by David on April 20, 2012
Disappointed but not surprised. That was my reaction to hearing that Florida freshman guard Bradley Beal announced he will enter the NBA draft this summer.
“It was the right time for me,” Beal said. “Coach (Billy Donovan) told me whatever you decide, when you decide make sure you’re at peace with it. … I wanted to make sure I was comfortable with the decision, comfortable telling coach and making the final decision because I knew there was no turning back.”
Bale is the first one-and-done player for the Gators since Donnell Harvey departed following the 2000 season, in which Florida reached the national championship game for the first time in school history.
by Greg on April 14, 2012
It did not take long for coach Billy Donovan to find his next assistant coach. In less than one full week since former assistant coach Norm Roberts left the University of Florida to be hired on at the University of Kansas, Rashon Burno from Manhattan College became an immediate candidate and top choice for Donovan as Roberts’ replacement.
At 33-years-old, Burno touts a short coaching career with only two years of total coaching experience. In that time, Burno has been on the staff of two different universities. He began his coaching career under former Floriday State and DePaul coach Pat Kennedy in 2010-11 at Towson State University. He was then hired on at Manhattan College for the 2011-12 season.
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Rashon Burno Hired as New Assistant on Donovan’s Staff
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by Greg on April 13, 2012
Every season, players from all over the NCAA weigh the decision of leaving their schools early to leave for the professional ranks – a decision for some that could mean millions of dollars in revenue. A decision for some that could mean the end of a career.
After discussing his options on numerous occasions with his parents, coach Billy Donovan and God – not necessarily in that order – freshman guard Bradley Beal made the decision to leave the University of Florida men’s basketball program to enter the NBA draft.
At the conclusion of this season, many fans in Gator Nation celebrated the surprising success of the Gators Basketball team. The Gators made it further in the tournament than anyone may have expected. Despite finishing the season with a loss and an exit from the tournament, Gators fans have much to look forward to next Fall.
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Gators Add Youth to Basketball Team Next Season
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by AnthonyRichards on March 24, 2012
It has been 25 years since Billy Donovan led Providence to the Final Four under the tutelage of his coach Rick Pitino. Donovan will now face his mentor Saturday in Phoenix with a trip to the Final Four on the line.
The Gators (26-10) will play the Louisville Cardinals (29-9) in an Elite 8 matchup which will decide who will represent the West Region in the Final Four. It will be the Gators fourth Elite 8 appearance in the last seven years.
by David on March 23, 2012
The University of Florida men’s basketball team are a game away from returning to the Final Four after a 68-58 victory over Marquette. Next up for Florida is a West Regional final Saturday against Louisville.
Against Marquette, Florida was led by Bradley Beal, the freshman phenom, who scored 21 points on 8-for-10 shooting. He also had six rebounds, four assists, two steals and two blocked shots, including one on Jae Crowder while the third-seeded Golden Eagles (27-8) were desperately trying to claw back after trailing by 14.
by David on March 21, 2012
How physical is Marquette? Well Murray State coach Steve Prohm compared the Golden Eagles to playing a football team. And matching Marquette’s physical play will be a big challenge for the Gators on Thursday night.
But Marquette isn’t just about banging bodies around on the court. They like to run and keep the tempo fast, and they shoot well — but with the added benefit of quick big men.
“They’ve got great speed and quickness,” Florida coach Billy Donovan said. “I think they’re a great offensive rebounding team, they’re an attack team, they push the ball very hard.
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Gators Say They Can Match Marquette’s Physical Style
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by AnthonyRichards on March 19, 2012
The next stop in the Gators quest for a National Title is Phoenix, Ariz. and a date with Marquette on Thursday.
Marquette is a team with strong guard play that operates an offense averaging 75.9 ppg this season.
The leading guard is senior Darius Johnson-Odom who was an All-Big East First Team selection after leading the team with 18.5 ppg.
As a third-year starter in coach Buzz Williams’ system, Johnson-Odom has a great understanding. His size (6-2, 215) brings a physical nature to his position and presents the Gator defenders with the challenge of cutting off driving lanes to the basket.
by David on March 18, 2012
No big upset this time. Kenny Boynton and Florida were just too good for surprising Norfolk State. Norfolk State shook up the West Regional when it upset No. 2 seed Missouri 86-84 on Friday, and was trying to become the first 15 seed to reach the round of 16.
Florida put a quick end to that idea, making five 3-pointers during a 25-0 run that made it 29-6 midway through the first half.
The seventh-seeded Gators (25-10) have made it to the regional semifinals six times in 12 NCAA tournament appearances under coach Billy Donovan. They will play No. 3 seed Marquette on Thursday in Phoenix after their second straight runaway win.
by AnthonyRichards on March 18, 2012
The Gators will face the unlikeliest of opponents Sunday, as they take on the 15th- seeded Norfolk State Spartans. The Spartans advanced to play Florida by upsetting second-seeded Missouri 86-84.
The upset was only the fifth time in tournament history that a 15th seed defeated a second seed. It presents the Gators with a matchup of a team that they do not have much film on, making it tougher for Billy Donovan and his coaches to create a game plan. The only substantial scouting of Norfolk State will be whatever the coaches learned from watching the Spartans play live against Missouri.
