Good Preview of AZ-UF

[corpgator]

http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/69938/weekend-watch-florida-arizona-preview

Has us pulling out a squeaker. SI has us losing because Az needs the win more.

[mfpardnor2]

Go Gators!!!

[NoahBeanBizzel]

Going across the country to pick up a win at 10 pm isn't easy. However, this Gator team can do it. Great depth, a defense that harasses everybody, and versatility on offense are what this has. Should be a great game to watch.

[MJGator8104]

http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/69938/weekend-watch-florida-arizona-preview

Has us pulling out a squeaker. SI has us losing because Az needs the win more.

Despite SI's belief that Az wins because they need the win more (with the implication that Az will therefore try harder than UF), my personal belief is that because our team takes a lot of pride in their defense (more so than in their offense), unless someone can say Az has a decided upgrade in talent, even if young, over our team (which I haven't heard), our D holds them to a season low and we win by our usual margin...

[gatorbogey]

great game to break this week-long gator "hoops-fast" we've been on.

was thinking - late start shouldn't really impact us, i mean, 10 pm is usually when UF students begin thinking about going out on the town on a saturday evening.

[Colin]

http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/69938/weekend-watch-florida-arizona-preview

SI has us losing because Az needs the win more.

I've never understood this line of thinking in sports, because each team should want to win each game. Anyway, I don't think Billy lets the Gators feel anything other than a desire to dominate each game, so want and need is not going to be a factor in the game, IMO.

[gator85jd]

USA Today's article on the game. Good quotes from Billy on where our team is right now.

"I think our guys understand that Arizona is a terrific team, and I think a much, better team than they were last year and that team came in here and had every opportunity to win the game. We were able to pull away in overtime, but they are much, much better this year than they were a year ago. So I think our guys understand the challenge in front of them going out there,'' Donovan said.

As for the high rankings of both clubs, Donovan said he isn't sure the Gators warrant the top five spot.

"We haven't played enough games to warrant that. You ultimately find out where your ranking is and how well you fare at the end of the season,'' he said. "I've never really been a big believer of all the preseason hype, expectations and rankings. We've played seven basketball games, so for me to sit there and say that we're one of the five best teams in the country, I'm not so sure I agree with that. But I'm not so sure that at the end of the year, we can't be. But right now, to say with seven games that we are, I think I'd be hard pressed to say because we haven't played enough games.''

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaab/2012/12/15/florida-arizona-preview-sean-miller-billy-donovan/1771165/

[rounds]

Lyons, their transfer from Xavier at PG is really a 2. He is a turnover machine at PG, especially against a team like UF.

[rserina]

Bilas really does a nice job. He comes off as a terribly pro-Duke, pompous rear sometimes, but he loves Donovan and breaks down the game in far more detail than other "purists" and with more hoops acumen than the stats geeks.

[brianobriano]

Heading to Tucsson now. PHX Gator Club bringing 200 strong. Partnered up with San Diego Gator Club.

GO GATORS

[gatorbogey]

Heading to Tucsson now. PHX Gator Club bringing 200 strong. Partnered up with San Diego Gator Club.

GO GATORS

great news! go 'rowdy reptile' on the wildcats

[tommyuf21]

great game to break this week-long gator "hoops-fast" we've been on.

was thinking - late start shouldn't really impact us, i mean, 10 pm is usually when UF students begin thinking about going out on the town on a saturday evening.

I don't see where late starts hurt anyone.

I would think going east is much more of a disadvantage, especially in a quick turnaround.

I could be wrong, but that's the way it effects me when I travel.