It was a gallant effort by Billy Donovan and Florida Basketball this season. Despite losing all 5 starters from their National Championship team -- they almost managed to get back to the NCAA Tournament. Alas, it was not to be as they lost in the first round of the SEC tournament to Alabama.
The Gators got a bid to the NIT tournament. They made it all the way to the NIT's "Final Four" where they lost to UMASS. Not bad for an "off-year."
Florida basketball will be stronger next season ('08-'09). More to come on that....
Prior Discussion:
University of Florida Gators Basketball has become a college basketball powerhouse with much thanks to the direction of head coach Billy Donovan, who has been with the team since 1996. Read more about him at our new Billy Donovan Biography.
David Lee Playing College Basketball.
Thanks to bjsmith at flickr.com for the picture.
Of course, you will remember that Donovan almost left the Gators for the NBA in the off season. In fact, he signed on with the Orlando Magic, only to change his mind 24 hours later.
Very smart move. If he stays with the Gators, Donovan will have many great teams for many years and ultimately be known as one of the best college basketball coaches of all time.
The Gators won the SEC basketball championship in 2005, 2006, and 2007 and are one of only three schools to win the title for three consecutive years. Of course, they won back-to-back national championships in 2006 and 2007 and became the first team to accomplish this feat in over fifteen years.
Last season, Florida finished with a 35-5 record and, as noted above, were SEC and NCAA Basketball Champs.
Some argue the 2005-2007 Florida Basketball teams were the best in college basketball history. Certainly, Billy Donovan and his Gators have done much to raise the stature of SEC Basketball. See Best College Basketball Conference.
But, the 2007 – 2008 season will be very different. The Gators lost all five starters (4 to the NBA draft: Joakim Noah, Corey Brewer, Teurean Green, and Al Horford) and only have four returning players.
However, Florida basketball had the nation's top recruiting class and, of course, are led by a great college basketball coach. Junior guard Walter Hodge will be a key asset this season after averaging nearly six points per game and hitting fifty percent from the three-point range. Forward Jonathan Mitchell is expected to play well and is impressive from three-point range.
The Gators will see a new addition to their staff this year after Rob Lanier signed on as assistant coach. Lanier, who will replace Donne Jones, previously coached for Virginia where he experienced great success.
Prediction: Florida will get better and better as the season progresses. They'll end up 4th in the SEC East, but with a nice, winning record. They'll get an NIT bid and make a run in the NIT. Look out for Florida basketball in the future.
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