Florida guard Riley Kugel talks East Carolina matchup
Florida guard Riley Kugel talked to the media ahead of Thursday’s matchup with East Carolina and tackled everything from returning to the Lakeland area to his play on the court the season.
Kugel is third on the team in minutes (29.6) through nine games this season. He’s one of three Gators to start every game this year and is averaging 13.6 points per game.
After flirting with the NBA draft in the offseason, Kugel has stepped up as a team leader, but his offensive output hasn’t been as prolific as expected. Kugel ended the season on an eight-game run where he averaged more than 20 points per game, but he hasn’t quite hit his groove yet in 2023.
Still, Kugel has improved as a defender, facilitator and rebounder. His assists, rebounds and steals are up from last year.
Here is everything Kugel said ahead of Thursday’s game against East Carolina.
On returning to Lakeland (home of the FHSAA state championships)
I’m going to have a good amount (of family there). It just brings back times – state championships. It’ll be fun.
I played in three (state championships). I got two — one my freshmen year and one my junior year. I was supposed to have three, but we lost.
How much have you improved defensively?
I’d say I’ve improved a lot more just because I just want it more. Defense is really just if you’re willing to do it, then you can easily — I wouldn’t say easy, but I think my talents and abilities give me an easier way to defend people this year.
It’s fun (locking a guy up). When you’re doing that, it gives life to the team. Making stops can bring energy to the team and I know how important that is.
What was the message from coach Golden after the win over Merrimack?
Exactly what he said — I was playing too casual. I wouldn’t blame it on that, but my whole life, when we play someone not up to our level, I usually play down. That’s something I got to work on.
It’s just a mindset thing. Stay focused, stay confident, treat everybody the same way. Just don’t downplay anything.
On adjusting to different guards
I
wouldn’t say it’s too hard because we have a couple of players that can really get buckets when they want to. So, when it’s their time, when it’s their game, we’re going to keep feeding them, we’re going to keep feeding the hot hand.
Whoever the hot hand is that night, we’re just going to keep going to it. I mean, I would say it’s going pretty good.
Is winning more important to you than personal numbers?
That will always be my attitude, I always just want to win, so whatever we’ve got to do, to get the job done, so be it. I just want to win.
What is different about this group from last year's team?
That we want to win, like the whole team wants to win, you just have different vibes, different mindsets, from this year compared to last year, just a whole different culture we’re making and just being around it, it’s always fun.
I mean I would say all the people that have a part to this team, plays a role. I wouldn’t say it’s just one person, a lot of people are taking part of like, what do we want to be, and how we want to win so I would say a lot of people have different roles and it’s not just one person.
I can see us being a really good team. March Madness run type of team and hopefully we can go to the national championship.
On turning the ball over more this year
I would say I’m just finding my groove. I haven’t really been in a basketball state, I mean I haven’t been in myself state, I usually am. So I would say I’m just trying to find my groove and I don’t know, there are going to be times when it comes, but like you said more turnovers, but it’s definitely just learning and it’s going to be way better.
No, it’s just change, my whole life I’m not used to change so it’s just another change in my life.
Read more
Game Preview: Gators face East Carolina Pirates in Florida Tip-Off
Here’s what Todd Golden said ahead of Thursday’s East Carolina game
Florida basketball stands pat in ESPN’s bracketology update
Florida moves into ESPN BPI top 25 after beating Richmond
Florida basketball facilities set to undergo renovation
Zero votes for Todd Golden and Florida basketball in latest AP Poll
Florida hoops still voteless in Week 6 USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll
Florida basketball strongly favored over East Carolina by ESPN’s BPI
Gators move up in NET rankings after win over Richmond Spiders
Follow
Follow us @GatorsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
