Showing posts with label University of Florida Gators. Show all posts
Showing posts with label University of Florida Gators. Show all posts
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Previewing Tampa: The night games
http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/tag/_/name/2011-ncaa-spartans-bruins
No. 15 seed UC Santa Barbara (18-13) vs. No. 2 seed Florida (26-7), 6:50 p.m. ET (TBS)
ABOUT THE GAUCHOS
Coach: Bob Williams (406-269 in 23 seasons, 217-169 in 13 seasons at UCSB)
Last NCAA tournament appearance: 2010
All-time NCAA record: 1-4 in four appearances
Player to watch: Gauchos guard Orlando Johnson is one of the country’s hottest players entering the NCAA tournament. In three games of the Big West tournament last week, Johnson averaged 28.3 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists. He made 12 of 18 3-pointers in victories over Pacific, Cal State Northridge and Long Beach State. Johnson is averaging 21.1 points and 6.3 rebounds this season.
ABOUT THE GATORS
Coach: Billy Donovan (392-166 in 17 seasons, 357-146 in 15 seasons at Florida)
Last NCAA tournament appearance: 2010
All-time NCAA record: 29-13 in 16 appearances
Player to watch: Senior forward Chandler Parsons ranks third on the team in scoring with 11.5 points per game. But Parsons was named SEC player of the year because he does so much else. He leads the Gators in rebounding (7.8) and assists (112) and is shooting 49.6 percent from the floor. Since missing action with a deep thigh bruise, Parsons is averaging 14.9 points, 8.6 rebounds and 4.0 assists in seven games.
THREE THINGS TO WATCH
1. Florida’s start: The Gators have gotten off to slow starts over the past couple of weeks, but they’re dominating opponents in the second half. In their past five games, the Gators averaged 50.2 points after halftime and outscored opponents by an average of 16 points. Florida’s defense has been stellar after halftime, too, holding opponents to only 25 percent on 3-point attempts.
2. Florida’s big men: If the Gators are going to advance beyond the first weekend of the NCAA tournament, they will need to get more help from their interior players. In Florida’s 70-54 loss to Kentucky in the SEC tournament championship game, center Vernon Macklin and forwards Alex Tyus and Patric Young combined for only 16 points and 11 rebounds.
3. Johnson & Nunnally: Johnson gets most of UCSB’s attention, but junior forward James Nunnally is a big-time scorer in his own right. Nunnally averaged 16.4 points and 5.4 rebounds and shot 82.9 percent from the foul line. The Gauchos are difficult to stop when Johnson and Nunnally are shooting well. The pair combined for 52 points in a 72-70 loss at Oregon and 35 points in a 68-62 upset at UNLV -- UCSB’s first win over a ranked opponent since 1993.
No. 15 seed UC Santa Barbara (18-13) vs. No. 2 seed Florida (26-7), 6:50 p.m. ET (TBS)
ABOUT THE GAUCHOS Coach: Bob Williams (406-269 in 23 seasons, 217-169 in 13 seasons at UCSB)
Last NCAA tournament appearance: 2010
All-time NCAA record: 1-4 in four appearances
Player to watch: Gauchos guard Orlando Johnson is one of the country’s hottest players entering the NCAA tournament. In three games of the Big West tournament last week, Johnson averaged 28.3 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists. He made 12 of 18 3-pointers in victories over Pacific, Cal State Northridge and Long Beach State. Johnson is averaging 21.1 points and 6.3 rebounds this season.
ABOUT THE GATORS
Coach: Billy Donovan (392-166 in 17 seasons, 357-146 in 15 seasons at Florida)
Last NCAA tournament appearance: 2010
All-time NCAA record: 29-13 in 16 appearances
Player to watch: Senior forward Chandler Parsons ranks third on the team in scoring with 11.5 points per game. But Parsons was named SEC player of the year because he does so much else. He leads the Gators in rebounding (7.8) and assists (112) and is shooting 49.6 percent from the floor. Since missing action with a deep thigh bruise, Parsons is averaging 14.9 points, 8.6 rebounds and 4.0 assists in seven games.
THREE THINGS TO WATCH
1. Florida’s start: The Gators have gotten off to slow starts over the past couple of weeks, but they’re dominating opponents in the second half. In their past five games, the Gators averaged 50.2 points after halftime and outscored opponents by an average of 16 points. Florida’s defense has been stellar after halftime, too, holding opponents to only 25 percent on 3-point attempts.
2. Florida’s big men: If the Gators are going to advance beyond the first weekend of the NCAA tournament, they will need to get more help from their interior players. In Florida’s 70-54 loss to Kentucky in the SEC tournament championship game, center Vernon Macklin and forwards Alex Tyus and Patric Young combined for only 16 points and 11 rebounds.
3. Johnson & Nunnally: Johnson gets most of UCSB’s attention, but junior forward James Nunnally is a big-time scorer in his own right. Nunnally averaged 16.4 points and 5.4 rebounds and shot 82.9 percent from the foul line. The Gauchos are difficult to stop when Johnson and Nunnally are shooting well. The pair combined for 52 points in a 72-70 loss at Oregon and 35 points in a 68-62 upset at UNLV -- UCSB’s first win over a ranked opponent since 1993.
NCAA Basketball Betting Preview: Florida vs. UC-Santa Barbara
http://www.sportsbettingworld.com/home/ncaa-college-basketball-betting/ncaa-basketball-betting-preview-florida-vs-uc-santa-barbara-15032/
Disclaimer: This article is for informational and entertainment purposes only. Gaucho Hoops does not endorse wagering of any kind, including sporting events.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational and entertainment purposes only. Gaucho Hoops does not endorse wagering of any kind, including sporting events.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Dream and nightmare scenarios
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/tournament/2011/columns/story?columnist=forde_pat&id=6219985
Florida (2)
Best Case: Gifted with a seeding more inflated than post-Civil War Confederate currency, the Gators make a run. The natural No. 4 seed enjoys a soft regional draw, walloping UC Santa Barbara, favorite whipping boy UCLA, Gonzaga and Kansas State to reach a fourth Final Four in 11 years. After three years without an NCAA win, people remember Billy Donovan can coach. Chandler Parsons displays the versatility that made him SEC Player of the Year. Guards Erving Walker and Kenny BoyntonVernon Macklin repays their generosity by scoring consistently in the paint. Gator Nation loses its collective mind when Joakim Noah shoot judiciously and remember to feed the post on occasion. Big man and Tim Tebow show up in Houston for the Final Four. Donovan, who is 3-0 in national semifinals, makes it 4-0 by beating Kansas before the Gators lose to Ohio State in the title game.
Worst Case: Showing that they had no business with a No. 2 seed, the Gators are bounced in the second round by Michigan State. Walker and Boynton combine to shoot 35 times and make nine, feeding the post twice all game. Parsons misses four key free throws, showing the one part of his game that's a glaring weakness. Florida State makes the Sweet 16, and Will Muschamp decides in spring ball that none of his quarterbacks is very good. In a stunning move, Donovan leaves Florida for his alma mater, Providence.
UC Santa Barbara (15) Best Case: Infused with confidence after a surprising Big West Conference tournament championship run, the 18-13 Gauchos are ready for Florida. They are embraced by the 15,000 Kentucky fans in Tampa and ride the hot shooting of underrated Orlando Johnson (21.1 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3 assists) to a stunning halftime lead. UCSB keeps it close before losing in the final minutes, leaving the court to a round of applause from Big Blue Nation. And when it's over, the Gauchos get to return to Santa Barbara, Califl., which is not to be confused with, say, Starkville, Miss.
Worst Case: A team that lost to North Dakota State early, then dropped eight Big West games, is in no way ready to face the SEC champions. Florida treats the Gauchos the way its football team treats an FCS opponent, roaring to a 21-4 lead and playing everyone in a game-long mismatch. Mechanical problems on the flight home force an emergency landing and overnight stay in Starkville.
Florida (2)
Best Case: Gifted with a seeding more inflated than post-Civil War Confederate currency, the Gators make a run. The natural No. 4 seed enjoys a soft regional draw, walloping UC Santa Barbara, favorite whipping boy UCLA, Gonzaga and Kansas State to reach a fourth Final Four in 11 years. After three years without an NCAA win, people remember Billy Donovan can coach. Chandler Parsons displays the versatility that made him SEC Player of the Year. Guards Erving Walker and Kenny BoyntonVernon Macklin repays their generosity by scoring consistently in the paint. Gator Nation loses its collective mind when Joakim Noah shoot judiciously and remember to feed the post on occasion. Big man and Tim Tebow show up in Houston for the Final Four. Donovan, who is 3-0 in national semifinals, makes it 4-0 by beating Kansas before the Gators lose to Ohio State in the title game.
Worst Case: Showing that they had no business with a No. 2 seed, the Gators are bounced in the second round by Michigan State. Walker and Boynton combine to shoot 35 times and make nine, feeding the post twice all game. Parsons misses four key free throws, showing the one part of his game that's a glaring weakness. Florida State makes the Sweet 16, and Will Muschamp decides in spring ball that none of his quarterbacks is very good. In a stunning move, Donovan leaves Florida for his alma mater, Providence.
UC Santa Barbara (15) Best Case: Infused with confidence after a surprising Big West Conference tournament championship run, the 18-13 Gauchos are ready for Florida. They are embraced by the 15,000 Kentucky fans in Tampa and ride the hot shooting of underrated Orlando Johnson (21.1 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3 assists) to a stunning halftime lead. UCSB keeps it close before losing in the final minutes, leaving the court to a round of applause from Big Blue Nation. And when it's over, the Gauchos get to return to Santa Barbara, Califl., which is not to be confused with, say, Starkville, Miss. Worst Case: A team that lost to North Dakota State early, then dropped eight Big West games, is in no way ready to face the SEC champions. Florida treats the Gauchos the way its football team treats an FCS opponent, roaring to a 21-4 lead and playing everyone in a game-long mismatch. Mechanical problems on the flight home force an emergency landing and overnight stay in Starkville.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Inside UCSB: Gauging the Gauchos
http://www.gatorsports.com/article/20110313/ARTICLES/110319739/1136?Title=Inside-UCSB-Gauging-the-Gauchos
The recap is wrong: the Gauchos' last appearance in the NCAA playoffs was 2010 (last year)--not 2002.
The recap is wrong: the Gauchos' last appearance in the NCAA playoffs was 2010 (last year)--not 2002.
NCAA TOURNAMENT: Southeast Region Wide Open
http://nebraska.statepaper.com/vnews/display.v/ART/4d7f00a0adbd9
No. 2 Florida – The Gators are anchored by three tall senior forwards – Chandler Parsons, Alex Tyus and Vernon Macklin – who soldiered through the last three seasons to arrive at this point, where Billy Donovan's rebuilding job appears complete. Point guard Kenny Boynton shoots a little too much for anyone's taste, but he's dangerous in transition. UF has the whole package in its starting five. Its bench is a little shaky.
No. 15 UCSB – Hello, Jim Rome's Gauchos! Guard Orlando Johnson – 21 points per game, 6 rebounds – is one of the better players you've never heard about.
Daily Gaucho UCSB vs. UF StatSheet comparison
http://dailygaucho.com/california-santa-barbara-basketball/compare_stats/florida
Both teams are similar in offensive efficiency, but UCSB turns the ball over more than Florida. The Gators also rebound much better on offense, while the Gauchos get to the foul line slightly more often.
Florida has played a much tougher schedule, and are 13-point favorites. Even though Tampa is technically a neutral site, its close relative proximity to Gainesville makes it essentially a home game for the Gators.
Both teams are similar in offensive efficiency, but UCSB turns the ball over more than Florida. The Gators also rebound much better on offense, while the Gauchos get to the foul line slightly more often.
Florida has played a much tougher schedule, and are 13-point favorites. Even though Tampa is technically a neutral site, its close relative proximity to Gainesville makes it essentially a home game for the Gators.
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