The young and inexperienced Gators crashed out of the SEC tournament last night to Alabama 80-69. The Gators fell behind 30-5 in the first half and were never able to recover.

Many analysts believe Florida was firmly on the bubble to make the NCAA tournament, but I did not believe that. They went 8-8 in a down SEC this season, and their best non-conference win was against Temple. They didn’t play anybody, and that was for a reason. Head coach Billy Donovan wanted to give his 5 freshmen players an easier schedule to help build their confidence, and he knew they would take their lumps in the SEC this season.

And now, their fate has been sealed with the first round exit against the Tide.

To paraphrase Jim Mora, “NCAA tournament? You’re asking about the NCAA tournament??? NCAA tournament?”

I don’t think so. It is the NIT for you, Florida fans.

Florida had a marvelous run the past few years – back-to-back national championships in basketball, and a national championship in football. That’s never been done before.

As a University of Florida alum, it was a great time to be a Gator.

But the magical run is over.

Thank you Billy Donovan for spurning the Orlando Magic and returning to Gainesville.

And now, it is time to get to work and whip these young basketball players into shape.

It’s time to start a new streak…

Post from: EveryJoe

RIP Gators dynasty – a new champ is on the way…

Head coach Billy Donovan has a bad back. He’s suffered back problems since his playing days at Providence College, where he suffered two fractures in his back.

Those back problems have grown steadily worse, and Donovan might require surgery to fix the problem.

“I’m concerned because I haven’t been able to walk,” Donovan said. “It takes me a while. The other day, I got out of bed and couldn’t stand up and had to crawl to the bathroom. So that’s kind of what I’m dealing with now. I’ve had back problems for a long time, so it’s not anything new.”

Gator fans are praying that Donovan’s back will allow him to coach the talented group of incoming Gator freshmen. If Donovan is unable to go, it could be a mighty long year in Gainesville.

Post from: EveryJoe

Gators’ Donovan may go under the knife

I’ll tell you exactly what they are going to do… struggle. Are they going to go 0 for 2007? Of course not. Are they going to challenge for another SEC title? Highly unlikely.

Yes, the Gators have a ton of talent on their roster, led by incoming freshmen Jai Lucas, Nick Calathes and sophomore Marreese Speights. Master Yoda himself, Billy Donovan, will be back on the sidelines after a whirlwind marriage and annulment from the Orlando Magic.

But all the talent in the world cannot substitute for experience, and experience is what teams need to survive the war zone that is the SEC.

Florida fans were spoiled the past two seasons by the unselfish and hard-nosed play of Joakim Noah, Al Horford, Taurean Green, Lee Humphrey and Corey Brewer. It will take some time for the young Gators to learn Donovan’s system and become winners. But it will happen.

Just not this year.

Post from: EveryJoe

Where do the Florida Gators go from here?