Tide rolls Gators out of SEC, NCAA

Sure, the numbers bothered Billy Donovan . The man has competed all his life, so peeking at a Georgia Dome scoreboard and seeing deficits of 14-0, 30-5 and 42-14 irritated Florida's basketball coach.

[ocala hotbed]

chumps......chomp?

[Gator Scum]

Blame it all on the players Billy.

[it all comes around]

Boy, it is amazing how long the climb to the top of the mountain can take and how quickly you can descend. Time to rebuild. See ya in 20 or 30 years!

[Gatorfan]

The young Gators did a good job this year. No one expected 21 wins from the Freshmen and Sophmores. Keep up the good work Gators. Don't worry about the sad people who are jealous of our success. GO GATORS!!!!

[Timothy]

This happens to all great teams. So what? That's why there's next year's season.

[Gatorfan]

These young players sound like the (losing) Gators of the Norm Sloan era. When the going gets tough...they go shopping. Remember the national championship team was a young team too (especially the first year). The difference is attitude. Same coach - same scedule - different players.

[yeagators]

We lost 4 starters to the NBA..how good were we going to be this year anyway..Billy is frustrated, and rightfully so after that display versus 'Bama.....These youngsters need a good summer of travel ball (preferably on a European tour) where they can toughen up and get some game seasoning....We'll be fine next year and beyond....

[ex sf]

What's up with these Florida coaches, Urban blasted his seniors after the loss to Big Blue, and now Billy does the same to his young players.

[Max]

ex sf wrote:

What's up with these Florida coaches, Urban blasted his seniors after the loss to Big Blue, and now Billy does the same to his young players.

Whatever works to motivate the players. Back to back national titles in roundball with a national football championship in between would tell me these coaches know far more about it than you do.

[Max]

I'm a loyal Gator, but from my perspective this team reminds me very much of the Matt Walsh, Anthony Roberson, David Lee ear teams. Great on paper, but not so great on the court. They were McDonald's AAs that seemed to lack heart and desire. In reality, they lacked the skill, physicality, and atheticism to compete at the college championship level.

I hope Billy finds some super athletic Freshman this recruiting season.

[jeff]

When is the last time you saw a gator basketball player smile or act like he is enjoying himself. Enthusiasm comes from enjoying what you are doing..last years team got it from each other..they enjoyed each other not from their coach..agreed this looks like all of Billy's other teams..No fun to play all work. He does not build on the strength of his hgh school recruits he never changes his approach..Enthusiam comes from the coach or the players themselves ..it is the coaches job to build it..I really dislike Pearl at Tennessee but his guys are having fun and the enthusiasm comes from him..He does not take out a player everytime he makes a mistake...I enjoyed the last few years, but I think it will be along time before we njoy it again in basketball!!!

[Woodstrock]

Max wrote:

I'm a loyal Gator, but from my perspective this team reminds me very much of the Matt Walsh, Anthony Roberson, David Lee ear teams. Great on paper, but not so great on the court. They were McDonald's AAs that seemed to lack heart and desire. In reality, they lacked the skill, physicality, and atheticism to compete at the college championship level.
I hope Billy finds some super athletic Freshman this recruiting season.

Relax Max. This team was incredibly young, plain and simple. These guys had pretty much no veteran leadership, and all of them hit that 'freshman wall' that you hear so many coaches talk about. They'll be fine. Don't forget, last year's squad wasn't the only squad that Billy coached to a Final Four. They'll be back. And they'll add more talent to the mix for next year.

[AAAARRRRGGHH]

They just wanted to get out of town before those dangerous tornados last night.

[1998 Gator]

As far as the comments about Bruce Pearl...has he ever won a NC? Come on...Billy is not a players coach and I'm fine with that. He expects alot out of his players and that's why he's been so succesful. As far as this year...no defense. Which does make this team remniscent of the Walsh/Robertson era. Also to note is a lack of depth in the 4 and 5 positions this year...which I hear Billy is recruiting hard this year.

Last two years were special times with phenomenal players...that's why back to back NC squads are remembered so well in history.

[For Real]

Can you say NIT Championship ?

[Max]

jeff wrote:

When is the last time you saw a gator basketball player smile or act like he is enjoying himself. Enthusiasm comes from enjoying what you are doing..last years team got it from each other..they enjoyed each other not from their coach..agreed this looks like all of Billy's other teams..No fun to play all work. He does not build on the strength of his hgh school recruits he never changes his approach..Enthusiam comes from the coach or the players themselves ..it is the coaches job to build it..I really dislike Pearl at Tennessee but his guys are having fun and the enthusiasm comes from him..He does not take out a player everytime he makes a mistake...I enjoyed the last few years, but I think it will be along time before we njoy it again in basketball!!!

Well I respectfully disagree. I think smiling and enthusiasm come from winning, not from a "coach" or "each other"

The team that won two national titles did so because Billy continued to coach them on defense. Remember during the season on the first, they went into a funk and Billy said when they take guarding the perimeter seriously they'll be ok. And he was right.

I don't know about you, but I'd be frustrated with a happy, enthusiastic team that couldn't win.

[BullGator]

Some observations from a loyal fan: No defense!!! Inability to finish plays, especially inside. Not enough "beef" inside. Too much reliance on the 3 pt play. Inability to hold a lead. Poor passing and decision making, except for Calathes! A lot of young talent, but not playing well as a team. Billy can't stand mediocrity, so I expect a good recruiting year and a better, but not great team next year, as this team needs a lot of work! Will probably take 2 or 3 years of rebuilding. Patience grasshoppers!