Riley Kugel Presented with Opportunity to be Gators' No. 1 Offensive Weapon
Photo: Riley Kugel; Credit: Zach Goodall
Star center Colin Castleton is out for the year with a broken hand.
The first order of business for Todd Golden and Co. will be filling Castleton's spot in the rotation from a quantity standpoint. The second is how they will find offensive success without one of the players with the highest-usage rates — regardless of position or conference — in college basketball.
It will take a drastic tweak in how the offense operates.
The Gators' offensive system — implemented primarily by assistant Kevin Hovde — will likely become a guard/wing-heavy attack that looks to exploit opposing defenses with frequent ball movement, slashers from the perimeter and driving into the lane off the dribble.
It will move away from the inside-out approach that consists of heavy pick and roll at the top of the key that got Castleton free lanes to the basket and consistent block touches.
That opens the door for true freshman Riley Kugel to jump into the prominent role he is likely to assume in the 2023-24 season. Golden spoke to the continued progression of his first prized recruiting pull on Tuesday, noting his ability to overcome the freshman wall to produce valuable minutes for the Gators this season.
"He is what you hope happens with a really talented young player in a sense of had some good success early," he said. "Generally, younger guys are going to hit the wall at some point during their freshman year. I think that's pretty standard. But his response from that moment has been great.
"He's been one of our better defenders; I think now he's shooting 55% from 2, 40% from 3, and had another really good offensive game on Saturday [against Vanderbilt]. So, just really impressed and happy with his growth and the way he's just continuing to get better in SEC play."
His development illustrates star potential.
Riley Kugel during the Gators' upset victory over No. 2 Tennessee on Feb. 1.
Zach Goodall
Kugel has the capability to be the main threat in the retooled offense the rest of the way, while Will Richard, Myreon Jones and Kowacie Reeves Jr. serve as scoring complements.
Averaging 7.6 points on 44.9% from the floor per game this season, Kugel's flashed the dynamic offensive prowess that had multiple SEC programs vying for his services after he backed away from his Mississippi State pledge late in the 2022 cycle.
Showcasing the finesse to get to the rim with ease off the dribble, a smooth jumper and an ever-improving three-point shot, Kugel can attack opposing defenses from all three levels. But, more importantly, he can shot-create when given the ability to, an area Florida yearned for someone to step up even when Castleton was in the fold.
Kugel's started to grow comfortable doing so of late, averaging 15 points on 57.6% shooting in the past three contests.
When working off-ball, Kugel's allowed his athleticism to take over, exhibiting a high-flying ability to post multiple highlight-reel dunks as he sits on the receiving end of alley-oops, usually from Kyle Lofton.
Despite a sputtering start for the former highly regarded Dr. Phillip's (Orlando, Fla.) prospect to his career, which consisted of him notably struggling to finish at the rim, he's started to find his stride over the recent stretch of SEC play.
Gators wing Riley Kugel attacks the bucket in Florida's victory over Ole Miss.
Zach Goodall
That surge has resulted in added confidence in himself, he said following the Gators' 15-point victory over Ole Miss, in which he produced 12 points on 62.5% from the field.
"I'd say it's pretty high," Kugel said when asked about his confidence level. "Like, y'all saw in the first half of the season, it wasn't really there, but I just kept pushing, so my confidence is really high right now, and it's getting me to where I need to be."
That has shown in the way he carries himself on the floor.
His ascension reached a head when he was thrust into the starting lineup for an injury Alex Fudge, taking over at the three to allow Richard to slide down to the four given the limited frontcourt bodies available.
His impressive contributions resulted in him remaining in the starting lineup, where he is slated to finish the year, barring unforeseen changes.
Kugel's prowess on both ends of the floor has been a welcomed surprise to outsiders who are just growing acclimated to the elite-level talents of the two-guard/wing.
However, it hasn't come as a shock to those who have been around him since he arrived on campus in August, given the praise he garnered from teammates and coaches in the preseason despite missing the summer regimen as he finished his high school demands.
"I think Riley Kugel is going to have an amazing impact on this team," forward CJ Felder said in October. "He's a freshman, but he doesn't play like a freshman. He's a great guy, great player. He has athleticism like a kangaroo. It's just out of this world. It's something I haven't seen in a while, just the way he springs up like that. It's crazy.
"But, it's not just athleticism. He has skill, passing ability, he can shoot, it's a lot. I look forward to him having a major impact on this team."
Teammates and coaches anticipated Kugel's emergence as a significant piece of the puzzle in year one of the regime. Now, he has the potential to exceed expectations.
Riley Kugel makes an acrobatic finish by going up and under Vanderbilt big man Liam Roberts.
Zach Goodall
The talent Kugel presents, paired with his 6-foot-5, 207-pound frame and 40-plus inch vertical jump, strengthens the notion that he can be a fun, explosive weapon for the Gators in the future.
His recent surge in SEC play creates the idea that he can also be that now. Without Castleton, Kugel will need to accelerate the process to become that No. 1 adoring option for UF to make a potential push toward the tournament, as hopes to accomplish that preseason goal have quickly grown bleak as of late.
Kugel will get his first opportunity to attack the floor without the All-SEC-caliber big man for the first time on Saturday.
His presence will be sorely needed as the Gators face an Arkansas team looking to snap a two-game skid in Fayetteville, Ark. The outcome of the matchup will inevitably decide the fate of Florida's postseason aspirations.
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