http://gatorcountry.com/basketball/ GatorCountry.com basketball news feed English ray@gatorcountry.com Copyright 2013 2013-05-15T14:15:00-05:00 http://www.gatorcountry.com/basketball/article/top_talent_headed_to_the_odome/17192 {title_permalink=http://www.gatorcountry.com/basketball/article/top_talent_headed_to_the_odome/17192/article}#When:14:15:00Z
It's hard to recall a year that had more potential superstars then the group of freshmen that will take to the courts of college basketball next season. Lucky for you and me, a ton of them will be coming to Gainesville.

In fact, according to ESPN rankings, Florida will share the court with 13 of the top 16 and 23 of the top 50 freshmen in the country next season. Mind you, two of those top sixteen will be wearing Orange and Blue. Feel free to take a second to wipe some sweat from your forehead.]]> 2013-05-15T14:15:00-05:00 http://www.gatorcountry.com/basketball/article/devon_walker_transferring_from_florida/17152 {title_permalink=http://www.gatorcountry.com/basketball/article/devon_walker_transferring_from_florida/17152/article}#When:19:09:00Z
]]> 2013-05-06T19:09:00-05:00 http://www.gatorcountry.com/basketball/article/florida_to_host_kansas_next_season/17142 {title_permalink=http://www.gatorcountry.com/basketball/article/florida_to_host_kansas_next_season/17142/article}#When:16:00:00Z
Only weeks after University Athletic Association teased Gator fans with a promised match-up versus a “traditional Big XII power”, the presumed and much desired contest with Kansas University was confirmed when the Jayhawks released their out of conference schedule earlier this week.

The Gators will host the basketball powerhouse in Gainesville on December 10, as part of the first ever SEC-Big XII Challenge. ]]> 2013-05-04T16:00:00-05:00 http://www.gatorcountry.com/basketball/article/braxton_ogbueze_to_transfer/17134 {title_permalink=http://www.gatorcountry.com/basketball/article/braxton_ogbueze_to_transfer/17134/article}#When:16:40:00Z
Ogbueze played sparingly his first year on campus and would be fighting for playing time next year alongside Scottie Wilbekin and incoming freshmen Kasey Hill. Ogbueze is a small point guard with strong handles and a solid jump shot. ]]> 2013-05-01T16:40:00-05:00 http://www.gatorcountry.com/basketball/article/eli_carter_to_transfer_to_florida/17132 {title_permalink=http://www.gatorcountry.com/basketball/article/eli_carter_to_transfer_to_florida/17132/article}#When:18:59:00Z 2013-04-30T18:59:00-05:00 http://www.gatorcountry.com/basketball/article/gators_in_the_nba_playoffs/17062 {title_permalink=http://www.gatorcountry.com/basketball/article/gators_in_the_nba_playoffs/17062/article}#When:20:08:00Z
A look at the Gators participating in the 2013 NBA Playoffs:

Eastern Conference:

Mike Miller, Miami Heat

Miller has had a solid 12-year NBA career and has been a vital role player since joining the Miami Heat. Drafted fifth overall by the Orlando Magic in 2000, Miller has found his niche as a three-point specialist and solid defender. The clutch shooting guard averaged 4.8 ppg, 1.7 apg and 2.7 rpg this season and has come on strong late. Preparing for a run at a second consecutive NBA championship, Miller has averaged 12.1 ppg, 4.9 rpg and 3.8 apg in the month of April alone. ]]> 2013-04-19T20:08:00-05:00 http://www.gatorcountry.com/basketball/article/gators_to_add_two_top_transfers_in_2013/17020 {title_permalink=http://www.gatorcountry.com/basketball/article/gators_to_add_two_top_transfers_in_2013/17020/article}#When:17:23:00Z
The big news Monday was the return of Patric Young, who will bolster an already strong lineup heading into 2013. The Gators were already aligned to have a great frontcourt next season and with the newly added additions may have one of, if not the best, frontcourt in the country in 2013 due to their depth and talent.

Let us start with Virginia Tech transfer Dorian Finney-Smith, or “Doe-Doe” as he is nicknamed. Finney-Smith comes to Florida after spending one year at Virginia Tech. After a coaching change, the 6’8”, 210lb small forward decided to transfer. In a down year overall as transfer markets go, Finney-Smith was considered the gem, as he had some serious raw talent as the 22nd ranked player in the country coming out of high school. Dorian chose the Gators over Marquette, Georgetown, Iowa State, Villanova, Texas and Alabama. ]]> 2013-04-12T17:23:00-05:00 http://www.gatorcountry.com/basketball/article/basketballs_freshman_impact/17016 {title_permalink=http://www.gatorcountry.com/basketball/article/basketballs_freshman_impact/17016/article}#When:19:34:00Z
With that, the collegiate careers of Kenny Boynton, Erik Murphy and Mike Rosario were also over, unofficially ushering in a new era of Florida basketball.

Fans were undoubtedly disheartened by Florida’s third consecutive bounce from the Elite Eight in as many years, but for some, the pain may have been easier to bear upon realizing the talent that will dot the Gators’ roster next season.

While losing three proven talents is stinging to any program, Billy Donovan will have a plethora of talented athletes at his disposal next year. However, Donovan is hoping that expectations by fans and the players themselves are tempered heading into the newcomers’ arrivals.

“I'm always cautious,” Donovan said. “I think one of the things that happens a lot of the times is when guys come in as freshmen and whether they're McDonald's All-American or those things, there's an automatic expectation.]]> 2013-04-11T19:34:00-05:00 http://www.gatorcountry.com/basketball/article/young_to_return_for_senior_year/16997 {title_permalink=http://www.gatorcountry.com/basketball/article/young_to_return_for_senior_year/16997/article}#When:18:01:00Z 2013-04-08T18:01:00-05:00 http://www.gatorcountry.com/basketball/article/stuck_in_stage_four/16972 {title_permalink=http://www.gatorcountry.com/basketball/article/stuck_in_stage_four/16972/article}#When:19:49:00Z
In fact, I typically loiter here from the moment the final horn ends Gator basketball season until sometime the following week.

This is why an Elite Eight game on Easter Sunday has been something less than ideal during the past two years.

Stage 4?

According to the Kiebler-Ross model (don't ask--- I don't know Kiebler from the cookie elf), "Depression" is the fourth of five grief stages.

It is also the reason I have been avoided like a Biblical-times lepper during my family's Easter dinner.

"He's doing ok---- I think. Just leave him alone," I hear my siblings, aunts and parents whisper.]]> 2013-04-04T19:49:00-05:00