There has been alot of talk about the drought between 2000 and 2006 of Sweet 16 appearances. But Deadspin or WATB Hoops is right on target:
Billy Donovan Is A God. The Gator basketball program began play in 1915. Before Billy Donovan arrived in 1996, the Gators appeared in the AP poll a grand total of 42 weeks and made just five NCAA Tournament appearances. This year marks Donovan's eighth straight Tournament appearance, and the Gators have found themselves ranked in the AP poll 120 weeks during Billy the Kid's 10 seasons in Gainesville. Donovan also helped the O'Connell Center morph from a cavernous canvas-domed warehouse to one of the most intimidating atmospheres in basketball, thanks to a new roof and Donovan's creation of the "Rowdy Reptile" student section
In my day, their was no Rowdy Reptile section. I guess we can give credit to Duke for something with the Cameron Crazies having an impact on college arenas around America.