While Chandler Parsons found nothing but futility in the starting lineup, he's thriving in his new role off the bench.
Parsons scored 15 points in No. 23 UF's (6-1) 73-58 win against Florida A&M (1-6) on Tuesday night in the O'Connell Center.
The sophomore had been averaging only 6 points a game and shooting 36 percent from the field until he came alive for 17 points against Missouri-Kansas City on Sunday.
After his second straight game scoring in double figures, it seems Parsons' move out of the starting lineup has helped him rediscover his offensive touch.
"I came off the bench all year last year, and coach decided to put me on the bench (again)," Parsons said. "Whatever it takes for our team to be successful, I'll do."
That's not to say he is entirely comfortable in the role.
"Who wouldn't rather start?" Parsons said.
As for who's starting, that's freshman point guard Erving Walker.
In his first game in the starting lineup, UF's smallest man made a big impression as he scored 13 points after replacing Allan Chaney in the rotation.
UF coach Billy Donovan said he wanted to take advantage of Walker's quickness against the undersized Rattlers.
Walker was coming off his best game of the season against Missouri-Kansas City, where he scored 13 points and dished out nine assists in relief of Nick Calathes.
"He (Walker) gave us a lot of speed," Calathes said.
On the other end, the Gators continued to struggle defensively.
Coming into the game, the Gators had given up an average of 67.3 points to their opponents. It's a defensive deficiency most apparent around the 3-point line, where UF has allowed opponents to shoot 36 percent this year.
"I don't think our team has played well at all (defensively)," Donovan said. "Just because you work hard and give great effort doesn't mean that you're committed to something. I would say that we need to find a way to get more guys committed."
Florida A&M, which had been shooting just 23 percent from 3-point range coming into the game, sunk 11 long balls and shot 46 percent against the Gators.
"I can't remember a time when we have given up 11 3-point shots in a game," Donovan said. "We had some guys really fall asleep out there."
The Rattlers were led by forward Lamar Twitty, who scorched the Gators for 20 points.
UF's two veteran leaders looked more like freshmen in what can only be described as one of the pair's worst games to date. Junior Dan Werner and senior Walter Hodge combined for only 6 points and racked up four fouls.
Frustrated with their play, Donovan sat the pair for most of the second half.
While Werner was in and out of the lineup, Hodge sat the bench for the final eight minutes of the game.
"Those two older guys could provide a lot more for our team," Donovan said.
Calathes led UF with 16 points, and the Gators had four players finish in double figures.
