Florida basketball coach Todd Golden, sophomore guard Riley Kugel clear the air in meeting
Florida basketball coach Todd Golden said he met with slumping sophomore guard Riley Kugel on Thursday and expects him to play more and respond positively when the Florida Gators next take the court Saturday at home against Arkansas (4 p.m. ESPN).
Kugel appeared for just four minutes in a 103-85 loss at Ole Miss on Wednesday night.
"Riley and I were just not on the same page the day of the day of the game against Ole Miss," Golden said. "We met yesterday. I think we had a great conversation. I think we’re back on the same page. I expect him to play really well tomorrow, and that’s really the depth that I’m going to go into it.”
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As to whether it had building during the course of the season, Golden responded: "I wouldn’t say that at all. It happened a little bit the day of the game. We were not on the same page on game day. We made sure to get back on the same page yesterday. I expect him to play really well.”
The 6-foot-4, 206-pound Kugel was a named preseason first-team, All-SEC by coaches in the league, but has struggled to find consistency in a new backcourt that includes transfers Walter Clayton Jr. (Iona) and Zyon Pullin (UC-Riverside). He's shot just 38.1 percent from the floor and 26.7 percent from 3-point range on the season, averaging 11.8 points and 4.2 rebounds.
Clayton, who rooms with Kugel, said the sophomore has been putting too much pressure on himself.
"We need for him to be at his best for us to be at our best, keep going," Clayton said. "Sometimes things are a little tough, but you’ve just got to be able to fight through it."
Golden said Kugel, who has made 11 starts this season, will continue his role off the bench for Florida (10-5, 0-2 SEC). Kugel had a solid game as a reserve in UF's SEC opener against Kentucky, finishing with 15 points and two steals before fouling out with under a minute remaining.
"Us as teammates I think it’s our job to just keep him up mentally," Clayton said. "Just help him just keep going."
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Florida Gators basketball coach Todd Golden holds meeting with guard Riley Kugel
