Basketball Double Hoop
What Happened To The Emerging Gator Basketball Dynasty?
It seems a lot longer than three years ago that the University of Florida Men’s Basketball team was on top of the College Basketball world with a future brighter than the noon sun in the Sahara. They had just completed back-to-back National Championship seasons, and were owners of the #1 ranked recruiting class according to Rivals.com.
Head coach Billy Donovan was College Basketball’s hottest commodity – having accepted a lucrative offer to coach in the pros with the Orlando Magic on May 31, 2007, only to retract and “return” to the Gators a few days later. And just a few weeks later they would see three of their basketball heroes taken within the first 10 picks of the NBA Draft (Al Horford #3 to Atlanta, Corey Brewer #7 to Minnesota and Joakim Noah #9 to Chicago).
Yes, things were indeed good in Gatorland with many predicting the program would supplant Kentucky as the SEC standard, and take its place alongside the Duke’s, North Carolina’s and UCLA’s of the world.
To be fair, that Florida Gators Basketball team did lose all five starters from the repeat champions so a struggle in 2007-2008 was to be expected. However, the number #1 recruiting class of 2007 was followed with another stellar class in 2008, and expectations were once again high as the Gators were preseason #19 in the 2008-2009 AP poll.
Florida finished 25-11 in 2008-2009 good for #3 in the SEC East and accepted their 2nd straight NIT invitation where they lost in the NIT quarterfinals. For most schools this would be considered a very successful year, but at the University of Florida with its championship pedigree, top recruiting classes, and brilliant young coach this was a bit disheartening.
We now fast forward 3 years later to find a Gator team making its first trip back to the NCAA Tournament since repeating in 2007. Hoping to make a run in the Tourney this year after two consecutive NIT appearances – the Gators were rudely welcomed back to the Big Dance with a heartbreaking 99-92 double overtime loss to BYU.
NIT appearances and first round Tournament exits is certainly not what Gator Nation envisioned after winning it all in successive years, but there is a silver lining. Everyone except senior Dan Werner is expected back next season, and this is still a very talented University of Florida roster.
Only time will tell if this Florida Basketball Program will ever reach the heights forecasted just a few short years ago, but as long as Billy Donovan, a lovely campus and even lovelier coeds remain a constant they will continue to attract talented players.
When the calendar turns to March in the future, let’s just hope this football crazed fan base will have reason to talk hoops instead of spring football. Average Gator Football teams will still be backed enthusiastically but prolonged periods of slightly better than mediocre basketball could deal a blow to the program that may take many years to recover from.
About the Author
Antwan Leonard is a successful online entrepreneur, internet marketer, blogger and Fantasy Sports enthusiast.
Mini basketball hoop trick dunks *DOUBLE DUNKING*
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