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Gator Nation Sports Page Friday March 20 |
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Written by JB
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Friday, 20 March 2009 |
We at gatorsfirst.com work hard to bring our readers the latest in sports news from around the Gator Nation. We check all the news sites, regional and national, and do all the research for you, because we understand you're busy and don't want to be internet geeks like us. So look for the Gator Nation Sports Page, and stay current on the latest Gators sports news and sports opinions.
Before I go into the Gator-centric world, here's a list of 'college football coaches who must have good years' in 2009. I'm not sure if I agree with it yet. I do know, for sure, that the SEC is worth the hype. In fact, I would argue the SEC is underhyped, as some people are still asking illegitimate questions like this. I'd rather know thing like 'Mike Leach thinks he can teach Graham Harrell to run backwards'.
This is worth sticking before the jump... GO VOTE FOR THE O'DOME! EA Sports is using fan vote to decide the toughest venues for the new NCAA basketball game.
And, before you go any further, call your FSU friends and make fun of them for the fact their own President says they need to cheat to beat Florida.
Men's Basketball- NIT Edition
The Gators face Miami tonight in second round NIT action. NIT Fever- catch it! The Gators will stick with the new starting lineup, featuring Erving Walker as a starter, with Chandler Parsons coming off the bench.
Miami Head Coach Frank Haith compares Florida to Duke. We're screwed.
Florida reached the second round by beating JU convincingly on Wednesday. Why did Florida look so much better in this game than the last, oh, 12? The Florida Times-Union called the Gators 'energized'. I call them 'frontrunners'.
Walk-on Hudson Fricke even got into the action against the Dolphins.
The alligator had a feature on OPOTB, Erving Walker.
Heading into the NIT, questions surrounded Nick Calathes' recent play. Was he worn down? He certainly didn't look like it in the first game.
Of course, people were also saying Billy Donovan needs to step up his coaching. I've been there for the entire Donovan era. His message and the way his teams play- when they play well- hasn't changed too much. I think the problem is more that 'the players need to listen to Billy D's coaching'. Lay off the man, that's the most ridiculous headline I've seen.
Nick Calathes says 'For right now, I'm definitely coming back'. See below section 'Pro Gators' for more on his NBA future
A Q&A with first year assistant Shaka Smart. Florida assistant Rob Lanier recruited Miami guard Jack McClinton to Siena... now they are both at different schools and having a reunion. Assistant head coach Larry Shyatt has two sons with teams in the NCAA Tournament.
I don't normally link to 'subscriber only' articles, but I want to mention Larry Vettel's piece here. He proposes 'the worst thing to happen to Chandler Parsons this season was the 7 for 8 3's he hit against Vandy'. I appreciate 'outside the box' thinking and all, but this is overdoing it. I'm going to go out ona limb and say there were plenty of things that went worse, beginning with the mohawk. More on Parsons.
Women's Basketball- NCAA Tournament Edition
Give Amanda Butler credit for the way the Lady Gators are back in the NCAA Tournament.
Senior Marshae Dotson has been big for the Lady Gators.
Recruiting
Comparing two future Gators: Brandon Knight v Austin Rivers.
Total Sports Domination
This ranking of 'hoops and helmets' was heavily skewed toward basketball. How is Florida's showing in basketball this year worse than Kansas' year in football? NIT = Insight Bowl, right? And we won the title in football, while they are using only Kansas' press time #3 ranking for basketball. Sure doesn't seem like a difference between #11 and unranked, right?
#1 Softball swept another double-header Wednesday to run their winning streak to 18 consecutive games. Stacey Nelson was named SEC Pitcher of the week.
UF assistant Brian O'Neal was named National Men's Indoor Track assistant of the year.
#25 Baseball beat #17 FSU on a walk-off single Tuesday night, then beat UCF on Wednesday night, 7-3. Florida baseball hosts Tennessee this weekend.
Women's tennis player Joanna Mather was named SEC Women's freshman of the week.
Junior swimmer Gemma Spofforth finished 4th (setting a UF record time) in the 200 IM at the NCAAs- UF is in 11th after the first day.
Gynmast Alicia Goodwin was named to the SEC Community Service Team.
Football
Spring practice schedule. One major thing to watch: who steps in for Percy Harvin? Mike Pouncey is among those that will not participate. A blog about the Gators' (lack of) health.
A look behind the scenes at Urban Meyer's Academic Support program.
The new Heavener football complex made this St. Patty's Day list of 'best spent green in the SEC'. Tim Tebow's post-Ole Miss speech is posted outside the the complex.
Do Mark Richt and Urban Meyer have any 'heat' between them?
Could Torrey Davis make a comeback?
Bryan Thomas' career is over.
Pro Gators
Florida Football's Pro Day was Wednesday March 18. Cornelius Ingram looked sharp. Percy Harvin shined. Louis Murphy had a good day, as well, as the Gator receivers stole the show.
More Pro Day coverage. The Gators are confident entering the NFL Draft.
Percy Harvin worked out for the Dolphins, but he may not be a good fit. The Jaguars kept an eye on him.
What are Nick Calathes' pro prospects? ESPN analysts weigh in, saying Calathes will have a long, productive NBA career.
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Last Updated ( Friday, 03 April 2009 )
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