A Go Joe Bruin Interview: Hail Florida Hail Talks UCLA Vs. Florida

Mar 23, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins mascot performs in the second half of a men

In preparing for the UCLA Bruin‘s biggest game of the year against the Florida Gators, both fan bases want to find out as much information about the other as possible. Bruin fans know about the Bruins, but what do Bruin fans really know about the Gators?

Brett Kaplan, the Editor of Hail Florida Hail, was nice enough to join us for a quick Q&A about this recent rivalry, one that has Florida up on UCLA 3-0 in the NCAA Tournament since 2006. We ask him a few questions about Florida and their season-long dominance and what to expect against the Bruins. It was great of him to join us and if you can, give them a look, especially with the Hail Florida Hail Q&A Go Joe Bruin did with them.

Mike: Why is Florida the #1 overall seed in the NCAA tournament?

Brett: The Gators are #1 overall because they dominated this season. They were the best team in the nation and their record and accomplishments prove that. Florida played a tough non-conference schedule with Wisconsin, Kansas, UConn, and Memphis all on the slate. They also swept the SEC, going 21-0 versus conference foes. That includes a three-game sweep of Sweet 16 companions, the Kentucky Wildcats (who just beat the previous unbeaten Wichita State) and Tennessee Volunteers. Their only two losses this season came when they weren’t at full strength. Scottie Wilbekin missed the Wisconsin game and the last three minutes of the UConn loss. Kasey Hill was also out of the game against the Huskies. Both games were played on the opposing team’s home court.

Mike: What is it that Florida can do better than anyone else in the country?

Brett: Florida can play like a team better than anyone else in the nation. They are all unselfish on the court and that reflects in the win-loss column. The Gators play smothering full-court defense and spread the ball around on offense. They were rarely caught out of position on defense, even with the full court press. And on offense, Florida had four players averaging double digits in points, and one more not far off. It helps they have three players coming off the bench that would start for pretty much any other team in the nation (Dorian Finney-Smith, Kasey Hill, and Chris Walker).

Mike: Which Florida players are your Han Solo, Luke Skywalker and Chewbacca and why?

Brett: You’re really making me think. This is a tough one…

Han Solo would be Patric Young. Young is a leader on the team and one of the most respected Gators on the floor. His physical prowess is enough to make opposing players avoid him and he’s as strong and hard as carbonite. He’s an all around great player who contributes on offense and defense for the greater good of the team. The only thing that makes me hesitate is his personality. He’s definitely not cocky.

Luke Skywalker…Well, we do have a player nicknamed “SkyWalker”, but I won’t go with Chris Walker because he hasn’t played that much all season. Hands down, this honor goes to Scottie Wilbekin. Wilbekin is the glue that keeps the team together. He’s the captain of the ship and has worked extremely hard to get where’s he’s at. Scottie’s the on-ball defender on the team and his offense is what carries the Gators to another level.

Will Yeguete is Chewbacca. First off, he’s from France, so he’s hard to understand. But it’s the little things he does to help the team out. He doesn’t score a lot of points, but he defends his butt off and makes hustle plays. Yeguete isn’t the star player on Florida, but he’s a great sidekick. Young and Yeguete are great friends on and off the court, so naturally Young is to Solo as Yeguete is to Chewbacca. Plus that mohawk gives him the best hair on the team…kinda like Chewbacca.

Mike: Florida had two great teams in ’06 and ’07. Is this year’s team better, worse or on par with those teams? Who would win in a straight up battle?

Brett: I’ve been contemplating this for a few months now. The talent level on those national championship teams was higher, but this team is deeper. No disrespect to Taurean Green, but Scottie Wilbekin is a better point guard. He’s one of the best defenders and has a knack for hitting clutch shots. At shooting guard, Michael Frazier II and Lee Humphrey are basically a push. Both hit threes at a steady clip. The battle between Corey Brewer and Casey Prather is a tough one. Prather reminds me of Brewer, but I think Brewer had more range shooting and was a tad better on defense. Will Yeguete and Al Horford are two of my favorite Gators all-time, but I think Horford has the edge. Horford definitely had a better offensive game and was a rim protector for the ’06-’07 teams. Yeguete creates more steals, but Horford’s better all around. I’m not sure I can pick between Joakim Noah and Patric Young. Both are high energy guys who play great defense and can make shots within six feet. I might put this one at a push, although Noah was a better ball-handler and a little quicker. This team’s bench is deeper. I think the bench and Billy Donovan’s experience and growth from those two national championship teams make the difference. In a straight up battle? The game would go forever into overtime. I can’t pick a winner.

Mike: What is the main concern about UCLA?

Brett: Probably Kyle Anderson. He’s developed into a pretty good player over the past couple of years and he creates a matchup nightmare for whoever guards him. Scottie Wilbekin is a decent sized point guard, but he gives up about seven inches to Anderson. It’ll be interesting to see who Florida puts on him. Wilbekin’s the best defender, but his size might warrant a different matchup. The Gators have done well with bigger guards, having to deal with Kentucky’s Harrison twins and James Young. UCLA’s length overall creates some issues on both sides of the ball. We’ll see how Florida handles it.

Mike: Prediction?

Brett: I’ve gotta go with Florida here. proven they have the mettle to win close games and that’s due to great defense. UCLA’s offense is high flying, but Florida has beaten high scoring teams this year. And in the end, defense wins championships. Florida 75, UCLA 67.

Thank you, Brett!