Hope you all will indulge me posting about our 4 seniors we Gators are so proud of. Article Gator Senior Recognition You Tube <iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/RcefCTzsT5c" frameborder="0"></iframe>
I think so too Terry. The way I feel about these guys if if they loose in the SEC Tourney and the NCAA I will feel bad for them but what they have given Gator fans is far beyond how far we go this year.
Bill, While ND basketball has had a terrible year, and even the last few which were pretty good by our standards but certainly not top 10 by Gator standards, the teams have been enjoyable because we usually have a good contingent of Jr/Sr players who we've all gotten a chance to get to know and watch grow. As opposed to Kentucky which seems to focus on the 1 and done type of player who has no intention of staying any longer than they absolutely have to at Kentucky. This is sort of why I think we see some mid-majors do well in the tournament, they are frequently older teams loaded with savy vets who have paid their dues. Great season for the Gators.
After seeing our 04's win back to back titles in 2006-07 and then seeing how this Gator team plays together and the players buy in to what Billy D is coaching I am convinced that Billy D's approach is head and shoulders better than that of John Calipari at Ky. Sure....they had one awesome collection of players in 2012 but how does a Ky fan develop any continuity of being a fan of mercenary players who are one and done and don't really give a crap about the school or their fans. Gator greats like Joakim Noah and Al Horford are still visible to the program with their support of Gator basketball and it's great to see that school loyalty continue on. I can't imagine these one and done Cats ever setting foot on the Ky. campus again once they hit the NBA.
Yes Irish Women just completed an undefeated season, they ran through the ACC tournament and only Duke in the 1st half gave them much resistance. While there is a lot of games to play in the tournament and upsets do happen this is a team that I expect to get to the final 4. Hopefully even win it all, but UConn is a formidable opponent and has the best player in college basketball and Geno has proven that he is one of the best if not the best coach in the womens game today. Women's basketball is what we'd all like to see for the men, player who stay 4 years and graduate. I really wish that the NBA would do away with the 1 year in college requirement and let those who want to play NBA play in the NBA. I wish they would beef up the NBA Developement League so that it would be a viable alternative to kids who don't really want to go to college. I wish we had a deal like Baseball has, sign a pro contract out of hs and go to the minors or go to college and stay at least 3 years.
Terry, I agree with you, the one and done needs to go. But it is the NBA that needs to make it happen.
Gators beat Tennessee in a tough grind it out game. In the finals tomorrow most likely against Kentucky. Kentucky is a very scary team, they probably have more raw talent than anybody else but they are very young. They played to their potential against LSU yesterday and are looking good against Georgia early. I expect they will win. I think the Gators have done enough to get a number one seed but we will see tomorrow night.