After a shaky debut season with the Gators, Mike Rosario has finally given coach Billy Donovan a reason to cheer.
Against No. 22 Wisconsin and Alabama State in UF’s first two games of the season, the redshirt senior guard averaged 14.5 points, three rebounds and three assists. No. 10 Florida won both contests by an average margin of 33.5 points.
“Going into both of these games, my preparation and my concentration has been to the top,” Rosario said.
Before transferring to Florida, Rosario was Rutgers’ most dependable talent. In two seasons with the Scarlet Knights from 2008-10, he led the team with 16.4 points per game.
But Rosario disappointed last season, averaging only 6.6 points in 14.4 minutes per game. He missed six games in 2011-12 because of back, leg and hip injuries.
Among Gators who took at least 98 threes, his 33.7 shooting percentage from behind the arc was the worst on the squad.
Rosario had difficulty accepting that Florida didn’t need him to be the type of go-to scorer he was at Rutgers.
Rosario’s lack of intensity landed him in Donovan’s doghouse.
“Last year, he provided nothing for our team because he was never responsible, never accountable and wasn’t reliable,” Donovan said.
But during the preseason, Donovan saw an improvement in Rosario’s attitude and consistency.
“I love dealing with him because it’s complete confrontation and it’s chaotic,” Donovan said. “He finally knows you’re not getting your way. That totally, last year, sent him into a tailspin.”
With junior point guard Scottie Wilbekin suspended for undisclosed reasons, Rosario has logged more minutes at shooting guard. Before Wilbekin’s suspension, the 6-foot-3 Rosario was playing as an undersized small forward.
Rosario struggled in Florida’s exhibition against Nebraska-Kearney and in one half against Georgetown but turned the corner against the Hornets and the Badgers.
In Florida’s 74-56 victory against Wisconsin on Wednesday night, Rosario recorded 15 points, four rebounds, four assists and four turnovers.
He played 39 minutes against the Badgers, 14 more than in any contest last year.
“I did a great job crashing the boards and getting my teammates shots,” Rosario said. “When you’re out there having fun, you like to embrace it.”
Now more confident, Rosario will look to keep his momentum going when Florida (2-0) faces Middle Tennessee (2-0) on Sunday at 4 p.m. in the Tampa Bay Times Forum.
“He’s bought in and trying to do all the things I’m asking him to do,” Donovan said. “Unlike a year ago, when you corrected him and he had all the answers and the solutions to everything — the world, politics, what’s going on, all the solutions — right now he’s actually listening.”
Senior guard Mike Rosario (3) laughs at an official while senior forward Erik Murphy (33) looks away during Florida’s game against Georgetown in the Navy-Marine Corps Classic on Nov. 9 aboard the USS Bataan in Jacksonville.
