Alligator Army

Realigning SEC Basketball

2010-03-10T06:37:09Z

In 2010, the top four teams in the SEC East (Kentucky, Vanderbilt, Tennessee, Florida) finished 24-0 against the SEC West. The gap is so wide that no SEC West teams are favored to advance to the Conference Semifinals or reach the NCAA Tournament. The performance of the West this season and in much of this decade has led to calls of ending the SEC's divisions for basketball. Realignment, however, is a flawed solution to a short term problem.

In February, Clay Travis did a very good job of breaking down the reasons for why the West is so inferior to the East. However, in calling for ending divisional play in basketball or more equal divisions, he avoids addressing of how the schedule would work. The SEC could play a round robin of 15 games, but that would make the SEC the only Big Six conference with less than 16 conference games. Plus, that would create an uneven home-road schedule for some teams. You could do a round robin, plus some home-and-home series like the Big East or Big Ten. But if you're blowing up the divisions to increase competition, only home-and-homes among similarly skilled teams make sense. Who would then determine who has skill and who doesn't? Would it change year to year and cause the SEC schedule to be built by the votes of administrators?

Divisional play is a good thing because it puts a premium on defeating your rivals. While success and failure is cyclical, Florida will always hate Georgia, Alabama will always hate Auburn, and everyone will always hate Tennessee. Making the SEC into North-South or a single table with unbalanced scheduling only breaks up the best teams. But they will still be the best teams. Major League Baseball always runs into this problem and has considered realignment for about the hundredth time in my lifetime. Moving the Tampa Bay Rays out of the AL East may give them an easier road to the pennant, but they would still have to play the Yankees or Red Sox in the playoffs.

Travis is right in that the Conference Tournament should be seeded 1-12. After awarding the top two seeds to division winners, it makes much more sense to seed everyone by record. Only in the SEC could Tennessee, a team that defeated two No. 1 ranked teams, be given the same seed as Arkansas, who finished the season on a five game losing streak. Basing seeding on divisional finish also alters the NCAA selections. Let's say that UF defeats Auburn and Mississippi State to get to the SEC Semifinals. On the other side of the bracket, Ole Miss defeats Tennessee to move into the SEC Semifinals. We assume that UF needs two wins, but does Ole Miss need two wins too? They both finished in the semis, so are they the same level of team? Could Ole Miss' win over UT look better than UF's since it was at a neutral site, and push Ole Miss in as the fourth SEC bid? It is a lot of questions but it demonstrates how the seeding system is less than perfect.

I expect to hear this same realignment argument in ten years when Billy Donovan is retired, Kentucky is under sanctions, Bruce Pearl is dead of overheating, while Arkansas and LSU compete in Final Fours and Auburn uses their new arena and white limo to pull in top-10 classes. Keep the divisions as they are and eventually you will see a power shift.

Tim Tebow To The Bills, Jaguars, Panthers, Seahawks, or Steelers?

2010-03-09T19:01:49Z

Tim Tebow has always said he needed only 1 of 32 teams to think he is an NFL-caliber quarterback. However, it is to his financial benefit to get four or five teams to think that, creating competition and a nice contract on Draft Day.

Following Florida's Pro Day on March 17, Tebow will have workouts with the Buffalo Bills and Seattle Seahawks, two teams that have immediate needs at quarterback. The Buffalo's Trent Edwards and Ryan Fitzpatrick clearly are not good enough to take the Bills back to the playoffs. Bills Hall of Famer Jim Kelly has also endorsed Tebow. The Bills have the 9th and 41st picks. Some Bills fans think Tebow is Alex Smith 2.0 because both were coached by Urban Meyer. This is like saying Danny Wuerffel and Stephen Garcia are similar because both were coached by Steve Spurrier.

In Seattle, the Seahawks have Matt Hasselbeck but just traded long time backup Seneca Wallace to the Browns. That nearly confirms the Seahawks will take a QB. The Seahawks have the 6th and 14th picks, making it unlikely they would take Tebow there since he has not convinced anyone he is a first round pick. However, Seattle picks 40th, which is a possible landing spot for Tebow.

The Panthers released Jake Delhomme last week, making Matt Moore their "Quarterback Of The Future" or at least the "Quarterback Who Won't Throw Every Pass To The Other Team." Carolina has the 48th and 78th picks, which they could use on a quarterback. Plus, Tebow would feel at home in the Bible Belt, even if North Carolina is bluer than the rest of the Deep South. Speaking for myself, I would root hard against Tebow if he was on Carolina. As a Bucs fan, the Panthers are the Oakland Raiders of the NFC, and get away with it because they have neon blue uniforms and play in front of a bunch of credit card and banking executives. But on the road, Panther fans are so bad, they make Saints fans look like the Kennedys. They had their team trainer giving steroids to players, who were never punished. Oh, and it's the team of Rae Carruth too.

With Ben Roethlisberger being unable to keep his pants on, maybe the Pittsburgh Steelers will enter the Tebow Race. Since last season, we and others have compared Tebow to Big Ben. And Mike Tomlin has done it too.

The recent news, in addition to having only former Oregon QB Dennis Dixon behind Roethlisberger, could make the Steelers take a second look at Tebow. He would also fit into the mold of Dixon and Ben with being a tall, mobile guy. Pittsburgh has the 18th and 52nd picks.

Of course, the team with the most to gain and lose, is the Jaguars. Tebow is the hometown boy and played for the college team of choice in Jacksonville. Plus, he might singlehandedly keep the Jags from being sold and moving to Los Angeles. (However, owner Wayne Weaver continues to say he is committed to Jacksonville. Just like Howard Schultz's commitment to keeping the Sonics in Seattle.) The huge fan support of selecting Tebow is offset by the rebellion among some who think Tebow is not worth the pick. (Tangent: I don't think the owner of Draft15.com is a Jags fan and is instead just trying to make a buck selling tshirts. Nice job of finally getting around to supporting the local team, asshole.)

Tebow has always put a lot of pressure on himself, so saving the NFL in Jacksonville while kneecapping the qualified David Garrard, might be perfect for him. The huge problem is that Jax picks at 10th and 74th. If CJ Spiller (by the way, another North Florida kid) is available, the Jags can't pass him up. That means the Jags might have to mortgage their future to move back into the first round, all for a guy that could be a bust. For Jacksonville, Tebow is high risk but high reward if it works.

SEC Basketball Power Poll March 7-13

2010-03-09T13:00:23Z

Our ballot. Final results at Garnet and Black Attack.

1. Kentucky: The Cats look good enough to have their 2010 Final Four run forfeited in five years while John Calipari is coaching the Brooklyn Nets.

2. Vanderbilt: Was losing to South Carolina at home a sign of bigger concerns? They did need OT to be Georgia at home, too.

3. Tennessee: As much as I think the guy is a huge publicity whore and phony, Bruce Pearl is a good coach. Their curb stomping of Miss State was another example of how good UT can be.

4. Ole Miss: The Rebs' 4-game winning streak to end the season coincided with Chris Warren's most recent tear. He also averaged less than 2 turns over the last 4 games, a number inflated by 5 turns against Arky on Saturday.

5. Florida: On a three-game losing streak. If you can't take care of your business, you shouldn't make the tournament.

6. Mississippi State: On a two-game losing streak. If you can't take care of your business, you shouldn't make the tournament.

7. Alabama: They defeated South Carolina a week ago. Why can't they do it again at the SEC Tournament?

8. South Carolina: Devan Downey, and his 26.2ppg in SEC games, are the Cocks only hope in Nashville.

9. University of Auburn: Had the Tigers not put the Gators on the line 40 times (making 38), Auburn's 78-70 loss in Gainesville would have been a lot closer. This is what they are reminding themselves prior to the SEC Tourney matchup.

10. Arkansas: Two 4-game losing streaks and a 5-game losing streak to end the season. Ugh.

11. Georgia: The best 5-11 SEC team ever. Until they lost to LSU.

12. LSU: Getting hot at the right time, baby!

What Is Florida's Problem?

2010-03-08T06:59:18Z

More photos » David Manning - AP

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For the third consecutive season, the Gators could have sealed an NCAA bid by winning 10 conference games but failed. Why does this keep happening? Here are our theories;

Expectations are too high: Coming into 2008, UF had made nine straight NCAA appearances, won three straight SEC Tournaments and two straight NCAA Championships. Oh and Billy Donovan came back to supposedly coach this great incoming class. We don't know if the pressure was too much to handle, but you'd think after tarnishing the program, the players would have gotten over the expectations and just played ball in 2010.

Not talented: Looking at Florida's starting five, could any of them play in the NBA? Could any of them play in the Big East? (Remember, Vernon Macklin left Georgetown because he wasn't playing.) Chandler Parsons could contribute off the bench, but none of the Gators would be a game changer like John Wall or Patrick Patterson. You need good guards and Erving Walker does not matchup with Devan Downey, Scotty Hopson or Jermaine Beal. Kenny Boynton and Ray Shipman may get there, but not with Walker standing in the way. UF also has pillow soft forwards in Dan Werner and Alex Tyus. In his defense, Werner had the same identity crisis as David Lee, in that he didn't know to bang inside or shoot the j. The difference is that Lee could be successful in both roles. Werner was never successful in either. However, Werner is impressive in taking charges.

Bad coaching: It hurts me to say this, but Donovan has to take a lot of blame for this. UF does not have a set offense or defense, so they can't have average talent and turn them into an annual contender (like Syracuse and the zone defense). Before you say, "Well, they don't have big men," or "A lot of guys left early," remember that Donovan put this team together. He knew who would jump ship and who needed to be cuddled and told sweet things in order to keep them in Gainesville (like Tyus after nearly leaving last summer). While Donovan does not seem as frustrated with the 2010 Gators as he was with the 2009 Gators (when he wouldn't let them wear UF gear or practice in the nice gym), something is missing and it has to start at the top.

All the good players left or got hurt: 2008 should have had Brewer, Green, Horford and Noah. 2009 should have had Marreese Speights, Jai Lucas and Jonathan Mitchell. 2010 should have had Nick Calathes and Kenny Kadji. With that in mind, losses happen to everyone, but UF seems especially hit hard. When you consider the talent that left, it makes the remaining Florida guys seem like the second string.

Other: Changing jerseys to the stupid alligator print with duct tape? Donovan losing recruiting battles? The O'Dome smelling like chlorine and plastic? Let us know what else could be the problem.

Poll

What is Florida's problem?

Gator Baseball Takes 2 Of 3 At Miami

2010-03-07T23:06:12Z

Splitting the first two games of the series, Florida defeated Miami 4-2 in Coral Gables, taking the finale of the weekend series. The Gators' success this weekend came as a result of great pitching.

Florida (7-2) had two sophomores and a freshman pitching this weekend. Sunday, sophomore Tommy Toledo got the ball, his biggest start following shoulder surgery that caused a medical redshirt last season. Toledo was not dominant, but effective in going five innings and allowing five hits, two runs (1 ER), one walk and stroking out four. Toledo left the game with a 3-1 lead after 3B Bryson Smith hit a three-run homer in the fifth. It was Smith's second homer and sixth RBI of 2010.

Kevin Chapman followed with four innings in relief, keeping the Hurricanes (7-3) off-balance and creating ground ball outs. Chapman allowed one hit and struck out two for his second save this season. Toledo moves to 2-0 in three starts.

Saturday evening's 9-6 loss to the Canes was the only bump for UF, as freshman Brian Johnson allowed six hits and five runs (2 ER). He did show flashes of brilliance by striking out five in 4.2 innings. UF had a 3-2 lead after scoring three in the fifth, but Miami scored six in the next two innings to ice it.

Sophomore southpaw Alex Panteliodis had the weekend's best performance Friday in UF's 7-1 win. Panteliodis held UM hitless in the first four innings, finishing with two hits, one earned run in 5.2 innings. He also had eight strikeouts and two walks. He moved to 3-0, but his first win as a starter in 2010. Sophomore Nick Maronde, who has struggled, earned the save with 3.1 IP scoreless.

The Gators have a pair of games against Illinois State this week, with Charleston Southern coming in on the weekend.

Kentucky Defeats Florida 74-66; NCAA Bid Will Have To Come In Nashville

2010-03-07T19:44:12Z

More photos » Ed Reinke - AP

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The Gators finished the regular season on a three-game losing streak with their 74-66 loss to Kentucky. The Gators are 20-11, but more importantly 9-7 in the SEC, when 10-6 would have nearly guaranteed an NCAA bid.

Once again, five minute stretches of no offense sunk the Gators. With 5:35 left, UF fought back to a 62-60 deficit. But Kentucky (29-2, 14-2) went on a 6-0 run, with UF not scoring until the 1:40 mark, to make it 68-62. It is even worse when you realize that at 10:34, it was 59-56 for UK as neither team was making buckets in the last 10 minutes. Florida had chances to comeback, but could not rise to the challenge.

UK did play good defense, using their length to force UF into 13 turnovers while blocking eight shots. Patrick Patterson scored 13 for the 'Cats, but DeMarcus Cousins had eight points, instead being a monster UF had to drive and shoot around. UK's guards were the stars, with John Wall scoring 11 and eight assists, while Eric Bledsoe and Darius Miller each got 14 points.

Chandler Parsons, in a replay of his Vanderbilt performance, struggled with nine points on 2-6 shooting. Alex Tyus got 12, Kenny Boynton got 11 and Erik Murphy had 11. Late in the game, Billy Donovan kept Dan Werner (who attempted zero shots, zero points and had three rebounds in 25 minutes) in the game over Murphy, who added six rebounds in his 17 minutes. Erving Walker was 3 of 15 shooting for eight points, but his eight rebounds and four assists were enough to keep him in over Ray Shipman (nine points on 3-4 shooting in nine minutes).

During the game, a friend texted me to say that, "This is, by far, the most frustrating Gator team to watch ever. Zook's teams included." I agreed with this, but my knowledge of Gator sports begins with Steve Spurrier, so I don't know how accurate this is. What I do know is that while Kentucky and Tennessee are more talented than Florida, those teams can play a 40 minute game. Florida, in the last three seasons, can't play 40 minutes. Against good teams, Florida fails to function for 5-10 minutes, either at the beginning or the end. It may have against cost them a spot in the NCAA Tournament.

Florida faces Auburn (15-16, 6-10) Thursday at 7:30 ET in the SEC Tournament. The winner faces Mississippi State (21-10, 9-7) on Friday. Should UF face Miss State, the winner might get the final SEC bid.

Gator Basketball @ Kentucky

2010-03-07T06:16:56Z

Phil Sandlin - AP

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On February 23, the Gators were 9-4 in the league after defeating Tennessee. Needing to win one of their next two games to clinch an NCAA bid, the Gators lost both by a combined score of six points. Today, barring a miracle, they will lose their third straight game, with a loss at Kentucky. (This Gator team has made me a bitter man. But I am hoping for a reverse jinx.)

If it seems too negative to assume that Florida (20-10, 9-6 SEC), it is based on recent history. The Gators' best road win this season was at Ole Miss (21-9, 9-7), who has won their last four games and might steal the fourth and final SEC invitation. Of UF five road wins, only Jacksonville and Ole Miss finished above .500 in their league. The last time UF defeated Kentucky at Rupp Arena was February of 2007.

The Wildcats (28-2, 13-2) defeated UF in January by bludgeoning them; UK made 36 field goals (51%) and had four starters in double figures. UK's 89-77 win came on a night when John Wall struggled, making 7-17 for 19 points. Eric Bledsoe was the stud, scoring 25 and missing only three shots. UF actually took a one point lead with 5:12 left, but was outscored 15-3 to close it out. That game, like every loss this season, was marked by an inability to play a 40 minute game.

Chandler Parsons has been thinking the right things heading into this game, but the writing is on the wall, no pun intended. UK is 18-0 at home, and while they have looked shaky in some road games, they are not losing this game. Especially with Patrick Patterson getting the third-year senior treatment Sunday. Parsons is the only guy Florida has who can match the NBA talent the Cats have (because he works his ass off), but Parsons is finally breaking down from carrying everyone else.

The best thing for Florida is to use Kentucky to prepare for their opening SEC Tournament game against Auburn. Florida has to get in the NCAA Tournament, but the route won't go through Rupp. It will go through Nashville.

Gator Baseball Charges Into Danger At Miami

2010-03-05T07:47:23Z

Tuesday night, the Gators were manhandled by FSU 10-5, with UF allowing seven runs in the first inning. Earlier that same night, Miami defeated USF 15-2. This weekend in Coral Gables, Florida (5-1) faces Miami (6-1) in another top-10 matchup for the Gators.

The series can be a good measure of how good the Gators will be. In 2005, UF won 2 of 3 in the series and finished second in Omaha. They swept the Canes in 2006 and missed the tournament. Last season, UF was swept in Gainesville, but won two against Miami in the regionals during a rebuilding season for UM.

The Canes always seem to have a great catcher and Yasmani Grandal is carrying on that tradition. He had nine RBI and 10 hits in 26 at-bats. Grandal is supported by 3b Harold Martinez (10 RBI, 3 HR) and OF Chris Pelaez (13 hits in 20 AB). The Canes have an experienced staff, which they did not alway have last season. Friday night's starter is junior southpaw Chris Hernandez, who led UM in wins last season. Hernandez beat the Gators in the first meeting of 2009, but took the lost in the first regional game. UF sophomore Alex Panteliodis gets the ball on Friday. He was 0-1 in two appearances against UM in 2009, pitching 10.1 innings and allowing seven runs on 16 hits.

Saturday, the Canes run out senior righty Jason Santana, who allowed two runs on four hits in four innings against UF in 2009. The Gators put stud freshman Brian Johnson on the bump, who pitched 5.2 innings of shutout ball in his only start on Feb. 20 against USF.

Sunday starter, Tommy Toledo, faced the Canes in Coral Gables in 2008. He had a no decision, pitching five innings and allowing two runs on four hits. He faces UM's Eric Erickson, who like Toledo, missed all of 2009 with arm surgery.

As a team, the Gators are hitting well (.333). But Preston Tucker can make this lineup go and he hasn't done it yet. The sophomore has one RBI and zero extra base hits in 24 at-bats. Tucker needs to be the big bopper in the lineup. Perhaps Miami can be his tonic, as Tucker was 8 for 16 with four RBI against UM in 2009.

How Andy Staples' CASH System Could Work

2010-03-04T19:12:47Z

Sports Illustrated's Andy Staples wrote a story a few weeks ago about the Collegiate Athletic Select Hegemony (CASH). Under this plan, the ACC, Big Ten, Pac-10 and SEC would become 16-team super leagues and break away from the NCAA. It would not create a playoff system for college football, but the resulting money from bowl games and television coverage would mean that;

64 athletic departments would be completely self-sufficient; no chief executive would ever again have to explain to a state legislature why he needs government funds to build a softball stadium

This week, the Florida State Legislature began their annual session of being ideologues more worried about raising cash than governing for 60 days. Among the issues already discussed are building casinos and making sure there is money for people to get gun permits. Meanwhile, the Florida Department of Education is in a high stakes lottery for Federal education funding. That cash is essential as the Legislature has cut funding to education in Florida, including the University of Florida. It has gotten to the point that UF asks their alumni to lobby their legislators (who hate doing real work in an election year) in addition to paying for their usual lobbyists.

But, wait, what does politics have to do with college sports? Everything.

Staples' argument that the CASH system would make enough cash for universities to no longer use tax dollars for sports (I'm looking at you Doak Campbell Stadium) is a good one. We make fun of FSU for putting classrooms in Doak to pay for luxury suites, but a lot of schools have done similar things. Florida's University Athletic Association is unique in that it is self-sufficient. Ben Hill Griffin Stadium is a state building, but renovations and luxury boxes have been bought and paid for by the UAA. The UAA also has given $53 million to UF's academics since 1990 and $6 million in UF's last budget.

That money is now necessary for Florida's survival as UF faces a similar battle as other public institutions across the country; state legislatures cutting funding as education costs rise. It is so bad in California, home of six of the top-15 US News and World Report Public Universities, that there have been wide scale protests. California has an epic budget hole, but every state is trying to cut back after spending like junkies in the last decade. It cuts across the aisle too, as Republicans have found their conservative roots again and President Obama considers freezing some spending.

As funding drops, college sports income is going through the roof. The SEC on CBS/ESPN package and Big Ten Network are cash cows. The elites of the Pac-10 are even considering adding two teams to play a conference championship game. All of this is happening as the NCAA considers breaking their $6 billion contract with CBS for March Madness for an even bigger contract.

Staples' system makes sense because the four super leagues do not have to share with 120 football teams or 340 basketball teams. CASH also creates marquee matchups every weekend. Instead of out-of-conference Charleston Southern opening Florida's season, UF goes out-of-conference against Clemson. The O'Dome would see sellout crowds again with conference rivals Oklahoma and West Virginia. The 64 schools would have to build facilities just to hold the cash they take in.

At Florida, this means the UAA giving more to academics, which also encourages academic freedom as UF can do whatever they want with the sports cash. At schools where there is no barrier between academics and athletics, sports cash means a new research hospital, 100 new professors, or more scholarships. It should also mean public funds that universities should have gotten can be funneled into elementary, middle and high schools.

Staples does not address this, choosing to look more at the possibility that CASH creates Triple-A basketball and football programs. He also wonders if the university presidents would give up on amateurism and enter a system that prints money. I think they would, once they understand how much money the schools could make. The more money schools make, the more money school presidents make. Universities will still rely on some public funding, but their fortunes won't rise and fall with the housing market or political trends.

Tim Tebow Inc.

2010-03-04T08:21:23Z

More photos » Dave Martin - AP

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Tim Tebow's appeal has always been that he is a hard working kid, who loves Jesus, his Mom and Dad and the Gators. We don't know that much about Tebow (or any Gator), so we don't know how much is legit and how much is a facade. We accept everything is legit, but since Tebow has left college, we can become more curious. Especially about his actions leading up to the NFL Draft.

People have made money off Tebow for a while, from UF selling No. 15 jerseys to those awful "I Heart T Bow" shirts. Maybe then we shouldn't be surprised that Tebow is charging $160 for an autograph Saturday in Jacksonville. That $160 does include a free Bible verse, but you have to pay $25 extra for "06/08 Champs" next to Tebow's signature. A "portion" or "some" of the proceeds will go towards the Tim Tebow Foundation.

One question we should ask Tebow is why he is charging $160 for an autograph. And he has to answer about his charity. For instance; how much of that $160 is actually helping people and how much will pay for the fancy website and staff? A "portion" and "some" could be 1% or 99%. (As a reference, here is the most recent tax information for the Bob Tebow Evangelistic Association.) Tebow is an adult and he can handle this stuff.

Tebow can apparently also handle speaking engagements, making a documentary film and training for the NFL Draft. Of all this stuff, only one thing benefits Tebow long term; the Draft. Instead of spending every waking moment in the gym, trying to secure millions of dollars, Tebow is being pulled in every direction. It seems clear that either Tebow or his handlers think NFL success is guaranteed, so it's no big deal to spend time at Daytona instead of in training. Or, and this is far more dangerous, his handlers want to make cash on Tebow before his star power runs out.

Tebow and his handlers have every right to make as much money as humanly possible. But like the family who buys a $250,000 house because they think they will always afford it, they are narrow minded. In their minds, it won't matter if Tebow is drafted in the third round, because he will be successful anyway. But any NFL fan can tell you that players can be a victim of circumstance. Quarterbacks get stuck behind awful offensive lines and fail. Defensive ends get double teams and bad stat lines because their linemen suck. What happens if Tebow is drafted by a team with a long term quarterback, like New England? Does he earn the league minimum and hope to be the next Matt Cassel? What if he becomes a bigger, stronger Joey Harrington? Will Tebow's time spent in other endeavors have had a negative impact? That's another question that could be asked of Tebow.

I mentioned at the top that we really don't know a lot about Tebow. For instance, it is possible that Tebow does not want to be an NFL player. He has a higher calling and he had to wait for his UF career to end to actually commit to it. Tebow continues to talk about how badly he wants to become an NFL quarterback. But he is not going to do that by spending the weeks before the Draft working as an ATM for his handlers.

Do The Gators Deserve To Go To The NCAA Tournament?

2010-03-03T15:27:18Z

Ok, kids. You know the drill. Let us know more in the comments.

Poll

Do the Gators deserve to go to the NCAA Tournament?

Same Old Crap; Gators Lose To Vanderbilt 64-60

2010-03-03T02:45:25Z

With a chance to erase the epic fails of the last two seasons, the Gators score one point in the final four minutes and lose 64-60 to Vanderbilt. The Gators are 20-10, but 9-6 in the league when 10 wins can guarantee an NCAA spot. Kentucky stands in the way of a tenth win on Sunday.

Vanderbilt (23-6, 12-3) played a beautiful inside-outside game as A.J. Ogilvy (16pts, 8reb) abused Vernon Macklin and guard John Jenkins was on fire with 18 points on six 3-pointers. Macklin did score 21, but it came on a night when Chandler Parsons finally hit the wall, as he scored 3 points and attempted four shots. It did not help that Kenny Boynton and Erving Walker were a combined 3-24 from the field. Boynton missed an open 3-pointer with ten seconds left as Billy Donovan could never find someone to consistently run the offense.

Dan Werner was cheered on Senior Night, a difference from the usual response he gets. Werner played more aggressively than he has all season, scoring 8 and pulling 5 rebounds. However, his own goal gave Vandy the 62-60 lead with 2:24 left that they would never give up.

Vandy raced out to a 9-0 lead in the first half and led by 12 before UF clawed their way back to a three point game at the half. But it was apparent that Vandy was too much for Florida, and once again, the Gators could not win when it counts most. Florida goes to Kentucky (27-2, 12-2) Sunday.

Gator Basketball vs. Vanderbilt

2010-03-02T23:07:00Z

Ten conference wins gets you in the tournament. The Gators forgot this Saturday when they took a dump on themselves for 30 minutes before rallying and losing. Florida (20-9, 9-5 SEC) cannot forget how important ten wins are when they face Vanderbilt (22-6, 11-3) in the O'Dome tonight.

When the Gators have failed last in the last two seasons, it has been because they did not focus, leading to blown possessions and bad defense. We saw all of that against Xavier and Georgia. But in between, the Gators won three-in-a-row, putting them in a position to seal up an NCAA bid. Then the focus dropped out in Athens.

One thing has changed since 2008 and that is Chandler Parsons. As he realized at Georgia, he needs the ball as much as possible. His play carried a team that did not want to be there. Hopefully, Parsons won't need 29-6-6 again. But he needs to be aware that if Erving Walker and Kenny Boynton are struggling, and Alex Tyus and Vernon Macklin cannot handle Vandy's A.J. Ogilvy and Jeffery Taylor, Parsons needs to take the game over. Otherwise, it's the NIT for UF, because there is no way in hell they beat Kentucky Sunday at Rupp.

Gator Baseball vs. Florida State

2010-03-02T19:43:48Z

The Gators' first of four games against the Seminoles begins tonight in Tampa as the second half of "The Florida Four." The doubleheader at Steinbrenner Field begins with Miami vs. USF at 4pm and UF vs. FSU following at about 7:30pm. Florida (5-0) and FSU (6-0) are each in college baseball's top-10 rankings.

The Gators are hitting well to start the season, while their pitching does enough to keep guys from scoring. Tonight's starter, RHP Anthony DeSclafani is an example. In his only start on Feb. 21 against USF, DeSclafani allowed four hits and a hit by pitch in 4.1 innings. But he had four strikeouts and no walks, not allowing a run. DeSclafani was the Sunday starter in the USF series and with the LaSalle series canceled last weekend, it makes sense for DeSclafani to get the ball.

As much as FSU is a rival, this is still a midweek game. Both UF and FSU have taken that approach in recent years. DeSclafani, as a sophomore, needs the experience. FSU sending RHP Geoff Parker to the mound is in the same mind set. Parker has given up five runs, five hits, three walks, three doubles and hit two batters in only 4 IP. He does have four strikeouts, a sign of a pitcher with a straight fastball; high speed and no movement.

PANIC! Joe Haden Runs 4.57 At Combine

2010-03-02T16:46:33Z

OHMYGOD, Joe Haden will never play in the NFL after running a 4.57 and 4.6 at the NFL Combine today. All of those NFL scouts are going to see a 4.57 instead of an All-American cornerback. Haden should not have gone to Indy and now might not get drafted. This is just like that time Haden had to run through the entire Georgia team in the 2008 Florida-Georgia game and got tackled, clearly because he was slow, not because he was running at them.

Or you know, Haden could run a 4.4 forty at Gator Pro Day after he decides to not start his run by looking like he is taking a dump.

What To Say About Dan Werner?

2010-03-02T09:20:09Z

More photos » Phil Sandlin - AP

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Tonight is Senior Night for Dan Werner the only remaining player from the Class of 2006. I have not met nor interviewed Werner, so I will tell this story as an example of Werner's influence on Gator basketball.

On Nov. 14, 2008, Florida defeated Toledo 80-58 on Opening Night. Leaving the O'Dome, I was walking behind two frat guys who were having this conversation.

"Man, Werner played good tonight. He had 19 points."

"Nahhh, man. You can't say that, or Werner will keep shooting."

And such is the life of Werner at UF. I think he tried hard, but he lacked the focus and skill to be a starter in the SEC. This isn't his fault, as he never should have been put in this position in the first place. But rather than embrace it, he turtled. It created an unstable situation for him as some nights, Werner was Lee Humphrey and others he was in witness protection. That trickled to the team and made it seem as if UF was playing shorthanded with Werner on the floor.

Werner has been seeing a sports psychologist to address why his numbers have dropped in the last three seasons. I sincerely hope that Werner has a mental block, rather than a real mental issue. The problem is that this is too little, too late. Werner's senior season would have been successful if he took how seriously his offensive problems were and not lean back on knowing the intangibles. He is a senior, he should know the intangibles.

I also hope that Werner is not booed tonight. I don't expect him to be cheered wildly, but with thousands of empty seats again at the O'Dome, maybe silence is the most fitting tribute to Werner.

Alligator Army Off-Topic: The First Day Of Spring

2010-03-02T08:52:09Z

The first official day of Spring is March 21. For sports fans, Spring begins earlier. For some, Spring will begin March 17 with the Gators opening spring practice. Others will celebrate the first day of Spring a day later, by taking a long lunch or skipping school to watch the first games of the NCAA Tournament.

Before I was a Gator, I was a catcher for the Northside Major Yankees and center for the Tampa Bay Cyclones, so today holds a soft spot in my heart. March 2 means Spring Training begins and the NHL resumes a full schedule running up to the best postseason in all of sports. That is my start of Spring.

When I worked for the Toronto Blue Jays, I got to see how much Spring Training means to those stuck in snow. Living here, Spring Training is just another month on the calendar. But to fans from Detroit, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, the chance to spend a couple of bucks to sit in the sun in March is a dream come true. And to be able to watch an intersquad scrimmage at the training complex (for free!) is the most beautiful thing in the world. For 100 years, Spring Training in Florida has not changed. The four teams I mentioned have made their Florida spring bases icons back home. The Tigers have been in Lakeland since 1946, Phillies in Clearwater since 1947, Pirates in Bradenton since 1969, and the Blue Jays in Dunedin since 1977 (their only spring home).

As baseball begins, hockey ends with the best part of the season. The Stanley Cup playoffs, with 16 of 30 teams making the tournament, is the pro version of NCAA basketball. While the playoffs are not as good as the Olympic hockey tournament, they do include fighting, which is a necessary part of the game. Enforcers act as police on the ice, protecting the stars. One of the best was the New York Islanders' Clark Gillies, seen here beating the hell out of Philadelphia Flyers' Dave Hoyda for a cheap shot on the Isles' Mike Bossy. (Google Clark Gillies. He was a real motherf'er.)

The fight eventually became a bench clearing brawl (called linebrawls) during a time when the NHL could not figure out a way to govern fighting. Seven years later, linebrawls had not been outlawed. That was when a young Montreal Canadiens team with Chris Chelios and Patrick Roy (on the way to winning the 1986 Stanley Cup) played the Bruins in the Boston Garden. It begins with Chelios getting his ass kicked and ends with a linebrawl as the fight continues on the ice and under the stands. Watch for Roy (#33) at the 3:45 mark.

If you're thinking about watching the NHL after watching the Olympics, don't worry, there are no more linebrawls.

SEC Basketball Power Poll February 28 - March 6

2010-03-01T18:36:39Z

Our SEC Basketball Power Poll. Final results at Garnet and Black Attack.

1. Kentucky: Still the class of the league but road games have been a high wire act. Losses at South Carolina and Tennessee, close wins at Auburn (5 points), Mississippi State (6 points, OT) and Vanderbilt (2 points).

2. Tennessee: All Bruce Pearl does is win big regular season games. Is this the year he takes UT beyond the Sweet Sixteen?

3. Vanderbilt: The only thing stopping the Commodores is their defense. They are 7th overall (69.4ppg), but 11th in SEC play (75.1ppg).

4. Mississippi State: They answered the (cow)bell and have won five of their last six including a road win at South Carolina. Winning the SEC West and one or two SEC Tournament games gives them a good case for the SEC's fourth tourney bid.

5. Florida: Nice to see the Gators still have not learned from the last two failures of a season. Losing at Georgia after destroying Tennessee is embarrassing. Chandler Parsons (18ppg, 8rpg in last seven games) is not embarrassing.

6. Mississippi: Still have an outside shot at the SEC West, but have to win out and need Miss State to drop two. Winning out will make them at least 2nd in the West and a tourney first round bye.

7. Georgia: Of Georgia's nine SEC losses, seven were by single digits. They are better than you think. Trey Thompkins will cause problems for Patrick Patterson and DeMarcus Cousins Wednesday in Athens.

8. Arkansas: Courtney Fortson continues to score but the Hogs have run out of gas. Finishing at Tennessee and vs. Ole Miss will hurt them more.

9. Auburn: Like Georgia, the Tigers are a young team with a terrible road record, 2-8. I never understood why more rebuilding teams don't go on the road for OOC play. They pay off in experience and better RPI rankings.

10. South Carolina: Devan Downey keeps scoring, but the Gamecocks have lost five in a row and 9 of 12 games. Ouch.

11. Alabama: They play very hard and great defense, but shoot so bad they can't hit Mobile Bay from Jubilee Parkway.

12. LSU: Tasmin Mitchell did not deserve to be on an 0-fer team. Very happy LSU finally won in the league.

Dan Werner's Career Ends In Florida's 78-76 loss at Georgia

2010-02-27T23:31:21Z

The long journey of senior Dan Werner came to an end Saturday evening in Athens, Georgia when his attempted shot/pass was swatted out of bounds and Florida lost to Georgia 78-76. The loss puts Florida (20-9, 9-5 SEC) 4th in the SEC East. It also makes the final stretch of Vanderbilt and Kentucky and securing an NCAA bid that much harder.

With 13:30 left, Florida was down 60-45, but rallied to make it 78-76 with 1:42 left. After great defensive stands by the Bulldogs (13-14, 5-9) and Gators, Florida had the ball with 13 seconds left. With Erving Walker (7pts, 2-9 shooting) and Chandler Parsons (29pts, 10-16 shooting) covered, Parsons found a wide open Dan Werner on the right wing about 17 feet away from the hoop. Werner hesitated, left his feet not knowing to shoot or pass, and his half shot/half pass was put into the first row. Werner finished with 4 points on 2-8 shooting.

Parsons was a man amongst boys, as the Gators could never support him until the mad dash rally late. Kenny Boynton scored 22 (8-13 shooting) and Vernon Macklin got 10 (5-8) but could not pull down late rebounds. Alex Tyus did not score.

Georgia's man on the floor, Trey Thompkins, scored 20 points and was generally a monster. He had seven rebounds, five assists and made both of his threes. The Dogs shot 57% and made 7-13 three-pointers. The Gators could not get inside, resulting in 23 three-point attempts, making 11.

The Gators face Vandy (22-6, 11-3) in Gainesville on Tuesday night.

Gator Basketball @ Georgia

2010-02-27T16:57:10Z

Phil Sandlin - AP

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Ten conference wins is a magic number for any at-large team. With a win today at Georgia, the Gators would get to ten wins and firm up their chances of an NCAA bid.

The Gators (20-8, 9-4 SEC) cannot take the Bulldogs lightly however. Georgia (12-14, 4-9) is 12-3 in home games, and has defeated Illinois, Georgia Tech, Tennessee and Vanderbilt in Athens. In their previous game, a Florida 87-71 win over the Dogs a month ago, UGA forward Trey Thompkins scored 24 points (10-12 shooting) as the Dogs shot nearly 60%. Florida still has not figured out a way to slow a dominant big man and they probably won't do it today. Thompkins has scored in double digits in 22 of 26 games this season and has four double-doubles in SEC play. The sophomore is shooting 50% and 76% from the line.

While UGA leans on their big, Florida needs to find a way to get Erving Walker and Kenny Boynton shooting more efficiently. The guards did this in their last game against Tennessee, scoring a combined 31 points on 9 of 19 shooting. But remember what was a big storyline of that game; UF getting points inside. When the Gators work inside-out, opposition guards have to sink in the zone, giving space to UF's undersized guards. Boynton has started going to the hole, rather than running in and curling out. Walker was freed up enough to make 3 of 4 triples, his most made since the UGA game on January 27. Walker also made threes in transition, which isn't ideal, but gives him the opening needed to shoot.

For Florida to be successful today, they need to limit the damage from Thompkins and score inside to open up Boynton and Walker.