The Florida Gators basketball team begins their preseason tonight against Florida Tech. The game is at 7pm, but not on television. Florida has two preseason games before their opener on November 12.

The Gators have a lot of expectations for a team that was a 10 seed in the NCAA Tournament last season. UF was picked ahead of the NBA minor league team in Kentucky to win the SEC East. UF has the most returning starters of any SEC team; all five starters return. 

Added to the mix is center Patric Young, who should see plenty of playing time with Vernon Macklin and Chandler Parsons on the front line. Alex Tyus, after getting what Andy Katz called "sound advice", did not jump to the NBA and returns for a senior season. In the back court, Kenny Boynton and Erving Walker remain the guards, with the only option behind them freshman Scottie Wilbekin. 

Billy Donovan will use the preseason games as a sparring session. With Young, it will be interesting to see how effective he is. It's terrible to compare Young to previous players, but at 6-foot-9, 225lbs, he has the body of Al Horford. If he can have half the career of Horford, Young will be a great contributor. I'd like to see UF run a bigger lineup with Boynton, Parsons, Tyus, Macklin and Young.