AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2007 > April > 01 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USAnybody doubt Gators now?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Mark Bradley
Asked yet again about this repeating business, Billy Donovan said Friday: “You’ve got to get to Monday night first.” His Florida Gators are there now, there with the same stubborn players who have pointed toward this Monday night since that Monday night in Indianapolis 12 months ago.
“I think our guys know,” Donovan said Saturday, “if the result [Monday] is for us, what that means.”
The Gators are back in the NCAA final, their long slog toward basketball immortality almost done. They haven’t yet had the Christian Laettner moment that Duke needed to repeat in 1992, haven’t yet run upon an opponent with the skill and the will to make them consider the dark possibility of elimination. Maybe Ohio State will be that test. Then again, maybe these Gators are so good that nobody can graze them.
UCLA was thought to be a severe impediment, the UCLA that Florida had handled easily 12 months ago, the UCLA of razor-wire defense and Howlin’ Ben Howland. But the Bruins, who’d stared down a hugely gifted Kansas team in the West Regional final, were reduced to a series of blinks Saturday night.
Their best player, Arron Afflalo, was whistled for his second foul in the game’s second minute and his third in the ninth. Florida let the Bruins linger for a bit, but soon the Gator lead was 16 points and Howlin’ Ben was calling his last — yes, his last — timeout with 13:49 to go. Once again, Florida had reminded us that it’s nice to be tough, but it’s better still to be tough and talented.
Florida can take a blow and deliver one. Florida can win with its big men playing big or its little men punching above their weight. Should the Gators prevail Monday, they’ll be ushered into Hoops Valhalla, but truth to tell they belong there already.
They’re exactly the sort of team — big and swift and deep and seasoned — we weren’t supposed to see in latter-day basketball. They’re a retro bunch in a microwave world. They play the sort of game that wouldn’t have been out of place in John Wooden’s day or even Hank Iba’s. They share the ball and defend like demons, and obviously they love playing with one another. If they didn’t, three of them would be in the NBA.
And they fit together. Unlike Kansas or North Carolina, there’s no duplication of resources. Every Gator has a clearly defined (and willingly accepted) role. As Lee Humphrey, whose four baskets in the first eight minutes of the second half drained the life from UCLA, said Friday: “Each one of us brings something the other guys can’t.”
Consider Humphrey. Without Taurean Green to get him the ball and Joakim Noah and Al Horford to draw double-teams down low, he’d be just another standstill jump shooter. On Florida he’s the game-breaker, the man who hits no shot except those that cause the opposition to drop its head in submission.
Or consider Chris Richard. He’s the third-best big man on his team, but if you put him on UCLA he might well have been the Bruins’ leading scorer. For two seasons Richard has been content to spell Noah or Horford, and Saturday he outplayed both. He scored 16 points, and a succession of Richard putbacks had the neutrals in the crowd headed for the exits before the game’s final TV timeout.
The big rematch had long since been rendered a numbing rerun, and now the Gators must play one more team they’ve already dispatched. They beat Ohio State by 26 points on Dec. 23, and 16 days later their football team whipped the Buckeyes by 27. Don’t expect a similar rout this time, but at this late date does anybody really envision Florida losing?
Somebody? Anybody?
Permalink | Comments (10) | Post your comment | Categories: Final Four, Mark Bradley
Comments
By Bruin
April 1, 2007 1:10 AM | Link to this
I doubt the sincerity of the officiating when Afflalo ends up with three fouls in the first half. That was a pathetic display by the officials. They ruined any chance of a good game by calling ticky-tack fouls on UCLA early, but especially the three on Afflalo. Afflalo went off for 17 points in the final 6:18 of the game. That should give you an idea of how crippled UCLA was by the officials.
Florida didn’t need any help tonight, but they got it for the officiating crew. A special turd shout-out to Ben Howland for putting Afflalo back in the game to pick up that third foul. I thought he was a smart coach. The game was close. No reason to put Afflalo back in and risk the officials hammering you again.
By Paul
April 1, 2007 2:08 AM | Link to this
Both games were awful. Especially this one. Hard to believe these are the best teams. No wonder basketball stinks so bad.
By Atlanta Gator
April 1, 2007 4:10 AM | Link to this
Mark——No gloating or premature celebrating for this Gator (and I hope no others, either). No jinxing the Gator kids with bad-form fan behavior. I hope they will win, and I think they will, but I also expect that the Buckeyes will play their best game of the year. The Buckeyes’ pride was hurt in that 86-60 December loss in Gainesville, and they will be plenty motivated to play hard against the Gators Monday night. This time, the Buckeyes will have their star freshman (Oden) 100% healthy and now well-seasoned. It should be a great game——may the best team win.
By Darrin "The Vent King"
April 1, 2007 9:26 AM | Link to this
Gators roll again, what else is new? Say what you will about this particular game, but time and time again this TEAM proves team chemistry trumps individual “star” power anyday. These Gatorboys play like they live to play the team game and the results are beautiful. One game it’s Taurean Green, next game it’s Horford, then Humphries, and last night it was Corey Brewer. And the biggest target is also it’s heart and soul every game in J. Noah. Having said that, Ohio State is more of a “team” than people would like to give them credit for because of the “star” power of Greg Oden and they are very respected by this Gator fan. Heck, they seem to play just as good without Oden on the floor. This has happened more than once in this tourney. Even though we smack them around pretty good earlier in the season, this is a different day and different game and I expect a better fight from OSU this time. Win or lose though, this has been a great ride and I will definitely miss this Gator squad next year and beyond. Hopefully the Gators can win so as to convince Billy Donovan to stay in Gainesville and tell Kentucky and their unrealistic, snobbish, think their “ish” don’t stink fan base to take a hike. Any program that can run off a class act like Tubby Smith doesn’t deserve a coach like Donovan. All they would do is stress him to death thinking their birthrite is to rule SEC b-ball. Wake up dummies, a new day is upon you.
GO GATORS!!!!
By Paul in J-ville
April 1, 2007 10:49 AM | Link to this
I’m a loyal Ga. bulldawg fan but give credit to where credit is due. Like any GREAT team, the Gators knew they could “coast” into the SEC tourney with a few losses just to “turn on the afterburners” once the real season began…. in the tourney. These guys are not only talented and well coached, but they are very savy and know exactly what to do and when to do it.
The Buckeyes, as good as they are, stand no chance whatsoever beating this team. The Gators have far too many weapons that I’m not sure if any team in the last 30 years could beat in the tourney, not even Duke, the FAB 5, or Kentucky.
How amazing would it be (unrealistic) if these guys returned next year for a chance to 3-peat? Noah certainly might want to because he loves the college atmoshphere and has the where-with-all to get by financially, but I think Horford, and Brewer will put their hat into the NBA without question. Its a shame though, I really believe they could do it.
Don’t worry Gator fans, Donovan will never go to Kentucky….its a terrible job that he is much too smart to take.
By Doesn't Really Matter
April 1, 2007 11:06 AM | Link to this
Bruin:
Bitter? Party of 1, your table is ready!
By Rexd
April 1, 2007 11:11 AM | Link to this
So many haters … whining about the officiating, etc… when will you all admit that UF is just a good team?
UCLA’s defensive strategy was apparently to sag inside and let Humphrey and Brewer hit open threes. Not so smart, it turns out.
Yes Afflalo going out hurt UCLA, but if Humphrey had hit the wide open shots he had in the first half, it would have been a non-issue. Also, if Afflalo didn’t want to sit on the bench, he probably should have stopped fouling guys.
By reza
April 1, 2007 11:45 AM | Link to this
Words could not describe the overhelming power of the Florida Gators.Ohio State Buckeyes wishes that there was not such a thing as Florida. It is a nightmere for the Buckeyes again. Football and now basketball. Go Gators.
By Mr. Two Bits
April 1, 2007 12:18 PM | Link to this
Bruin - Sat next to one of your fellow supporters last night. You all must have been coached in excuse theory in California before you made the trip. In defense of your post, the guy in the stands was much worse. I didn’t understand it until he explained it to me, but Noah actually is really not that good! He was hero-framed by the media and the refs in last year’s title game and they were all doing the same in the 1st half last night. I say 1st half because I didn’t hear a peep from him in the 2nd.
It would have been nice to hear that the Gators simply are a better team.
Anyway, unless you have a rational (or irrational) hatred of all things UF (which we Gators cetainly return in earnest!), there is no reason to root against this Gator squad. Passionate about the game, play as a team, no off-court drama, etc. This is a great group of young men and I hope they are fortunate enough to handle a good OSU team tomorrow night and firmly solidify their place in college hoops history.
By Galator
April 1, 2007 3:11 PM | Link to this
Quote
“…For two seasons Richard has been content to spell Noah or Horford, and Saturday he outplayed both. He scored 16 …”
I wouldn’t write that Richard outplayed either Horford or Noah….more accurately, he outplayed them on offense….Horford had 17 rebounds….Noah had several blocks..11 rebounds….and much more.