He’s got a great body and build for his position. He’s got tremendous hands and length. (And) he’s an underrated defender.”
White also said that he is challenging Allen to be a more active defensive rebounder, something that will translate directly into Florida’s fast-break offense.
“When he can start the break and he’s in the open floor, that’s a pretty good play for us,” coach White said. “He’s a really good player.”
3. White, players not worried about road-heavy schedule
The Gators will open up the 2016-17 season with 11-straight road games.
The O’Connell Center — following a $64.5 million renovation that began in March — won’t be ready for action until Florida’s Dec. 21 game against Little Rock.
As a result, the Gators will play their home games at satellite locations in Jacksonville, Lakeland and Tampa.
But that doesn’t bother UF’s second-year head coach.
“We’re not even talking about it,” White said.
He added that he’s more concerned with other more pressing issues, such as how his team is going to score and play defense.
“Let’s make a free throw. Let’s make an open three. Let’s block out. Close out with high hands. Run shooters off the line,” he said. “We’re just trying to get better right now.”
And despite the amount of time the Gators will be spending away from Gainesville, White said it will all be worth it in the end when his team gets to play in a brand new arena.
“It’s gonna be a beautiful arena,” he said. “I’m really happy for our athletes and for our fans.”
A video posted to SECsports.com contributed to this report.
Contact Ray Boone at rboone@alligator.org and follow him on Twitter @rboone1994.
Florida's Kasey Hill, left, drives to the basket against Arkansas's Trey Thompson, right, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the Southeastern Conference tournament in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, March 10, 2016. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)Florida won 68-61.
