Mike Rosario in for bigger role with Gators

Senior guard Mike Rosario was the leading scorer off the bench for the Florida Gators during the 2011-12 season with 6.6 points per game, but he'll enter the 2012-13 season as a starter. He'll have the tough task of replacing Bradley Beal, a point guard that left the Gators after just one season to enter the NBA Draft where he was selected third overall by the Washington Wizards.

Among the difficulties that will have to be overcome by Rosario is a recent history of injuries, including both back and hip problems that cost him games during his junior season; however, Rosario told Kevin Brockway of the Gainesville Sun that he isn't concerned about that:

"I'm 110-percent healthy," Rosario said. "It feels great because when you're healthy, the work shows on the court."

Last season was Rosario's first with the Gators after he transfered to UF from Rutgers following the 2009-10 season and sat out the following season as a redshirt. While at Rutgers, Rosario flashed scoring ability, averaging 16.7 points per game as a sophomore, the ninth highest mark in the Big East.

The Gators will need that type of production from the senior if they are to succeed without Beal.