Florida Gators thread

[nerrad]

last thing i heard was that florida sucks and is not on FSU's level of greatness

[azuquita8]

Originally Posted by nerrad

last thing i heard was that florida sucks and is not on FSU's level of greatness

ROTFLMAO. Ohhh, the delusional thinking of the nole.

Try these on for size:

Urban Meyer 3, Bobby Bowden 0. The Gator winning streak will continue - book it. And as shitty a coach as Ron Zook was, he managed to get a win in his last game over the noles before we ran him out of Gainesville.

An how about basketball? Florida has two National Championships; have the noles ever won that title? NO.

Judging by that, one can conclude that FSU SUCKS. Facts don't lie.

"Directions to Tallahassee: Go north till you smell it, west till you step in it."

GO GATORS!!!!!!

[azuquita8]

UF likely won't get NCAA invite

By KEVIN BROCKWAY
Sun sports writer
About six weeks ago, Florida players expected today to be merely a formality.
The young Gators would hear their names on the NCAA Tournament Selection show, capping a remarkable season in which they overcame the loss of five starters from back-to-back national championship teams.
But with four straight losses to cap a 3-8 stretch to close the season, Florida appears resigned to the fact that its string of nine straight NCAA Tournament appearances will end tonight.
"I think there are two ways you can look at it," Florida coach Billy Donovan said. "You could say, losing five starters, winning 21 games, who would have thought (it)? Or you could say when you lose four straight at the end of the season, you still have a long way to go."
Florida fell to 73 in the Ratings Percentage Index following its 80-69 loss to Alabama in the opening round of the Southeastern Conference tournament. Florida is 2-8 against the RPI 50, with home wins against Vanderbilt and Kentucky. That could change to 1-8 today depending on if Kentucky falls out of the top 50 following its SEC
Tournament quarterfinal loss to Georgia.
The Gators are 4-8 in their last 12 games, another measuring stick the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee evaluates when determining at-large bids. Florida also didn't get help from a soft non-conference schedule that dragged its overall strength of schedule to 88th.
Florida's best non-conference win was an 88-70 defeat of Temple (56 RPI) last Dec. 29 at a home-neutral site (BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise). The Gators lost at Ohio State and at home to Florida State in their only other major non-conference tests.
Asked if he felt a stronger non-conference schedule would have helped the team prepare for March, Donovan responded: "I don't know how many lessons we could have learned because it wasn't like we went into the league and our non-conference schedule gave us a bad start."
Florida started 5-1 in SEC play and banked on a winning record in the league providing enough for its tournament resume. But Florida fell to a combined 3-8 in February and March to drop to 8-9 in the league.
Around the country, Florida got help when bubble teams like Arizona State, Ohio State and Syracuse lost in opening-round conference tournament games. But with St. Joseph's upset of top-seed Xavier in the Atlantic 10 conference tournament, it appears the A-10 will get at least three tournament bids. Likewise, the West Coast Conference became a three-bid league when San Diego upset Gonzaga in the conference tournament final.
The 10-member tournament selection committee includes Southeastern Conference Commissioner Mike Slive, who will chair the committee next season. This season's chair is Tom O'Connor, the athletic director at George Mason University.
If Florida somehow gets the benefit of the doubt based on its history, it will continue an impressive string of success. The Gators are currently tied for sixth with Gonzaga and Texas for most current consecutive tournament appearances with nine. Arizona holds the longest current string with 23 straight appearances, followed by Kansas (18 straight), Kentucky (16), Duke (12) and Michigan State (10).
But it appears more likely that Florida will become the first defending national champion since Kansas in 1989 not to make the tournament.
"It's still hard to believe," Florida sophomore forward Jonathan Mitchell said. "We didn't expect this. It's like a bad dream."

[nerrad]

Originally Posted by azuquita8

ROTFLMAO. Ohhh, the delusional thinking of the nole.

Try these on for size:

Urban Meyer 3, Bobby Bowden 0. The Gator winning streak will continue - book it. And as shitty a coach as Ron Zook was, he managed to get a win in his last game over the noles before we ran him out of Gainesville.

An how about basketball? Florida has two National Championships; have the noles ever won that title? NO.

Judging by that, one can conclude that FSU SUCKS. Facts don't lie.

"Directions to Tallahassee: Go north till you smell it, west till you step in it."

GO GATORS!!!!!!

Bobby Bowden= one of the greatest coaches ever
Urban Meyer= Bum like one known as rex grossman.....

just kidding about the rex part, not about the urban meyer

[azuquita8]

Bobby Bowden= one of the greatest coaches ever
Urban Meyer= Bum like one known as rex grossman.....

Yet another tasty tidbit from the darkside - the brainwashed mind of the nole.

Bowden one of the greatest ever? What a joke. That old fart's been there for all these years and only won 2 national titles? Joe Paterno's a greater coach than Bowden. Knute Rockne and Bear Bryant were greater coaches than Bowden. Geez, Bowden doesn't even know half the names of his players (he probably knew DeCody Fagg's name, though! )

Urban Meyer's hardly a bum - I wouldn't call somebody who can turn a school's program around into a winner a bum. Meyer went undefeated in his last season at Utah, was Coach of the Year, came to Florida and cleaned up Zook's shit, won us a NC in his second year and coached a Heisman winner in his 3rd (Tim Tebow) - not to mention that we've had three top-10 recruiting classes in a row.

Meyer has put all his heart into making Florida a winner, which is more than I can say for Zook - you should call that loser a bum instead of Meyer. Meyer gets things done like he says he will and doesn't bullshit around - Zook blows it out both sides of his ass and makes excuses - and the day that bastard was fired was one of my happiest as a Gator fan.

[azuquita8]

UF opens NIT at the O-Dome

By KEVIN BROCKWAY
Sun sports writer
After missing the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 10 years, Florida will turn its focus to the National Invitation Tournament.
The Gators host San Diego State (20-12) in a first-round game Wednesday at 9 p.m. in a nationally televised game on ESPN2.
As a No. 2 seed in its bracket in the 32-team field, Florida is guaranteed at least two games at the O'Connell Center if it advances. If Florida wins, it will face the winner of Creighton and Rhode Island at home. Arizona State is the top seed in Florida's bracket.
The game Wednesday night will feature a pair of coaches who have won national championships. Florida coach Billy Donovan guided the Gators to back-to-back national titles in 2006 and 2007. San Diego State coach Steve Fisher led Michigan to the 1989 NCAA Championship over Seton Hall.
"We're extremely happy with the opportunity we have to continue our season in the NIT," Donovan said in a statement released Sunday night. "We look forward to continuing to develop and grow as a team."
As expected, Florida found out earlier Sunday night that it did not earn an at-large bid in the NCAA Tournament, ending a string of nine straight NCAA Tournament appearances. Florida (21-11) sealed its fate with an 80-69 loss to Alabama in the opening round of the Southeastern Conference Tournament, its fourth straight loss and eighth in its last 11 games, last Thursday.
Florida is the first defending national champion since Kansas in 1989 not to make the NCAA Tournament. The Jayhawks that year were ineligible because of probation.
In an ironic twist, Florida could face Ohio State in the NIT title game in Madison Square Garden in New York City if both win their next four games. Florida beat Ohio State in the national title game last season, but both rosters took a hit, losing a combined five underclassmen that were taken within the first nine picks of last June's NBA Draft.
As a result, Florida and Ohio State became the first finalists to both miss the NCAA Tournament since 1980, when Indiana State and Michigan State didn't qualify. Indiana State lost Larry Bird to the NBA from the previous year. Michigan State lost Magic Johnson.
Florida will appear in the NIT for the eighth time in program history and first time since 1998. That year, in Donovan's second season as coach, Florida lost to Georgetown 71-69 at the O'Connell Center.
Florida is 6-9 lifetime in NIT games. The Gators have never won an NIT Tournament, but reached the semifinals in New York City in 1986 and 1992. Florida played its first postseason game in school history in the NIT, losing to Temple 82-66 in 1969 at Madison Square Garden.

[azuquita8]

Billy D boots Gators

By KEVIN BROCKWAY
Sun sports writer
As the field of 65 was announced during the NCAA Tournament selection show Sunday night, Florida practiced at the auxiliary court on the second floor of the O'Connell Center.
It's one of the sites where Florida will remain practicing through the National Invitation Tournament. Florida coach Billy Donovan has made the school's $11 million practice facility off limits for workouts in an effort to motivate his team.
"I think probably in some respects the confetti is still falling down around them," Donovan said. "When you've had great, great success like we've had, I think it's very easy to become complacent and lose sight of how good things are around here, and have this attitude of well, I'm at Florida, this is what's going to happen."
Florida failed to reach the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1997-98, ending a string of nine straight tournament appearances. Instead, Florida will face San Diego State in a first-round NIT game Wednesday night at the O'Connell Center.
Florida players can change clothes at the facility, but have worked out over the weekend at the O'Connell Center and Florida Gym, where the Gators played home games until 1979, In addition, Florida players are not allowed to wear their UF gear around campus.
"Coach just wants to teach us a lesson, that it takes time to earn things," Florida freshman guard Nick Calathes said.

[azuquita8]

Donovan punishes team with removal of luxuries


By DANNY KLEIN , Alligator Staff Writer

Welcome to the doghouse.

In the hopes of finally getting his message through, UF coach Billy Donovan is done playing games.

"They've got a massage therapist that makes sure they're OK after games, they've got a private plane that they take to games, the meals that they eat — all of those things, these guys came here and went right to the penthouse," Donovan said.


Donovan has decided to ditch the high life and get back to basics. Among the changes, the team has been practicing at the O'Connell Center instead of its newly renovated practice facility. The team also has been forced to get rid of its practice jerseys.

This overhaul took place after UF's 80-69 loss to Alabama, when the team failed to show up for the first half.

The punishment, or change of pace, began right away. UF practiced on Friday and during Selection Sunday.

"It's not embarrassing. It's just something we have to overcome," guard Jai Lucas said. "We don't deserve to be in the penthouse."

Lucas said Donovan has hinted about this all season. It's likely Donovan thought he was unable to get through to his players and needed to act drastically, he said.

The Gators were selected to play in this year's National Invitational Tournament but are missing the Big Dance for the first time in a decade and are unable to defend their back-to-back national titles.

The Gators represent the first team since Kansas in 1988 to miss the NCAA Tournament after winning it all.

"This is his way of getting us motivated," Lucas said. "How do you (deserve this) after winning two national titles and not even making the tournament?"

Lucas said he's enjoying the treatment and expects to return to normalcy when the team starts living up to expectations.

"We're not like slaves or anything," Lucas said.

The fallout from the disappointing season is beginning to show. Donovan said he noticed a certain air about the young group before it ever took the court.

It appeared the group was punching its ticket a little prematurely.

"I think that probably, in some respects, the confetti is still falling down around them," Donovan said. "I would say that this group, when Oct. 15 started, would have said there is no way that we're not in the NCAA Tournament, and I just think that that's youthfulness."

The players didn't hide their disappointment. Lucas said this team can grow from the experience, but there's no question it will plague them for months to come.

"This is something that will never leave us," Lucas said. "This pain is unbearable."

Donovan spoke about his comments following UF's loss to Alabama, when in a post-game press conference he alluded to his worries about coaching this squad next season. During the conference he pointed out he wasn't sure putting a sophomore designation next to their names would make things any easier.

He said he felt misrepresented and backed up his players.

"For someone to take those words that I said and build it just around that, there were a lot of things that were missed, that were said before, that were said after," Donovan said. "When I made the comment that I am not looking forward to sophomores, it had nothing to do with coaching them. ... We have great kids with good families that are trying to do the right things."

[nerrad]

urban meyer sucks

FSU is ganna eat some gator tail this year,

[azuquita8]

Originally Posted by nerrad

urban meyer sucks

FSU is ganna eat some gator tail this year,

The fantasy world of the nole.

Bobby Bowden's the one who really sucks - he knows Urban Meyer owns him.

The only way fsu knows how to win is cheat - yeah, The Swindle in The Swamp. Bowden approved of the ACC crew before the game even started, and naturally the calls on the field went against UF. Even those who aren't Gator fans could see we got jobbed in 2003; it didn't take a rocket scientist to figure that one out.

How else could the Team Out West win? Getting more free shoes at Foot Locker? Getting deep markdowns at Dillards? Cheating on an online exam and not thinking you'll get caught? Gambling? Not going to classes for a month like Deion Sanders did?

Enjoy your probation, Nolies. You had it coming.
And make sure the old geezer stocks up on Depends!!!!!

IF YOU AIN'T A GATOR, YOU'RE GATOR BAIT!!!!!!!

[azuquita8]

Gators start spring practice today

By ROBBIE ANDREU
Sun sports writer
For months now, the most popular question fired at Florida football coach Urban Meyer has had to do with Emmanuel Moody, the much-talked about transfer from Southern Cal.
Could he be the dynamic tailback the Gators have been searching for the past three years?
"I don't know. I get asked that question constantly," Meyer said. "I hope so. I walk by him every day and I don't say hello to him. I just walk by and say, 'Boy, I hope you're really good. I hope you're really, really good.' Now, when he sees me coming, he'll say, 'I know, you hope I'm really good.'
"There's not a better person. He's extremely articulate. He's very smart, very religious. He wants to be a pastor one day. The substance is unbelievable. I hope he's really good."
It is a hope shared by Gators everywhere who are beginning to wonder if the tailback position is ever going to match the production of the other skill positions on a potent Florida offense.
DeShawn Wynn couldn't do it two years ago.
Kestahn Moore came close but didn't quite get there last year, and returns to try again.
The competition this spring also will include speedy sophomore Mon Williams, who is returning from a knee injury, kick return specialist Brandon James, who has the moves but may lack the size to be an every-down back, and redshirt freshman Chris Rainey, maybe the best breakaway threat at the position.
And, of course, there is Moody, who appears to have the credentials to fit the job description. He's big, he's strong, he's fast, he was a Parade All-American coming out of high school, and he was good enough to start four games as a true freshman at talent-laden USC two years ago before making the move to Gainesville.
It's easy to see why his debut is one of the most anticipated events of the spring.
"He's very athletic and he's one of the strongest backs I've ever been around," new running backs coach Kenny Carter said. "He's got a lot of things he brings to the table.
"You just don't start at Southern Cal and not be the real deal. I'm real excited to see the things that he'll be able to do."
Moody and the wide-open competition at tailback is one of the critical battles of the spring. The others are all on defense, on the line (especially at tackle) and in the secondary (especially at cornerback).
Tailback, defensive line and secondary are the areas where the Gators fell below expectations last season, according to Meyer. As fate would have it, UF has new assistant coaches in the areas of need — Carter, defensive line coach Dan McCarney and cornerbacks coach Vance Bedford.
"Those are the position groups that were inadequate by Florida standards last year," Meyer said. "We have young players there, but they are talented young players. All those (new) coaches have chores ahead of them."
Another important competition will take place at quarterback, where sophomore Cameron Newton and redshirt freshman John Brantley will decide who backs up Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow. Meyer said the Gators hope to play two quarterbacks next season, depending on whether Newton or Brantley are ready to handle the responsibility.

[azuquita8]

Harvey focus of UF's Pro Day

By ROBBIE ANDREU
Sun sports writer
Jacksonville Jaguars' defensive line coach Ted Monachino can put this on top of his scouting report on Derrick Harvey after working out the Florida defensive end at Pro Day on Tuesday: This kid can really hit.
Monachino knows from experience. In Harvey's very first drill, he made a spin move and slammed smack into Monachino, who was knocked off balance by the unexpected blow.
In this case, making a mistake and running into the coach may have been a good thing.
"It might have helped him," Monachino said. "I kind of like a guy like that."
There apparently are a lot of other things to like about Harvey as well.
After doing his running and numerous other drills at the NFL Combine last month, Harvey further impressed Monachino and other coaches and scouts at UF's annual Pro Day at Florida Field, deftly executing a series of agility and pass-rushing drills.
Several assistant coaches — and one head coach, Carolina's John Fox — came to Gainesville to specifically check out Harvey, who is projected as a top 15 pick in next month's draft.
"He's basically the guy I was looking at," Tampa Bay defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin said. "If you watched the Super Bowl, you can't have enough pass rushers, OK. The Giants kept rolling them in there. You can never have enough rush ends and cover corners.
"(Harvey) had a nice workout today, he really did. He's a nice young man and he works very hard. I can tell he's stayed in shape (since the Combine). He's in good shape."
Tampa Bay has the 20th pick in the draft, which means there's a good chance Harvey won't be around when the Bucs select.
Same goes for the Jaguars, who have a need at defensive end but don't pick until 26th. Regardless, Jacksonville sent Monachino and director of pro personnel James Harris to Gainesville to evaluate Harvey.
"The thing that stands out the most about Derrick might be the way he's made, the mental make-up of that kid," Monachino said. "He's a competitor. He's a snap-to-whistle, bottom-of-his-shoes-to-the-top-of-his-head gear kind of guy, and that jumps out at you.
"Another thing that jumps out is his limited experience as a football player. His arrow is going up in a big way. I think he's going to be a good player for a long, long time."
The coaches that probably spent the most time with Harvey on Tuesday were Fox, the only head coach in attendance, and Carolina defensive line coach Sal Sunseri. With the 13th pick, and a need at defensive end, the Panthers might be targeting Harvey.
After the workout, Fox declined to talk to the media, perhaps another indication where the Panthers might be leaning.
Harvey said Fox spoke at length with him Tuesday. Fox also had conversations with Harvey's mother, who was in attendance.
"It's always good when you see a head coach out here," Harvey said. "It means they're really interested, and they have the 13th pick. I was talking to him all day, and the defensive line coach (Sunseri)."
He had a different kind of meeting with Monachino, banging into the Jacksonville assistant.
"I hope I don't end up on YouTube because of that," Monachino said.
"I said, 'My bad,' and that was it," Harvey said. "He was laughing too."
Harvey was the one smiling after the workout. He said he's been hearing what everyone else has, that he is being projected as a likely top 15 pick.
"I'm getting excited now. I can't wait for the draft," he said. "I've always dreamed of playing pro football, and it's almost here."

[azuquita8]

Men's hoops still playing for pride

By KEVIN BROCKWAY
Sun sports writer
They've been kicked out of their practice facility, lambasted by their coach and had their passion questioned during a brutal winless March stretch.
So what does Florida have left to play tonight in its National Invitation Tournament opener against San Diego State?
Pride, perhaps?
"We put ourselves in this position," Florida freshman guard Jai Lucas said. "We know we're not in the NCAA Tournament. This is the tournament we're in. So we might as well make the best of it and go after it. I think we will."
Florida (21-11) comes into the meeting with the Aztecs on a four-game losing streak, its longest since losing five in a row during the 1997-98 season. Motivation will need to come from somewhere. A couple of weeks ago, Florida freshman Adam Allen referred to the NIT as the "tournament for losers."
"I understand how they feel because I think every player across the country at some point always winds up wanting to get into the NCAA Tournament," Florida coach Billy Donovan said. "I think at that time being asked that question, if they had their choice, I would have been disappointed if they had said 'well, I don’t care, as long as we get to have any post-season.' "
So will the Gators show up tonight?
"You really have to motivate yourself," Lucas said. "We're still playing for something, whether it's the NIT championship or NCAA championship. We still want to come out there and do our best no matter what it is."
For Florida, benefits of a deep tournament run would include increased practice time and a chance to find an identity to carry into next season. The Gators have been soft defensively and have lacked leadership, which has contributed to the current late-season meltdown.
"This is the path that's in front of us right now," Donovan said. "This is the path we have laid out in front of ourselves that we have to address in order to go forward and get where we want to be."
The Gators are the second seed in their bracket in the 32-team field. Seventh-seed San Diego State, 20-12, is coming off a loss to BYU in the semifinals of the Mountain West Conference tournament.
The Aztecs are coached by Steve Fisher, who guided Michigan to the 1989 NCAA championship. San Diego State is led by a pair of talented transfers. Forward Lorrenzo Wade, who left Louisville after his freshman season, leads the Aztecs in scoring (14.9 ppg) and assists (3.5 apg.) Ryan Amoroso, a 6-8, 257-pound center formerly of Marquette, is third on the team in scoring at 11.2 points per game.
If Florida wins, it will play at home Friday against the winner of Creighton and Rhode Island in the second round of the tournament. Florida is 6-9 lifetime in the NIT. The Gators have reached the tournament semifinals twice (1986, 1992), but have never won the tournament championship.
"We're playing for a championship," Florida freshman guard Nick Calathes said. "It's not what we wanted to play for, but we're going to play for a championship."

[nerrad]

if you aint a nole, go back into your hole....ok that was gay