Alligator Army

Tennessee defeats Florida 89-86.

• When Tennessee took the lead with 7:41 left, I thought UF could still win. But when they went up by 10? That was it. Even though Florida would tie it and had a shot to tie on their last possession, the effort needed to come back took too much out of the tank. The Gators wasted possessions in the second half and had too many turnovers. As has been a theme with this team, they don't know how to keep the tempo and play each possession with the same manner as the previous one.
• In the wake of the Gators attempt to win and Lucas' great defensive play to set up a final possession, don't forget that the defense was horrifying. I don't expect Lucas, at 5-foot-9, to be a lock down defender, but everyone else has no excuse. I hate to pick on him (because I did it last year to my friends and that was even unfair) but Dan Werner needs to figure out something. He was getting moved around the box and was getting owned for a huge stretch of the second half. After the Gators tied it at 85-85, Tennessee missed two free throws, but Tyler Smith scored on the offensive rebound. Who was supposed to be boxing out Smith? Take a guess. (Yes, I know Werner had 16 points. He also fouled out for the second game in a row.)
• How about this for a starting five; Parsons, Speights and Tyus in the front court with Calathes and Hodge as the guards. Think about it. You lose Werner's offense, but Tyus is better defensively. Lucas is out, but Calathes would run the offense with a guy who does the dirty work and a winger who can score and has size. Lucas has energy, but he doesn't get open to shoot. His three points Wednesday could have been from UT's size on him, but he also only took four shots.
• Tennessee had 20 bench points and Florida 6. UF also had 14 turnovers and UT 7. Both stats are a result of a lack of depth.
• Well, that Kentucky game is pretty huge now, uh? It will take a pretty special run by the Gators to get to the NCAAs now, probably getting to the SEC semis. The problem is this team has not shown they are capable of that. Also, Florida will be going for their 8th consecutive win over the Wildcats. I want to believe, but no one wins eight in a row against anyone.
• I started following Gator Basketball when Donovan was hired (since he grew up on the same street as my father), but when he got the technical arguing the blown over-and-back call, that was the most upset I have ever seen him. It was like the frustration all of us have as fans was channeled by Billy at that precise moment. The whole time we've been cursing or pounding the couch cushions but Billy has been calm. He finally let off some steam last night.
• I have to say, this has been a strange season to follow. When I was in school, my mood would rise and fall with the fortunes of the basketball and football teams. (That's to be expected. When you're in college, two things are taken way too seriously; sports and women.) Last year I would still lose my mind, but this football season I was able to move on after a loss. But basketball? No way. I actually had chest pains after the game. I'm two years out of UF and I'm still freaking out about the basketball team? That's either really immature or good because I apparently have nothing better to worry about.
• The last defending champion to miss the NCAAs was Kansas in 1989, but that was due to NCAA sanctions. To quote Urban Meyer, someone needs to, "Nut up," if Florida wants to get to the tournament.