This could be a long season. The Georgia Southern University Eagles rolled into the O’Connell Center with a suitcase full of fierce defense and held the Gators to 26 first half points. The Gators were 23-percent from the field in the first half and had an overall 3-point ratio of 2/16. The final score of 69-49 did not seem certain until very late in the game.

However, despite the frequency of terrible shots, several players showed bursts of passion. Vernon Macklin had a few particularly strong plays towards the end of the first half, and after each he would growl and beat his chest in a non-goofy Joakim Noah-esque display. These would undoubtedly incite the sparse crowd, but this game had the least amount of people I have ever seen in the O’dome. I know it was the second game against a traditionally weaker team on a weeknight, but the attendance and general crowd enthusiasm was pathetic. Is it because the football team plays FIU this weekend? Or are we that bad?

A considerable amount of students around me were trash-talking Dan Werner whenever he touched the ball. I’ve never been a huge Werner fan, but I took offense to the concept of giving a player the away-game treatment.

You could tell that this team won tonight’s game based solely on the elevated talent level of a higher program. Even while showing flashes of intensity, UF, at this point, often looks lost on the court. The Gators took few three point attempts in the first half. At one point during half time I thought to myself: This team is nothing like the team of old, living or dying by the three ball. But more disturbing, I next tried to conjure what the current style is, and could not devise it. They kind of throw the ball around and hope for holes. At this early point in the season, there are no leaders, there are no roles, but there is potential.

I suppose I will lighten the mood a bit, and discuss some of the positives I saw. Chandler Parsons had a double-double and looked quick with the ball. His free-throw is still terrible, but he adds some of the aforementioned passion and seemed to be the leader in the pre-game huddle.

Vernon Macklin plays strong and above the hoop. Alex Tyus has a gift for blocking shots which needs to expand as the season advances. Erving Walker and Kenny Boynton both look very sure with the ball, and both have explosive speed. I wouldn’t be surprised if Erik Murphy becomes a star during his time at UF. He may also transfer (we average two big time transfers a year).

In the title of this blog I referred to the preseason “Legends Classic” tournament as a phony. This is because upon further inspection of the layout of the tournament, the Gators would advance to the semi-finals to face Michigan St. in Atlantic City no matter the outcome. Imagine playing in a tournament where winning is mathematically impossible. Poor Georgia Southern. And Drexel.
 

I found it odd that during the pregame shoot-around, the video boards showed the complete Ohio St. at UF regular season game from 3 years ago. It was funny for two reasons: The players all made fun of Dan Werner when his name was called for doing something wrong. Also, the weight of those stellar seasons became even heavier than the two banners hanging above the court, and whether it is demeaning or motivating is questionable.

Seeing the footage of this game (they were ranked #3 and we were #4), did make me envious of the fact we had NBA talent at most positions, and well-defined roles. I spent the rest of the game hoping they would kick it to Lee Humphrey in the corner…

The strange thing about this season is the complete uncertainty surrounding the probable outcomes. Will Vernon Macklin and Kenny Boynton (and Erik Murphy?) live up to the hype? Could glorious Florida be a bottom dweller this year in the SEC?

The Gators next face Troy on Friday (11/20/09) Night at home at 7pm. The game can be seen on FSN-Florida. Troy has put up 100 points in its first two games, so either they were playing against crab-people or they can shoot the basketball.