Official Final: Florida-78 vs Air Force-61, Saturday, 4:30 PM, FSN

[HALLGATOR]

The Gators return to the court after lackluster showing at KSU, and a subsequent loss, which saw Coach Donovan questioning the effort put forth by by some of the players. Coach wasn't alone in this assessment as many of our fans were left wondering where the team that look so dominant just a few weeks ago disappeared to. If the team is going to have a good season and make a serious run in the post-season then it is going to require a better effort than what we saw in the last game.

Next up is the Orange Bowl Classic in Sunrise Fl. where the team will face the 8-2 Air Force Falcons. Although the Falcons haven't notched a win over any ranked team they did play a 11-1 Wichita State team very close so the guys cannot afford another let down like the last one.

Here's hoping we see a much more focused team come tomorrow and a beginning to another winning streak.

Pregame notes are available here (http://www.gatorzone.com/basketball/men/)

You can listen to Mick and Mark here (http://www.wruf.com/listen-live/)

For those who may not have read it there is a nice overview of the Falcons in a thread started by itcpilot, a visiting Air Force fan. You can read it here (http://www.gatorcountry.com/swampgas/showthread.php?t=252362)

[LoyalGatorFan]

After looking at the stats, if we can contain that Lyons kid, we will be fine...our D better step up because it looks like this team can shoot...

[InstiGATOR1]

The AFA also has some height for an academy team. They have a 6'10" guy and a couple of 6'7"/6'6" guys in their rotation.

[gatorjjh]

If we get off to a good start this should be over by halftime, if we stumble around it could be interesting into the last 10 minutes

[gatordavisl]

Just found out my folks' house in Gawja gets Sunsports. Game on!

[HALLGATOR]

Just found out my folks' house in Gawja gets Sunsports. Game on!

Good deal!

[lean_gator]

Go time!

[lean_gator]

Murph!

[ApexNC]

Another poor start for the good guys

[born2beagator]

Just not feeling anything with this team the last few games. Something is wrong.

[lean_gator]

Still can't shoot freethrows

[Jonas]

Eh, we tend to have slow starts even for games we've dominated iirc

[lean_gator]

Frustrating

[born2beagator]

Get your crap together Gators. No excuse for this level of play with the talent we have this season.

[HALLGATOR]

Looks like we are starting to heat up.

[born2beagator]

Frustrating

yup, yet another team hot from the 3 against us. I really wish we would get mean every once and a while. Give up a foul and knock someone down. make them think twice about chucking up those 3s

[ApexNC]

yup, yet another team hot from the 3 against us. I really wish we would get mean every once and a while. Give up a foul and knock someone down. make them think twice about chucking up those 3s

Yeah, giving up way too many open threes at the start

[gatordavisl]

Credit Frazier for stimulating the switch in momentum. But a bad shot there . . . ooops!

[HALLGATOR]

yup, yet another team hot from the 3 against us. I really wish we would get mean every once and a while. Give up a foul and knock someone down. make them think twice about chucking up those 3s

That's silly

[UFSECKINGS]

So damn sloppy..

[ApexNC]

Oh for the days when people were complaining that we weren't ranked in the top 3

[co_gator89]

KB's shot is broken.

[ApexNC]

Wilbekin's killing us

[ApexNC]

well, THAT worked!

[ApexNC]

ok...now I'll go...KB is killing us

[born2beagator]

3-11 on 3s. Wish we could get PY going in the paint

[gatordavisl]

AF hitting some threes to keep them right in this game.

[HALLGATOR]

3 of their starters with 2 fouls now

[BengermanV]

Not looking good! Hope this is just a funk we are in lately, and not the norm.

[ApexNC]

3 of their starters with 2 fouls now

Bodes well for us pulling away late

[born2beagator]

Take the 3 away and AF is screwed. Easier said than done by the looks of it.

[tegator80]

What Romanian gypsy did the team hit on the way back from Tallahassee? The tempo is WAY off from the pace earlier in the season. And the jacking 3s is coming back and it is affecting their intensity on D. Has our PG play been exposed and everyone now knows how to play us? I hope it is more about early season fatigue and finals hangover.

[mjbuf05]

Boynton shouldnt shoot another shot this season, maybe free throws.

[born2beagator]

What Romanian gypsy did the team hit on the way back from Tallahassee? The tempo is WAY off from the pace earlier in the season. And the jacking 3s is coming back and it is affecting their intensity on D. Has our PG play been exposed and everyone now knows how to play us? I hope it is more about early season fatigue and finals hangover.

I hope so. I'm beginning to think there is a deeper problem with this team though. To come out flat like this after the last game is concerning.

[HALLGATOR]

Boynton shouldnt shoot another shot this season, maybe free throws.

You were saying?

[ApexNC]

Great play by KB!

[mjbuf05]

Ok, off balance floaters are ok also

[born2beagator]

For the love of.....SOMEONE put a cap on these 3s!!! Its the only reason this game is close

[mjbuf05]

Watching louisville in the other tv is depressing. We arent near that level.

[iam4uf]

UF is up against another team throwing up all kinds of shots up that go in. Wilbekin has been playing out of control on offense for many of his possessions lately.

[ufgator4ever]

AF hitting some threes to keep them right in this game.

Funny how that happens again. Gators perimeter d is not great when shorter guards are late getting to shooters.

Boynton has nelsonitis. Don't see him providing offense this year, so someone else needs to step up.

[NorthCaptivaGator]

Threes are keeping them in it, they have some nice looking shooters. Nice crowd here but quiet, like a morgue. Come on Gators get up and Go!

[ovillegator]

Santa Clara took #1 Duke to halftime down by 2 today, and lost by a bundle.

Hopefully we'll tire them out.

[born2beagator]

Santa Clara took #1 Duke to halftime down by 2 today, and lost by a bundle.

Hopefully we'll tire them out.

If they keep throwing in 3s like this, we won't.

Is it our defense? Why the heck do teams seem to shoot out of their minds from 3 against us?

[lean_gator]

Crap

[born2beagator]

I'm really starting to get mad at this team.

[HALLGATOR]

Will looking at the women in the crowd it seems

[born2beagator]

So now the defense decided to check out, thats cool I guess.

[twodaparty]

Can someone PLEASE post an internet feed for us out of state folks with no FSN?? Game is NOT on espn3.com

Thank you!!

[ApexNC]

I think it IS our defense, born

[NorthCaptivaGator]

Will looking at the women in the crowd it seems

There are quite a few to look at here!

Well, we've got a game, at least I'll get my money's worth, off to get another 14 dollar beer

[born2beagator]

Here comes the 3 at the end of the half to pull within one <_<

[tegator80]

Can someone PLEASE post an internet feed for us out of state folks with no FSN?? Game is NOT on espn3.com

Thank you!!

http://www.thefirstrow.eu/watch/160851/1/watch-air-force-vs-14-florida.html

[born2beagator]

Jump down their throats at the half Billy. This is unacceptable

[gatordavisl]

Can someone PLEASE post an internet feed for us out of state folks with no FSN?? Game is NOT on espn3.com

Thank you!!
Try this (http://www.thefirstrow.eu/sport/basketball.html). You can always watch games here. Disregard the prompts for "HD" or paying anything. Just wait for the add to end, then click play.

[HALLGATOR]

There are quite a few to look at here!

Well, we've got a game, at least I'll get my money's worth, off to get another 14 dollar beer

I haven't been to a venue like that in a long time so I don't know if you are kidding about the cost of a beer or not. If not then that is insane.

[twodaparty]

http://www.thefirstrow.eu/watch/160851/1/watch-air-force-vs-14-florida.html

Thank you!! Hall, I think it would be a GREAT idea if you or someone on NBN worked with tegator80 or whoever to get a link like the one he provided in the FIRST post of every game thread so that folks can watch the game on the internet! Just an idea. I don't even know what the score is! Go Gators!

[co_gator89]

This team may not be as good as we thought it was.

[sec1]

I'm very disappointed in this team , we are not playing well together at all and making bad choices on shooting , this was my main concern coming into this season , we are not playing well at all, coach D needs to turn this team around

[LeesGator]

AF make a pair of 3's with the shot clock running down. Give them credit for hitting those. Take those away and AF has a 25 point half, not too bad defensively. We need to score some more. PY and Murphy missed a couple of point blank shots over much smaller defenders.

[mjbuf05]

This team may not be as good as we thought it was.

This, the teams we have beaten will turn out to not be very good teams.

[g8tr80]

This team may not be as good as we thought it was.

At the game. Air Force is shooting lights out even with our guys in their faces. Our problem is our offense. Right now we suck at it.

We are not as good as we once thought.

[Jonas]

Really need KB to get out of his slump. Offense needs some help.

[mdgator05]

What has happened to this team? They looked so dominant earlier this year, and despite the anger over how the Arizona game went, we outplayed a top 10 team on the road for most of that game and would have won with better refs.

But now Kansas State and Air Force are beating us/giving us trouble?

[alietigator]

Guys we can't beat every team by 30. Air Force is not a bad team at all. Look at who they lost to and any team that can shoot is difficult to beat. Lets see how they play in the second half.

[tegator80]

Uh ref, that wasn't a foul. Please pay attention.

[lean_gator]

Nice move Pat

[ApexNC]

anybody else think Murph got up rather gingerly there?

[HALLGATOR]

anybody else think Murph got up rather gingerly there?

Didn't look like it on the last couple of plays

[lean_gator]

Yes!

[HALLGATOR]

5 points from our bench so far

[tegator80]

Amazing what a little pacing does for the play of the team. Now just keep ratcheting it up and get the game over.

[HALLGATOR]

43-34 Gators

[lean_gator]

Prather with the flush.

[HALLGATOR]

We have to get back quicker

[HALLGATOR]

49-40 with 12:12 left in the game

[lean_gator]

Playing with alot more energy now

[alietigator]

People always over react in the first half. They play a style we have yet to see yet, it takes a bit to adjust

[ApexNC]

KB hitting a couple of shots appears to have awakened the team

[HALLGATOR]

Bench with 11 points and 7 boards now

[gatordavisl]

Two refs. Two different calls. No announcement. What gives?

[gatordavisl]

And I guess they just made up a new rule there, calling the foul both ways. :roll:

[tegator80]

Silly call by the refs. Can't make a decision so we will punt.

[ufgator4ever]

Can someone PLEASE post an internet feed for us out of state folks with no FSN?? Game is NOT on espn3.com

Thank you!!
BWs is only place I know that gets this channel. Only the SECtourney is worse when it comes to availibilty. How the orange bowl classic helps the gators, I have no idea. Nobody outside the stdium can see it.

[iam4uf]

Wilbekin playing like Rosario used to, role change, lol.

[HALLGATOR]

Erik is leading in both points and rebounds. 13 and 6

[born2beagator]

9 3s for AF.

Only reason they are in the game

[BengermanV]

We have looked a lot better this half. Looks like Boynton may have found his stroke!

[NorthCaptivaGator]

I haven't been to a venue like that in a long time so I don't know if you are kidding about the cost of a beer or not. If not then that is insane.

14 bucks for a 24 oz Heineken - welcome to Miami

[NorthCaptivaGator]

Murphy really working hard on both ends, has been on the deck a lot

Scotty gives away as many as he steals

KB, is he back? Hope so!

[HALLGATOR]

14 bucks for a 24 oz Heineken - welcome to Miami

Thanks, but even if I still drank alcohol I would never enjoy it at that price.

[born2beagator]

Close it out strong please

[born2beagator]

Nice mugging. Surprised the refs called it

[HALLGATOR]

65-52 Florida with the lead

[born2beagator]

LOVE the hook by Young, need more of that

[HALLGATOR]

Erik and Scottie both with 4 fouls

[born2beagator]

14-21 from the line

[born2beagator]

Sloppy, sloppy pass leads to points for AF.

Don't allow a late run

[born2beagator]

This announcer thinks everyone is still chasing the Wildcats.

[NorthCaptivaGator]

Uhhhgggg


Can Ogubieze not play at all? Scottie is brutal up top

[tegator80]

They are content to play at the slow pace and take a win instead of trying to figure out how to speed things up. Not a very impressive showing regardless of the score.

[born2beagator]

What a disgusting series of plays. Box that guy out of there!

[twodaparty]

This announcer thinks everyone is still chasing the Wildcats.

Yeah I heard that on the internet feed. What an annoying comment from a Gator announcer.

[born2beagator]

Way to stay with it Casey

[HALLGATOR]

75-59 with 59 ticks left

[lean_gator]

Done deal.

[born2beagator]

22 points in the paint in the 2nd half. Need to get PY going earlier in the future

[HALLGATOR]

Florida with a strong 2nd half.

Final: 78-61

[HALLGATOR]

45-30 scoring edge in this half

[tegator80]

Well, perhaps the minutes for Casey will help him work the kinks out of his game. He could be the missing piece if he does. I am afraid that Wilby has reached his ceiling. Not bad but not championship caliber PG play. If we embrace a defense first team, the PG play will be minimized.

[NorthCaptivaGator]

Murphy with the MVP. His best game since Wisconsin. Hopefully he and KB are back to full form for the SEC schedule

[mjbuf05]

This announcer thinks everyone is still chasing the Wildcats.

We will struggle mightily with UK and their size. I would be happy to go 1-1 against them.

[tommyuf21]

We will struggle mightily with UK and their size. I would be happy to go 1-1 against them.

I think we'll split with Missouri and UK. No way this team sweeps the league. However, 14-4 in the SEC would probably be good enough for the regular season title.

[mjbuf05]

I think we'll split with Missouri and UK. No way this team sweeps the league. However, 14-4 in the SEC would probably be good enough for the regular season title.

Agreed.

[Singaporegator]

Been busy here in Vermont. We have an Inn in a ski area and got two feet of snow last three days. Came late to the thread but if was interesting to read through it knowing how the game ended. We just beat a pretty good team by 17 points but from reading the posts you would think we were run off the court by Savannah State. You always loose a few in basketball. Maybe it's the football school effect. Lose a game and your season is over....Not. We will not go undefeated in the SEC but we will make the tourney with a decent seed and probably go past the first weekend. These guys do seem to like playing together and Billy will have them ready in March. Count on it. Go Gata!

[mjbuf05]

Air force was picked to finish last in the MWC and will probably not even make the NIT. Happy with the win but a very uninspiring performance.

[mjbuf05]

Lets not pretend that we beat a good team.

[gtr2x]

Yeah I heard that on the internet feed. What an annoying comment from a Gator announcer.

Didn't hear the comment so I'm not sure who it came from, but rich waltz did the play by play on TV. He is the Marlins play by play guy and moonlights with b ball. Not a Gator.

[gatorbogey]

observations on the game:
was just a couple of seats away from being selected to take the halftime shot. [got to remember to practice a little next year leading up to the game, just in case].

gators have alot of players from the state of florida compared to fsu, which has only 2. that's noteworthy, imo. and good to see.

another good thing to see is KB getting his shot back.

we scored alot, but it seemed like a major struggle.

seemed like air force was scoring at will, half the time, too. felt like we were barely winning, i guess the excruciating 1st half carried-over in my perception.

somehow, we need to get a section of rowdy reptiles for these 'neutral' court games within the state. if a section of gator fans is cheering, maybe the rest of the fans will join in. we fans just need a leader - a 'cheer' leader to lead the way. of course, it is fun to hear the coaches call out the plays and even announce or alert the team to what the defense is playing.

we missed about every warmup shot. i think frazier was the only one that hit a few. really cold shooting - that carried over into the first half it seemed.

like the pre-game warmups. noticed they were doing some yoga like stretches - a modified twisting triangle pose?

murphy was solid. liked wilbekin's 'd' in the 2nd half. need to get will yeguete going, seems like he's [maybe] thinking too much out there. prather made some nice contributions. things go betting getting it into patric young in the low post [or murphy].

basketball is pretty darn physical when you see it at this level up close. i sometimes lose my appreciation of the effort they are putting forth on the court.

airforce played well. well coached.

[ufgator4ever]

I think we'll split with Missouri and UK. No way this team sweeps the league. However, 14-4 in the SEC would probably be good enough for the regular season title.

I'm thinking 12-6 is more likely, given inconsistencies on offense. 4-5 on road, 8-1 at home.
Watched a lot of kentucky-louisville today. Cats are getting better. They have ridiculous length/height. Could be a scary team come march.

[tommyuf21]

I'm thinking 12-6 is more likely, given inconsistencies on offense. 4-5 on road, 8-1 at home.
Watched a lot of kentucky-louisville today. Cats are getting better. They have ridiculous length/height. Could be a scary team come march.

Looking at the schedule, six losses would be serious underachievement. I know some doubts have crept in, but I think those are a result of overzealous early expectations, not because this is a mediocre team.

So far, we have looked very good at home. I don't expect that to change. The most difficult road games are at UK, Missouri and UT. We get Vandy (usually a tough road site) at home only and Arky doesn't look very good so far.

So, if you allow for a split of the three toughies and one unexpected home loss, you get to 14-4. Two more losses would require dropping two games to the likes of sub 500 league teams. Could it happen, well, sure it could. However, I think we're better than that.

[gulfgator]

Lets not pretend that we beat a good team.

lets not pretend Air Force is a bad team

They are 8-3 with the losses to #5 RPI Colorado, #10 RPI UF and #16 RPI Wichita St

it works both ways.

[mjbuf05]

lets not pretend Air Force is a bad team

They are 8-3 with the losses to #5 RPI Colorado, #10 RPI UF and #16 RPI Wichita St

it works both ways.

Care to list their wins?

[gulfgator]

Care to list their wins?


Not really...

[mjbuf05]

lets not pretend Air Force is a bad team

They are 8-3 with the losses to #5 RPI Colorado, #10 RPI UF and #16 RPI Wichita St

it works both ways.

So they have lost to the 3 teams they have played worth a damn. The best win was vs army. what about them makes you think they are a good team? The probably win 2-3 in the mwc.

[SwampFox]

So they have lost to the 3 teams they have played worth a damn. The best win was vs army. what about them makes you think they are a good team? The probably win 2-3 in the mwc.

And we beat them by 17. And your point is?......other than us not being an NC caliber team, which few are.

:smoke:

[mjbuf05]

And we beat them by 17. And your point is?......other than us not being an NC caliber team, which few are.

:smoke:

My point seemed to be pretty clear. Air force isn't a good team. Some have said otherwise. Didn't say anything about us or our margin of victory.

[swampgas44]

16-2

[SwampFox]

My point seemed to be pretty clear. Air force isn't a good team. Some have said otherwise. Didn't say anything about us or our margin of victory.

They have played pretty competitive with the teams they've lost to. so good is a relative term but they are worthy of respect and any victory is a good victory, but AF is not an NCAA Tournament team, yes, I'd agree.

[gtr2x]

Not really...

Nice one, made me laugh.

[tommyuf21]

They have played pretty competitive with the teams they've lost to. so good is a relative term but they are worthy of respect and any victory is a good victory, but AF is not an NCAA Tournament team, yes, I'd agree.

I thought that this would be a 10-15 point win, comfortable but not a blow out per se. It pretty much went as I expected.

[GatorJeff]

So they have lost to the 3 teams they have played worth a damn. The best win was vs army. what about them makes you think they are a good team? The probably win 2-3 in the mwc.

Guess what? Air Force is now 5-2 in the Mountain West, including a victory over nationally ranked San Diego State last night. Guess your attempt to denigrate the Gators wasn't real astute, was it?

If Air Force somehow loses their remaining nine conference games and has to forfeit 2 or 3 that they've already won, then your prediction will be right on target.

[jcp]

And how are we doing? :D

[GatorJeff]

Air force was picked to finish last in the MWC and will probably not even make the NIT. Happy with the win but a very uninspiring performance.

Uninspiring, ehh? Looking more and more like a 17 point win over a quality team.

[GatorJeff]

And how are we doing? :D

Pretty doggone good!!