The Goodbye Gators
by mlmintampa on Mar 14, 2009 12:38 PM EDT
in Basketball
5 comments
I feel bad for Erving Walker. In another time, he would have been a black Lee Humphrey, just with a better free throw percentage. But instead of stabbing people in the chest like Humphrey would do by shooting threes from Archer and Hawthorne, Walker never gets the knife out of the case. When his attempt at a tying 3-point basket was blocked, securing a 61-58 win for Auburn, Walker did everything he was supposed to do. Unfortnately, not everyone on the Gators did the same.
It is still possible UF makes the tournament, but it doesn't look good today. The Gators only have themselves to blame for this; Donovan gets blame for not drawing a play to protect Walker's final shot (a SEC All-Defensive Team selection blocked Walker's attempt). Donovan also gets blame for not realizing until Friday that his best five includes Walker over Chandler Parsons.
As great as Nick Calathes has been this season, is he becoming our A-Rod? (The first comment on this story.) He had 11 rebounds, but was 3-13 shooting. That seems a bit unfair to Alex Rodriguez; he's been on the doorstep of the World Series three times. Calathes can't get past Tennessee or the SEC Quarters. I think Calathes' breakdown is more of a result of the rest of his teammates not picking up the pace. Walker can only do so much because of his size and youth. Alex Tyus has improved, but the right guys can shove him around (see Patrick Patterson). Tyus played well last night (21 pts, 11 rebs) because Auburn plays with a small lineup, giving Tyus mismatches about half the time. I'll do my best to not rip on Dan Werner, but should he be shooting 7 of 10 shots from 3-point range? This game was pretty even. It's not like they needed to be chucking to keep up.
Walker spent his time after the game in tears. If he's that sick about it, we should be happy he is coming back. That's the only bright spot in another disappointing season.
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Walker
One of the broadcasters in a game earlier this season noted that the best shooter of our opponent (can’t remember the player or team) made it very difficult to block his shot because he was always leaning backward slightly. Walker might want to consider doing that since he’s probably 5’6" or so (not sure whay he’s listed at, but take 2 inches away from the listing!)
We simply aren’t good enough to put anyone away. All season, we have suffered because of our size. Last night, size was actually an advantage, yet we still played like we were facing the biggest team in the land. Instead of pounding inside every possession, we’d rather let Werner chuck a 3. It was disgusting to watch.
Were we good enough to win the SEC tourney? no. Were we good enough to win a second round game in Tampa against a team we beat on the road earlier this season? I would have thought we were, but no, we were not.
I think Calathes simply wore down after trying to carry too much of the load all season – as he looked off the past several games, I wouldn’t insult him with the A-rod label yet though, as A-Rod is surrounded by some of the best (or at least highest paid) players in the game, while Calathes is surrounded by guys who couldn’t make the basketball equivalent of the Toledo Mudhens. Plus, to our knowledge, Calathes isn’t a cheater using banned substances, but I digress.
I think better times are ahead for this team, and at least Calathes’ performance to close the season, should discourage any dreams of NBA readiness.
Donovan just needs to learn that Werner and Parsons hurt us more than they help us. Parsons was an absolute liability out there last night. If we could ever get a game without 1-2 guys completely laying eggs out there, we would be much better. I will root for us in the NIT, but emotionally, it’s officially a “wait ’til next year” for me!
When does softball play again? They are our best hope for the next Gator championship. If you have a chance to see them play in person, or on TV, do it – they’ll make you feel great to be a Florida Gator!
The Chandler Parsons Project is over
Walker played more minutes. It seemed as if every shot of Donovan in the final minutes had Parsons on the bench looking lost.
And I wish the Gators not named Calathes or Walker were like the Mud Hens. Toledo won the International League in 05 and 06. (Says the former Blue Jays minor league staffer.)
mlmintampa
UF C/O 06
so disapointed
I really thought that when LSU and Kentucky went down we had just a good a shot as anyone. And a third game against Tennessee would’ve been hella exciting too. Ugh.. at least I still have my other teams Pitt in the tourney and most likely Penn State.
Hope.
Tyus should be better as a PF next year anf Walker should keep one of Werner/Parsons on the bench from the start. With that G’town transfer and some new recruits, maybe 2010 will be the start of the next stretch of deep runs into the NCAA tournament.
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