Tyrese Samuel still confident in Gators frontcourt with freshmen bigs

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The Gators face Colorado in the first round of the NCAA Tournament after the Buffaloes’ 60-53 win over Boise State on Wednesday. Florida (24-11) will take on the Buffs (25-10) on Friday at 4:30 p.m.

Florida has gotten 11 double-doubles from AP second-team All-SEC forward Tyrese Samuel, the most by a Gator since Al Horford’s 16 in 2006-07. However, UF will be without 7-footer Micah Handlogten (leg), whose offensive rebounding percentage of 17.8 ranks fifth in the nation.

SEC All-Freshman big man Alex Condon leads the league’s freshmen in rebounding (6.3) and blocked shots (43). Condon will make his first career start against Colorado, and the Gators will also give more minutes to true freshman forward Thomas Haugh.

Here’s everything said about the Big Dance, the loss of Handlogten and more.

Tyrese Samuel Q&A

On how Micah Handlogten is doing:

Samuel: “He said he was doing really well, he’s in good spirits, that’s all you could really ask for. What happened to him was kind of tragic, but, as long as he’s in good spirits and he’s happy for us and he wants us to do well in the tournament. That’s all we can really ask for.”

On the emotional lift of having him in Indy:

Samuel: “It’s going to be great to see him, we haven’t seen him since what happened, the last thing we did to him was touch the stretcher make sure he’s alright, so seeing him is going to be good, because he always brings positive energy, he’s a happy guy, funny guy, it’s going to be exciting to see him.”

On Micah’s injury shortening frontcourt rotation:

Samuel: “It might impact a little bit, but we’ve just got to go out there and play smart play without fouling, know when to give a good foul and when not to, but I think we’re ready, we have the depth, and it showed all season long. One man went down but we’ve still got plenty left with Tommy (Haugh), (Alex) Condon, maybe even Shimmy (Aleks Szymczyk) might get in there. I think we’ll be alright.”

On the team having so many X-factors:

Samuel: “I think it’s us just believing in them, and knowing that coach is giving them the confidence, like it’s OK, you are going to make mistakes, this game of basketball is played really fast, so mistakes are going to happen, you know, as long as they have the right confidence going into the game, I feel like, they usually excel when they feel comfortable and they are playing confident with poise. I think things usually go their way when they play like that, so, yeah, I think the way the team is made up, we have a really deep team, anyone can kind of play at any moment so just someone having a big game, it just happens, you never know, you just be ready when your number is called.”

On the team having a circle the wagon mentality:

Samuel: “Yeah most definitely, and we kind of had no choice because now we are in March Madness so know we’re playing one game to lose, one and go home, so, we’re ready to take it up a notch, we’re ready to do whatever we’ve got to do, Will (Richard) has got to play a little bit of the four and I’ve got to play the five, that doesn’t really matter. We’ve just got to do what it takes to win,”

On if the run in Nashville can be a catalyst for the tourney:

Samuel: “It would be really big because we just clicked at the right time in Nashville, I think a lot of people didn’t expect us to make that big a run that we just had, but I think that going into March Madness I just feel like, it will just give us a lot of confidence, that we are a good team, we kept our poise and then we can kind of play with just anyone, and I think a lot of teams in March Madness are going to fear us because of those type teams.”

On this being his third time in the NCAA Tournament:

Samuel: “It’s definitely going to be a physical game, it’s going to be physical, we’ve just got to be out there and play calm, you know there’s going to be different refs from different leagues so it’s not going to be the same type of calling as SEC refs so just kind of play with poise and expect the unexpected.”

On if he has extra motivation to get his first tourney win:

Samuel: “To get my first win in March Madness would mean everything I lost in the first round before, just to get past that that little hump and get a little extra confidence going into the second game.”

On Todd Golden getting a two-year contract extension:

Samuel: “From when I first came here, Coach Golden, he always says we’re trying to get Florida back where it once was and he preached that from the beginning of the year and I feel like we bought into that, trying to bring this legacy back to where it, and I feel like we’ve been practicing hard and we’ve been playing hard, and this is the result that came with it, he got his extension, congrats to him and I feel like as years go on, it’s just going to get better and better.”

On how important this weekend is to elevate the program:

Samuel: “It’s big, uh, I don’t know, when was the last time they were in March Madness here (3 years ago, Sweet 16 been a while). We most definitely have the team that’s capable of getting us back to the Sweet 16 and we’re just ready for anything you know, we’ve just been through something really tragic, but we’re in really good spirits right now, and to just win games in this March Madness coming up right now.”

On how he would describe Coach Golden if someone asked:

Samuel: “A guy with a lot of belief. The way he just believes in his players, the confidence that he gives. He always comes with a smile on his face, whether it’s a loss, you know, he always makes us feel like, it’s alright. Like, we’re good. So, that’s probably the best way I could describe him. Just giving people belief and confidence.”

On whether he’ll still get after guys:

Samuel: “Yeah, most definitely. Yeah, for sure. When the time comes, like, sometimes you need that sometimes. You need a little bit of negative, you know, just to kind of humble yourself a little bit. He most definitely tells you when that time comes around.”

On if he feels disrespected by the 7-seed:

Samuel: “Yeah, at first I was kind of shocked. But then you know, when you look at the brackets, like, it really doesn’t matter. As long as we make it, that’s really all that matters, for real.”

On the prep work for the NCAA Tournament:

Samuel: “Yeah, just staying sharp. You know, being in the gym, working on your craft, making sure that when the time comes, we’re ready when it comes to scouting. And also just like, being ready. Like, I remember last week before we were gonna play, it was either Georgia or Missouri. We kind of just split half and half of the scout, do a little bit of Missouri and do a little bit of Georgia. So, we’ll probably do a little bit of that coming up this week, because you never know. So just to make sure that we’re ready.”

On Golden’s message when the Gators were down 18 vs. Texas A&M:

Samuel: “He’s kind of just telling us to chip away. You know, we’ve just got to be a cover team, get more 50/50 balls, rebound and push in transition, and don’t let them set up their defense. That’s one of the main things that he was saying.”

On what it was like in the huddle when Denzel Aberdeen got it under 10:

Samuel: “That it’s time to win the game. Like, when ‘Zel was playing well, I feel like that gave everyone a boost of energy, just seeing him do so well. So, I feel like once he hit his little stretch of scoring and helping us score when the game was getting a little tough, I think that just gave us the confidence, just gave us that energy to come out with the win.”

On making up for Micah’s offensive rebounding production:

Samuel: “It’s gonna be really important. We’re down one guy that’s probably one the best offensive rebounders in the country. Now, we’ve got to just be more relentless of pursuing the ball on offense and defense, so, and that’s gonna help our team win if we progress.”

On keeping spirits high in the wake of Micah’s injury:

Samuel: “It’s been really important. You know, like right after the game, he’s like, ‘Micah’s doing fine. But, you know, it’s March. It’s time for some people to step up and play bigger roles.’ And he has the belief in us, so it’s like I said before, like Condo and Haugh, I know it’s gonna be a big challenge for them. But I know they’re ready because we prepare and practice for it.”

On how much it helps that UF has played without Micah:

Samuel: “It hurts a little bit because, you know, he’s a good rim protector and just having his presence there in the paint, and stuff like that helps us for sure. Because he’s great. 7-1, long arms and stuff like that. Just altering shots on the rim just helps us go out and transition and that’s where our bread and butter, is in transition. So, it’s gonna hurt a little bit, but we’ve still got great room protectors, especially like Condo, and Thomas. They just make the second-effort plays that me and Micah probably are not as good at making. But yeah, it hurts us a little bit. But we’ll be ready.”

On how he’s trying to help Handlogten as a leader:

Samuel: “Me personally, I haven’t been through any serious injuries, thankfully. But I was telling like, when it’s time to get back to, like, walking, just make sure you don’t cheat yourself. Just make sure you get right, get back to where you once were. Obviously, it’s gonna be hard. There’s gonna be days where it’s gonna be hard and days where it’s gonna be great. But you know, don’t cheat yourself and make sure you get back right to where you once were.”