Gators Looking For A Second Chance In Cigar City

by mlmintampa on Mar 12, 2009 1:44 AM EDT in Florida Basketball

In the 2008 SEC Tournament, an underwhelming Gators team had a chance to win a few games and claim a spot in the NCAA Tournament. Instead, they slept walked through their first round game against Alabama. Billy Donovan dropped a line that may be forever associated with this class, "They're not committed to it," and Florida was sent to the NIT graveyard.

Florida (22-9, 9-7) finds themselves in the same position this season in the 2009 SEC Tournament. The scene has changed; instead of six hours north on I-75 to Atlanta, it is two hours south on I-75 to Tampa. The players remain the same, with the stakes just as high. The Gators cannot make up for last year's epic fail by claiming a NCAA spot this year. But, a decent SEC run will get them to the dance, rather than setting the program back another year.

Arkansas (14-15, 2-14) stands in the Gators' way Thursday. The Razorbacks are typical of any rebuilding team; very young, breaking down (started season 12-1 with wins over Oklahoma and Texas), and very bad defensively (only UF is worse in SEC field goal percentage allowed). If Arkansas shows the flashes of brilliance that they had to start the season, Florida will be taking another early trip back to Gainesville.

Two freshmen for Arky, Rotnei Clarke and Courtney Fortson, have had to grow up fast by taking on a large role for the Razorbacks. When combined with juniors Michael Washington and Stefan Welsh, Arkansas can score. All four of those players are in the top-30 for SEC scoring. In comparison, only Nick Calathes and Alex Tyus are in the top-30 for UF.

If Arkansas can score, UF will struggle with the Razorbacks. That's seems painfully simple, but since both teams are awful defensively, having four scorers will be an advantage for Arkansas.

It is easy for Florida to look beyond a team they defeated in January, 80-65. But Arkansas has the ability to sneak up on UF, just as UF has the ability to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. The Gators have to clear out the memories of last year's disaster and winning Thursday night is just the first step.

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UF/Ark

There’s a debate going on here in Auburn about whether we should be rooting for you guys or the Razorbacks on Thursday night. If Arkansas were to win, obviously we would have a MUCH easier game in the quarterfinals. However, what would a 3rd win over Arkansas do for AU? Not much. I think the consensus here on the Plains is to root for the Gators in the 1st round. However, we all know it will be a very tough task if we have to face y’all again. While we lead the SEC in scoring defense, Florida has scored 75+ points in 10 of its 16 SEC games… In all reality I can say with about 90% certainty we will be facing you guys in Tampa; Gators by 15 over Arkansas.

What do an Auburn fan and a bammer have in common? (Neither of them ever attended that school in tuscaloosa).

by AUshorecm on Mar 12, 2009 2:16 AM EDT reply actions

Thanks for the vote of confidence AU

It’s hard for me to feel confident about any UF hoops game this season! I hope you’re right.

by skigator93 on Mar 12, 2009 4:05 PM EDT reply actions

No tornadoes this year, okay FSM?

He said okay. Anybody else read the SI story in this week’s issue about last year’s tourney? Weird.

WBULTV - BDale TV Prod

by bdalebs on Mar 12, 2009 7:05 PM EDT reply actions

Well, at least we won’t have the weirdness of UGA winning the tournament two years in a row – the Dog v Dawg battle was rather emphatically decided in favour of the West.

by peachy rex on Mar 12, 2009 7:26 PM EDT reply actions