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Tennessee’s Torrent Of Threes Washes Gators Into NIT |
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Written by Ryan Collins
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Sunday, 01 March 2009 |
Well, to be fair, the University of Florida men’s basketball team could pull a miracle run through the SEC tournament and get an automatic bid to the NCAA tourney. But other than that, today’s 79-75 loss at home to the Tennessee Volunteers guaranteed a return trip to the dreaded NIT. On a sarcastic note, you have to think UF would be the favorite in the NIT due to the experience gained in last year’s run through the junior tournament.
This was the first loss at home on the season, and the game was dominated by Tennessee. The Vols scored with ease on Florida’s set-play defenses and capitalized on most Florida turnovers by burying a three-pointer. In both the first and second half, the Gators rallied back from a 16-point deficit, only to see the Vols once again stretch the lead. The end of the game was surprisingly close, and the lead was cut to 3 with 10 seconds left. Tennessee pulled out the victory by great free throw shooting and great defense in the waning seconds. Freshman G Erving Walker (OPOTB) had a 3 blocked with 37 seconds left, and Sophomore G Nick Calathes ran into an orange wall on a drive to the basket with 17 seconds left.
I like Erving Walker. I even named him official player of the blog. But lately Erving has been too active in the last minute of tight games. I know it is mainly due to Erving's free-throw abilities, but from what I have seen, Nick Calathes needs to have the ball in pressure situations. I am also not sure if Billy Donovan is calling for Walker to attempt the clutch shots, or if Walker is just feeling the urge for greatness. Billy Donovan, the dean of SEC coaches, should have a play in his book to get Calathes isolated for late game heroics.
Senior G Walter Hodge and Erving Walker both played 25 minutes. However, Hodge had 4 points and Walker had 16 points. Erving had 8 three-point attempts, which tied a season-high, and he converted on four of them. Nick Calathes had 20 points, but he only had two rebournds and no steals. Sophomore F Alex Tyus was 2-8 shooting and had 6 rebounds.
I thought Freshman C Kenny Kadji struggled in this game. He had one point and was 0-1 from the field, despite playing 14 minutes. He also had a few costly turnovers. Sophomore F Chandler Parsons played well and had 9 rebounds and was 3-5 from behind the arc.
As I mentioned, the Gators fell off the bubble. With a 101-ranked strength of schedule (SOS) and only 2 wins against RPI top-50 teams, the loss to UT was a golden opportunity squandered. Another late-season collapse with plentiful road worries. The Gators could also win the SEC tournament, or at least make the finals by knocking off an LSU or UT, but with this squad, I do not foresee any such scenario.
This Tuesday night the Gators travel to Starkville to take on the Mississippi State Bulldogs at 9pm. The Bulldogs had a great start to conference play, but have cooled-off as of late. Both teams have lost 5 of the last 8. Miss St. is number one in 3-pointers made per game, and the Gators are second. Be sure to watch for Miss St. C Jarvis Varnado to block a lot of shots. He leads the SEC in blocks by a margin of 60, and is second in rebounds. I know I am going to chuckle when he blocks an Erving Walker shot. I also believe the road worries will continue. Projection Miss St. 67 UF 63
Entertaining math fluke: UT shot 30-57 (or 52.6%) from the field. And they were 10-19 from behind the arc, also for 52.6%
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 12 March 2009 )
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Discuss (10 posts)
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Re:Tennessee’s Torrent Of Threes Washes Gators Into NIT
Mar 02 2009 14:01:53
Ryan Collins wrote:
QUOTE:
Billy Donovan, the dean of SEC coaches
Yep, I took a drink. It was my coffee this morning, but it's the thought that counts.
On Erving Walker: it's pretty clear he needs to be taking these shots at the end of games. Calathes, Parsons, and Co. have been screwing up these opportunities for 2 years. Walker is fearless, and a great competitor. I want him to continue his late game play.
Last year, the only thing that saved us from a collapse at home against UK (one of the close games I can remember right now) was Jai Lucas being able to hit his free throws with Calathes and Co. missed.
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#2172 |
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Re:Tennessee’s Torrent Of Threes Washes Gators Into NIT
Mar 02 2009 15:42:12
I'm really looking forward to seeing how the tourney being in Tampa affects us. There is a chance that the "hometown" feel will carry us in some games, probably resulting in a semi-finals or finals appearance. I think if we defeat both MSU and Kentucky, plus make the semis or finals, we would have to be considered a tounament team.
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#2174 |
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Re:Tennessee’s Torrent Of Threes Washes Gators Into NIT
Mar 02 2009 16:16:29
maverick wrote:
QUOTE:
I'm really looking forward to seeing how the tourney being in Tampa affects us. There is a chance that the "hometown" feel will carry us in some games, probably resulting in a semi-finals or finals appearance. I think if we defeat both MSU and Kentucky, plus make the semis or finals, we would have to be considered a tounament team.
I'm not sure making the conference semifinals is enough. That would be one throw away win (over West #5/6) and one good win (over West #1/2).... we will be the #3 or 4 seed in the SEC east. would winning 2 games, or splitting, with Mississippi State really count for that much? If we win our last two games, we would probably be the 3 seed, meaning we'd draw Mississippi State again. It might be better for us to get another crack at LSU? I have no idea. So instead I said we need to win both games and make a run to the conference finals.
If you need a bracket to figure out when you want to go to Tampa... click here.
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#2175 |
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Tennessee’s Torrent Of Threes Washes Gators Into NIT
Mar 03 2009 00:50:47
i needed something to hold me over until spring practice started. something stress free and easy going. i should have know better than to watch these gators. no athleticism, poor ball handling, and the worst shots. ever. home court advantage in tampa?!? who are we kidding! what really sent me over the edge sun. was calthese getting his pocket picked by their center. sheesh. its painful to watch. i think i need to start a regiment of aspirin to combat my rising blood pressure. the uk game might kill me.
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#2177 |
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Tennessee’s Torrent Of Threes Washes Gators Into NIT
Mar 03 2009 02:36:03
The Mississippi State game is on Wednesday at 8pm.
As much as I like Walker, I agree to get the ball in someone else's hands during cluth time. I don't know if calathes is the right option because he has struggled during many close games whether its free throws or last second shots. That said, I can't think of a better option.
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#2178 |
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Re:Tennessee’s Torrent Of Threes Washes Gators Int
Mar 03 2009 02:38:10
Keep hope alive. We got way too spoiled by the two national titles. There is some talent hidden under this late season collapse, next year will be the true test of the " '07's". But for now just hope we don't get embarrassed in the SEC tourney again.
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#2179 |
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Tennessee’s Torrent Of Threes Washes Gators Into NIT
Mar 03 2009 17:05:44
We,, You better hope you don't have to play UT again. We own ya'll...lol
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#2188 |
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Re:Tennessee’s Torrent Of Threes Washes Gators Int
Mar 03 2009 17:09:51
ryco1234 wrote:
QUOTE:
Keep hope alive. We got way too spoiled by the two national titles. There is some talent hidden under this late season collapse, next year will be the true test of the " '07's". But for now just hope we don't get embarrassed in the SEC tourney again.
I agree next year could be special.
However, I disagree that we are spoiled by two national titles. Jeremy Foley wants every sport to make the NCAA tournament every year, as he's obsessed with the all-sports trophies. He canned the baseball coach 2 years after making the College World Series final. I'm certainly not suggesting that similar happen to Billy D, as that is unthinkable, but trying to say where the bar is set.
Now, Billy D built this program to heights we never thought it would go. And if the bar has been set to make the tournament every year, he set it there. One NIT berth every now and then is no big deal, but in a conference with zero or one ranked team for most of the season, we need to be a tourney lock.
Click that link above. Are you telling me this is one of his 3 worst teams in Gainesville? The two worst being his first squad and last year's? I think we certainly have more talent, but the results are not there. And I actually blame the players a lot. And say that our personnel puts us behind the eight ball a little- which may have had something to do with losing our top 6 all at once, and then the Magic thing must have hurt recruiting in some way.
With the frontcourt youth getting older, Macklin being eligible, and Boynton coming in, I am very excited for next year.
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#2189 |
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Re:Tennessee’s Torrent Of Threes Washes Gators Int
Mar 03 2009 17:09:57
Well in basketball.....
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#2190 |
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Re:Tennessee’s Torrent Of Threes Washes Gators Into NIT
Mar 03 2009 17:28:54
bigorange wrote:
QUOTE:
We,, You better hope you don't have to play UT again. We own ya'll...lol
I'm just wondering if our football team will outscore our basketball team against you.
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#2191 |
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