After winning 18 consecutive postseason games, the Florida Gators (21-10) will need to extend their streak to 22, to ensure themselves a chance of defending their two back to back championships.
With their fourth place finish in the SEC East, the Gators will open tourney play against the Alabama Crimson Tide on Thursday instead of their customary Friday start.
The young Gators got off to a great start this year but lack of experience led to a .500 SEC record with only one win of importance (vs. Vanderbilt at home). The Gators suffered through bouts of inconsistency for the whole season and that plus a weak schedule has left them outside the NCAA's according to the experts.
Nick Calathes has shined as the freshman floor general of this team that seems destined for bigger things in the future and Marresse Speights has been a adequate fill-in on the block. Robert Hodge has guided the team nicely and will get more help next season.
The Gators will move past Alabama and will give Mississippi State a challenge in the quarterfinals. Without some magic, the Gators will be on the wall watching The Big Dance.
5 comments Last one added about 1 year ago — Leave a Comment
Tim Pollock about 1 year ago
Walter Hodge, bro, not Robert.
Hate to say it, but Bama is going to beat FL this Thursday. The Gators just have no toughness inside. Too many skinny dudes who shoot threes. They will need serious help from freshman big men next year.
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Nic Gulas about 1 year ago
Tim, all those skinny dudes shooting threes have been a Tide weakness this season save for the game against Vandy last Sat. If the Tide can play like they did against Vandy, they will go deep in ATL just for satisfaction's sake, because they have no hopes but to really play bracket buster.
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Tim Pollock about 1 year ago
I hope they do go far. I'm all for taking out these so called "bubble teams." I seriously think a the top half of the Missouri Valley could fare better in the SEC than some of the current SEC teams.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
I couldn't agree with you more - the Gators will beat Bama and CAN beat Mississippi State (depending upon which Gator team shows up). I think, because the "pressure is off", we'll finally see a complete game instead of a first-half game. We know we lack the size under the basket and hopefully that will be remedied next season but Speights is a player to be reckoned with. When he's "on", he's good. For the most part, we have the talent but they're YOUNG. They're still learning. Donovan was correct in playing a softer schedule early. He isn't stupid. He knew the consequences but he also needed to know his players and their capabilities. Go Gators!!!
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Tim Pollock about 1 year ago
So much for the complete game from the Gators.
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