With the devastating news Gators basketball fans received Wednesday regarding starting center John Egbunu’s ACL tear, I want to talk about something positive for a change.
So, how 'bout that guy Chris Chiozza?
A couple of weeks ago, I wrote a column about what UF’s options were at point guard for next year after starting guard Kasey Hill graduates.
In the column, I praised the work of freshman Eric Hester, who went 5-for-5 from beyond the arc and scored 16 points in Florida’s 106-71 trouncing of LSU on Jan. 25. I also criticized Chiozza and his less-than-stellar play over the past two-and-a-half years, and I talked about how encouraging it'll be to finally have a point guard who can shoot the basketball.
I questioned a future with Chiozza running the show.
Now, I want to apologize.
Chiozza has made me eat those words as of late.
And it all started on Feb. 2 — the Missouri game.
Chiozza scored 12 points, dished out 10 assists and, at 6-feet (that’s being generous), snatched down 12 rebounds. It was the fourth triple-double in UF history.
“Chris was amazing,” UF coach Mike White said in a release. “Obviously, it was his best game as a Gator. He’s been a big X-factor for us.”
Since that game, the one they call “Cheese” hasn’t slowed down.
He’s only averaging six points, three rebounds and 3.8 assists per game this season, but over the last five games, Chiozza is averaging 10.2 points, six rebounds and 5.4 assists per game. He’s also scored in double digits in four out of the five games, including 15 points on 6-for-10 shooting in a 72-60 win at Georgia.
Even in his lone single-digit outing — a two-point performance against then-No. 8 Kentucky at home —Chiozza was still able to make an impact, totaling nine rebounds and nine assists in the upset victory. He was also tasked with defending the SEC’s leading scorer and former McDonald’s All-American Malik Monk for much of the game.
Monk scored 11 points on 14 shots.
“He’s a starter who’s coming off the bench,” White said of Chiozza ahead of the Georgia game. “For him to be rebounding the ball the way he’s rebounding it with his size shows you the toughness that he’s playing with, the tenacity that he’s playing with.
“He’s making really good decisions.”
I no longer doubt Florida’s future without Hill.
Chiozza’s recent play has cleared that up for me.
And if he continues to play with patience on offense and fervor on defense, I see no reason as to why the Gators won’t be even better in the year to come.
Ray Boone is a sports writer. His columns appear on Fridays. Contact him at rboone@alligator.org, and follow him on Twitter @rboone1994.
UF guard Chris Chiozza drives the lane during Florida's 93-54 win over Missouri on Feb. 2, 2017, in the O'Connell Center.
93-54
