Today at approximately 6:30 ET, the Florida Gators officially ended their NCAA Tournament drought.
The Florida Gators will meet the BYU Cougars on Thursday, March 18 in Oklahoma City. They are a 10 seed, and BYU is a 7 seed.
After a rough day for bubble teams yesterday (Houston surprising UTEP, Mississippi State upsetting Vandy, many more) speculation was rapant that Dan Werner would play yet another game in front of his under-appreciative fans.
Instead, they are heading to OKC. Some more facts below...
The Gators Men's Basketball team beat Aubun last night 78-69 in the first round of the SEC tournament. Some say this puts them in the dance; here is one Gatorsfirst author's take on the matter. Either way, last night was a great win for the gators with many players stepping up to the challenge. The Gators played like it was a &must win& game, which it was. The first &must win& game of the season, despite many saying the last five regular season games were &must win&.
The big story for Auburn was Tay Waller going 0-6 with 0 points and 4 fouls. Waller averaged over 20 points a game in the final games of the regular season for Auburn, but could not connect against the Gators.
As I started earlier this season, throughout the offseason I'm going to give a quick rundown of the week's storylines, in case your not as OCD about Gators as those that get their up-to-the-second Gators news here. But even if you do, I hope I'll entertain you somewhat, give you some different perspectives, and throw in some other odds and ends to keep you interested.
Illinois State comes to town for a 2 game series on Tuesday and Wednesday. ISU is projected to finish 4th in the Missouri Valley Conference, behind Wichita State, Missouri State, and Creighton. The Redbirds are coming off an 0-3 performance at the Music City Invitational hosted by Vanderbilt. ISU lost 6-4 to Indiana, 9-2 to Vanderbilt, and 7-2 to Kent State. Despite those performances, ISU is averaging 9.6 runs a game in 9 games and has a very dangerous man in the leadoff spot.
There are now five teams that have punched their ticket to the NCAA tournament. East Tennessee St, Winthrop, Cornell, Murray St, and Northern Iowa have auto-bids from winning their conference. The major conferences start their tournaments this Wednesday and Thursday. As usual, lots of changes since my last update.
Remember, there are 65 spots available, comprised of 31 automatic bids to conference champions and 34 at-large bids. Here is a comprehensive look at the major leagues in Division-I (full rankings are current AP poll)...
From the results that follow, I predict that at this point 58 teams are safe, which includes 31 auto-bids and 27 at-large bids. Out of these 58 teams, 31 come from major conferences and 27 from minor ones. March 14th is approaching rapidly, so teams need to bunker down and play hard to make the field of 65.
This means that there are SEVEN remaining at-large bids that will go to the ''bubble'' teams that I have listed. If I were to choose from the remaining bubble teams that are listed below, my last seven in, in order, would be: Florida, St Marys, Illinois, San Diego St, Georgia Tech, Arizona State, St Louis. My first four out would be Mississippi, Mississippi St, Washington, Wichita St. My next four out would be Dayton, Rhode Island, UAB, Illinois St. (read below).
In a game dominated by pitching, Florida used two big innings to defeat Miami 7-1 in the series opener. Florida starter Alex Panteliodis went 5.2 innings and struck out a career high 8, while holding the Canes to 2 hits and 1 run. The sophomore had a no hitter going until the 5th and kept UM off balance with a combination of perfectly placed fastballs and solid off speed pitches.
The first set of conference tourneys started this past Tuesday. Most of the major conferences don't start until March 9-11. Therefore most teams have one game left to impress the committee before starting conference tournament play. Lots of changes since my last update.
Remember, there are 65 spots available, comprised of 31 automatic bids to conference champions and 34 at-large bids. Here is a comprehensive look at the major leagues in Division-I (full rankings are current AP poll)...
From the results that follow, I predict that at this point 61 teams are safe, which includes 31 auto-bids and 30 at-large bids. Out of these 61 teams, 30 come from major conferences and 31 from minor ones. March 14th is approaching rapidly, so teams need to bunker down and play hard to make the field of 65.
This means that there are FOUR remaining at-large bids that will go to the ''bubble'' teams that I have listed. If I were to choose from the remaining bubble teams that are listed below, my last four in, in order, would be: St Mary's, Georgia Tech, Notre Dame, Arizona State. My first four out would be St Louis, Wichita St, Mississippi St, and Rhode Island. My next four out would be San Diego St, Memphis, Mississippi, and Washington. Charlotte, Tulsa, and Illinois St are also on my bubble list (read below).
We lack certain skill sets. Again, is Billy Donovan's recruiting to blame? Is Dan Werner just a bum with no business being on anyone's team?
Then I really started thinking: which team would be better off in 2009-10, our present rotation (we run 8 deep) or a 9-man rotation consisting of guys that either left Florida early or aren't playing now for other reasons?
The Gators fell last night in a 60-64 loss to #13 ranked Vandy. Some were considering this a &must win& game for the Gators to make the NCAA tournament, but at least one GatorsFirst author still thinks the team has a chance whose article can been seen here. The game was the total opposite of last game against Vandy where Macklin fouled out with 2 points and 1 rebound, and the team shot almost 50 percent from the arc. This game Macklin had 21 points with 12 rebounds and the team went 2 for 13 from the arc. The Gators had many chances to win this game, but its hard to win when you go 37 percent from the field, 15 percent from 3 range, and 66 percent from the line.
The first set of conference tourneys start on Tuesday, March 2nd. Most of the major conferences don't start until March 9-11. Therefore teams have about 2 or 3 games left to impress the committee before starting conference tournament play, and basketball fans are running short on time for March Madness betting and completing their brackets with friends.
Remember, there are 65 spots available, comprised of 31 automatic bids to conference champions and 34 at-large bids. Here is a comprehensive look at the major leagues in Division-I (full rankings are current AP poll)...
From the results that follow, I predict that at this point 63 teams are safe, which includes 31 auto-bids and 32 at-large bids. Out of these 63 teams, 31 come from major conferences and 32 from minor ones. March 14th is approaching rapidly, so teams need to bunker down and play hard to make the field of 65.
This means that there are TWO remaining at-large bids that will go to the ''bubble'' teams that I have listed. If I were to choose from the remaining bubble teams that are listed below, my last two in, in order, would be: Mississippi St and St Mary's. My first four out would be Notre Dame, Arizona State, Charlotte, and Wichita St. And my next four out would be Connecticut, Rhode Island, San Diego St, and Memphis. Mississippi, Cincinnati, Minnesota, Washington, Marshall, Tulsa, Illinois St, New Mexico St, and Louisiana Tech are also on my bubble list (read below).
Let's get something straight: Tim Tebow will be drafted. Earlier than you think. Or Todd McShay thinks, for that matter. As a quarterback. And all that stands in the way of success is how he develops the NFL-ish skills he is lacking. Which can be said of almost every prospect, ever. A huge factor, which will help his NFL career be as successful as possible, is his initial destination.
The franchise which chooses Tebow will impact his long-term career by the expectations placed on him for 2010, the patience of the franchise with a young QB, and the quality of coaching he will receive.
So where will he go? How could he best adapt to the NFL game? Which franchises are a good mix of 'likely to draft Tebow', and 'could develop Tebow into an NFL star'?
Siena comes into town tonight as classic small northern school fodder for a big southern team to feast on. La Salle this weekend will be the exact same. Northern schools generally play around 40% of the games at home and 60% of their games on the road, including usually a lengthy road stand to start the season. Siena plays 21 of their first 23 on the road, while La Salle plays 16 of their first 17 on the road.
I was one of the few in attendance Wednesday as rain fell and the temperature plummeted at McKethan stadium to see Florida outlast Central Florida.Florida built an early 7-0 lead before holding on to win 7-6 over the Golden Knights.With drizzling rain that forced a 30 minute delay and fell well into the middle of the game, Florida was able to get just enough from the bullpen to hang on, as Kevin Chapman struck out Chris Duffy (LF) with one on in the 9th to end it and earn his first career save.Duffy was 3-4 at the time, and had hit a two run homer in the 8th to cut the Gator lead to 7-5.
If we got to pick, choosing Tennessee to blow out was a great choice (75-62). Especially with NCAA selection committee member Jeff Hathaway in the crowd. The first half was close with Tennessee hitting 6 threes and the Gators having to score the last 7 points to enter the locker room tied. The second half was all about the Gators where they hit four 3 point shots in two and a half minutes to jump ahead 70-50 with 3 minutes left. Overall, a lot of good came out of this game and the Gators tacked on another top 25 win.
The Gators welcome the University of Central Florida Golden Knights to Gainesville (barring rain) tonight. This game kicks off a five games in five days run to end the season starting home stand for Florida. UCF tonight, Sienna tomorrow, and a three game series with La Salle this weekend should definitely test UF’s deep pitching staff. The Knights are the most dangerous of the three and have won four of the eight games here since 1994.
Tim Tebow and 9 other Florida Gators (including 5 juniors) will be appearing at the 2010 NFL Combine, starting tomorrow. I've got all the info on which jersey number each will wear (Tim's going to be QB 19), and what the schedule for each group will be (when they'll be arriving in Indianapolis, when they'll be working out, etc.). I have a spreadsheet for the entire combine (courtesy friend of G1 Trey), but I've sorted it below to only show the Gators who will be appearing
With apologies to Bill Simmons: I have a rule in life. Anytime the Florida Gators have their first 2 NBA All-Stars in history, and the game is taking place less than 45 miles from my house, in the most ridiculous sports venue conceived by man, I'm going to attend, and bring you the details.
This happened. Sunday night, Feb. 14, while the rest of you pansies were celebrating Valentine's Day, I was at the Boss Hog Bowl (as Randy Galloway calls it) celebrating the NBA's opulence, as it generally heads toward losing $400 million. That's an interesting juxtaposition with the tab for the hosting venue (open only since May 2009) at $1.15 billion.
David Lee and Al Horford became the first Florida Gators to ever appear in an NBA All-Star Game. I was there.
I'll also run down the experience of going to a basketball game at Jerry Jones' shrine to himself, in case you want to head back for the 2011 Super Bowl or for the Florida Gators' 2014 Final Four appearance in the same building.
Now that we are a little more than half way through the 2009-10 college basketball season, we look at where we are right now, as teams are knee deep in their conference schedules. March madness is seven weeks away, and teams have a ton to play for. Remember, there are 65 spots available, comprised of 31 automatic bids to conference champions and 34 at-large bids. Here is a comprehensive look at the major leagues in Division-I (rankings are current AP poll)...
From the results that follow, I predict that at this point 64 teams are safe, which includes 31 auto-bids and 33 at-large bids. This means that there is ONE remaining bid that will go to one of the ''bubble'' teams that I have listed. Out of the 64 that I have found, 30 come from major conferences and 34 from minor ones. A lot can change over the next few weeks, as you've already seen since last week.
Florida sweeps the South Florida in dramatic fashion with a walk off hit in the bottom of the 10th. Mike Zunino (PH/C) knocked a two out single into right field to score Tyler Thompson(PH/LF) from 2B and win 7-6. This was only the final act of a game that got dramatic late. After USF scored 5 runs in the top of the 8th to take the lead, Florida scored 3 runs in the bottom of the 9th to force the extra frame.
Consistent scoring paced the Gators past the Bulls 9-1 Saturday, as UF scored in 5 of the 8 frames they batted in. The victory wins the series with USF, which hopefully by the end of the year will be a solid RPI opponent. The RPI counts series wins, so even if the Bulls win on Sunday, Florida will receive credit for winning the series. The offensive tide was barely kept in check at the start of the game, as Florida loaded the bases with the first three batters.
