Florida’s post play has arguably been its biggest weakness this season.
With the exception of junior forward Jennifer George, the Gators’ forwards and centers have been inconsistent and underwhelming, statistically speaking.
Part of Florida’s problem down low is a lack of depth.
UF has just three forwards and one center on their active roster, not including redshirted center Viktorija Dimaite.
However, the frontcourt will be even thinner going into next season.
The only returning post players who have logged significant playing time this season are George and redshirt sophomore Lily Svete, whose offensive game is perimeter-based.
“Since [Dimaite]’s gotten completely healthy, she has made a really great impression on us during practice,” coach Amanda Butler said. “Obviously, we know what we’re going to get from George and [Svete].”
With only George, Svete and Dimaite listed as forwards and centers on the official roster going into next season, the Gators will not have many experienced post players, but their top competition will.
No. 6 Kentucky, No. 7 Tennessee, No. 14 Texas A&M, and No. 17 Georgia will all field rosters with at least five 6-footers next season.
Barring late signees, Florida will only have four, with just two standing 6 foot 2 inches or taller. UGA will have six at least that tall, and UK, A&M and UT will all have three or more.
Butler has nabbed forward Christen Mercer and guards Sydney Moss, Chandler Cooper and January Miller in her latest recruiting class.
Moss and Cooper are ranked No. 50 and No. 51, respectively, in the 2012 ESPNU HoopGurlz 100 and boast four-star rankings along with Miller.
Mercer — a 6-foot, three-star prospect — is the Gators’ only post player signed.
However, experience at a specific position, or at the collegiate level, does not concern Butler in regards to who she will put out on the court next season.
“We also have in that freshman class Sydney Moss, who can play [power forward], Christen Mercer, who can play [power forward],” Butler said. “Anyone we add in late signing would have to work with what we already have.”
Butler puts a lot of trust in the forwards and centers she does recruit by not seeking out other top talent at those positions.
The 2012 ESPNU HoopGurlz 100 lists three Floridian 6-footers in Alexis Prince, Macy Keen and Hillary Fuller, but none of them considered signing with the Gators.
In her last three classes, Butler has signed eight high school prospects and only three of them have been forwards or centers. The highest-ranked recruit of the trio — Deaundra Young from the 2010 class — transferred before the start of this season.
In addition to her heavy recruitment of perimeter prep players, Butler also added two JUCO transfers prior to last season in Lanita Bartley and Deana Allen, both of whom are guards.
One potential cause for Butler’s affinity for guards may be Florida’s emphasis on the transition game.
The Gators have employed a three-guard lineup since Butler’s arrival and switched to a more up-tempo style at the beginning of last season.
However, Butler shot down that notion, remarking, “It just seems that way.”
Butler said that she is always recruiting and that Florida is currently evaluating some potential late signees to add to its 2012 haul.
Already guard-heavy, it’s possible Butler will be looking to add some much-needed size to the paint.
“We’re really excited about the class we’ve assembled,” Butler said. “We’re looking at someone that can complement those freshmen.”
Contact Joe Morgan at joemorgan@alligator.org.
