After an inauspicious start to his college career, freshman center Patric Young has a second chance to make a first impression.
Young recorded just 10 points and five rebounds in 37 minutes of exhibition action against undersized opponents, but he’ll have an opportunity to make everyone forget those sub-par performances tonight when No. 9 Florida takes the floor for its season opener against UNC-Wilmington at 7.
The freshman expects to come out excited and ready to play after shaking all his nerves during the preseason.
“I’m pretty ready,” Young said. “I just feel like it’s time to play basketball.”
The 6-foot-9, 245-pound freshman was expected to bring a physical presence to the team, and through two exhibition games, he hasn’t disappointed.
Young has been a force in the paint in the early going, taking four charges and commanding double teams in rebounding situations.
“There were a few instances where they were doubling me and just probably beat me and had me boxed out pretty well,” Young said. “But that opened up a lot of opportunities for my other teammates.”
But not every aspect of Young’s game has been so positive, as the freshman has had issues with fouling and being too aggressive.
Although he says he fouled out just once in his senior year of high school, Young was forced to leave the team’s exhibition opener against Florida Tech after committing five fouls in 20 minutes.
“I was actually shocked we got 20 minutes out of him,” coach Billy Donovan joked after the game. “I thought he would’ve fouled out in 10.”
Donovan has commented numerous times throughout the preseason that Young’s unrivaled aggression has had a tendency to put him in foul trouble, although he is always sure to add that the freshman’s mentality is a desirable attribute overall.
Still, that aggression has caused Young to attempt to block shots he sometimes shouldn’t, which opens up offensive rebounding opportunities for his opponents.
“I have to learn to stay on my feet a little bit more,” Young said.
Another area of Young’s game that could use refinement is his offense.
The freshman, who averaged just 13 points per game in his senior year of high school, says he has already made massive improvements since joining the Gators.
“I’m doing a lot better offensively,” Young said. “I’ve slowed down. When I get the ball I just take my time a lot more, and it’s made a whole difference because I’m scoring pretty much every time and it’s opening up other opportunities for my teammates just by being a threat down low.”
Freshman guard Scottie Wilbekin is also expected to make his regular-season debut tonight. Wilbekin returned to practice on Tuesday after suffering a neck strain against Florida Tech on Oct. 28.
