All play and no rest made Will Yeguete a tired man.
From No. 7 Florida’s first game of 2014 against Richmond to Saturday’s contest against Arkansas, Yeguete and the Gators didn’t have a single day off as they had a full week of either practices or games.
“I thought he looked really exhausted,’’ coach Billy Donovan said on Yeguete’s performance against the Razorbacks. “He didn’t have any bounce, any legs.”
To get the senior forward back at full strength before Tuesday’s game against Georgia, Donovan decided to sit him out of Sunday’s practice and give him only half of his normal reps during Monday’s practice.
“I think that probably helped him physically some trying to get rejuvenated,” Donovan said.
From the opening tipoff of Tuesday night’s matchup, Yeguete showed more energy than he had all year. In the first 4:15 against the Bulldogs, the 6-foot-8 forward had already corralled two rebounds and scored the Gators’ first field goal.
In 28 minutes against Arkansas, Yeguete sunk only one of his three attempted shots.
“He was taking good shots, playing great defense, not doing anything he can’t do, taking care of the ball, just effecting the game and running the floor,’’ fellow senior Patric Young said. “Playing his style of play. He was really focused and locked in on that.”
Yeguete finished Tuesday’s game 5-of-6 shooting and 2 of 2 from the free-throw line for 12 points and six rebounds — his highest total since he grabbed seven boards against Richmond to kick off 2014.
The last time Yeguete had an offensive night like he did Tuesday was against Missouri on Jan. 19, 2013, when he went 6-of-7 shooting for 13 points. That was the last time he made at least five field goals and scored at least 12 points in a contest.
With Michael Frazier II stealing the show with a career-high 21 points and Patric Young coming in for a close second with 10 points and nine rebounds, Yeguete was the unsung hero against Georgia, according to Dorian Finney-Smith.
“I’m proud of him,” Finney-Smith said. “He played good. He just does all the little things. People don’t notice what Will does. He’s a great defender. He’s always talking. He’s a great leader. He will tell you what you need to hear. I love him for that.”
Prather questionable: Casey Prather (bone bruise in right knee) is closer to returning to the Gators.
The senior forward participated in non-contact work during Thursday’s practice and is listed as questionable for No. 7 Florida’s matchup at Auburn on Saturday at 4 p.m., the school announced Thursday.
He sat out the full-scrimmage sessions of practice Thursday and eventually went to the training room to receive more treatment.
Prather has missed UF’s past two games since waking up with swelling in his right knee the morning of Jan. 9. In 14 contests this year — all starts — Prather has averaged a team- and career-best 17 points on 62.4 shooting, along with 5.5 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game.
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Will Yeguete warms up before Florida’s 67-61 win against Kansas on Dec. 10, 2013, in the O’Connell Center. Yeguete has started all 16 of the Gators’ game this season, averaging 24.3 minutes and 4.9 rebounds per game. After a strong performance against Georgia on Tuesday, Yeguete and Florida will take on Auburn in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday.
