SI Article: Mike Gets Religion

[tegator80]

It explains a lot about BD's approach to developing kids. Sometimes it takes a few years to get the message across.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/college-basketball/news/20130201/florida-mike-rosario/?sct=hp_wr_a3&eref=sihp

[gatorbogey]

really good article.
loved the analogy of the 'backyard' too.

Mike's got the personality to be special [as a person], the tutoring by BD is helping him to grow into that special person. he's got the game to be special in basketball as well and BD is helping to cultivate that talent further.

[jjenkins5]

This exemplifies why I like college sports. Set aside all the basketball lessons and improvements - which are too numerous to count - that Mike has made under Billy, and you're left with a young man far better prepared to function as a productive citizen in the world as a result of being mentored by a caring coach in a supportive, collegiate environment. Stories like these make me so proud that Billy is our coach! I'm also proud of Rosario for the courage and discipline to change. Go Gators!

[Go2gtr]

Billy has affected such changes with three of our most important players, Rosario, Young, Murphy and even Scottie to some extent with the early season discipline. He helps young men grow up. I swell with pride that I know him and that he is our coach.

[gatorbogey]

yeah, this is the type of story that just makes you very proud BD is our coach! you see billy pacing the court during the game and while you admire him that much more from stories like this - not just about the titles and wins, you know. there's so much more about him than just the game coach - he's orchestrating the program on so many levels that go unseen by the casual fan.

[fox]

Great story - gives excellent perspective on the numerous transfers we've had over the years. I've always understood it's Billy's way or the highway and Billy's way is the road you want to be on if you are a for-real dude.

[IowaGator]

This last paragraph speaks volumes about the BD way!!

"This team reminds me a lot of that team because we enjoy playing with each other, and most importantly, we all are focused on one thing as a team, and that's to win, win, win," Rosario said. "No matter what it is, no matter what we gotta go though, on the road or at home, at the end of the game we have to win. That's something my teammates understand on this Florida team. We gotta worry about what's going on now. Not what happened in the past, not what happened two days ago. It's on to the next. We have to be living in the now."

Read More: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/college-basketball/news/20130201/florida-mike-rosario/#ixzz2JlDnegCm

[HALLGATOR]

This exemplifies why I like college sports. Set aside all the basketball lessons and improvements - which are too numerous to count - that Mike has made under Billy, and you're left with a young man far better prepared to function as a productive citizen in the world as a result of being mentored by a caring coach in a supportive, collegiate environment. Stories like these make me so proud that Billy is our coach! I'm also proud of Rosario for the courage and discipline to change. Go Gators!

Totally agree.

[rserina]

Thanks for the link and all of the comments in this thread are quite apt. Donovan has always been very hard on kids because he is committed to doing things a certain way, like any elite head coach. Elite freshmen in particular bristle at that, but when they get it, it sticks. There is a reason Florida doesn't have prima donnas at the next level. Every Gator, from Haslem, Bonner, and Miller down to Parsons, with very few exceptions, Donovan products have great work ethics, well-rounded games, and compete the right way when they get on the court.

[Go2gtr]

Don't forget David Lee (who doesn't get the respect he deserves) or the obvious Noah, Horford and Brewer.

[rserina]

Don't forget David Lee (who doesn't get the respect he deserves) or the obvious Noah, Horford and Brewer.
The "from...down to" was chronological and inclusive of them.

[themistocles]

The title of this thread is misleading.

A better one would be: "Why Mike grew up."

or perhaps

"A development story."

[regurgigator]

Agree that is a great article! And, rep to everyone on this thread (that I can rep) :wave:

Great quotes and insight into Rosario's personality. He's one of the guys that everyone really likes even when he was not always being responsible or accountable (and it looked that way watching him when he was sitting on the bench so much, but it's hard to really know when you're just watching).

Respect to Boynton who they mention has only missed 2 workouts in 4 years, compared to the 25 workouts Rosario missed last year. Boynton is a heckuva role model!

Always interesting to hear little snippets of Billy's philosophy, like the part about not trying to create something for yourself, but including teammates to make things easier and get everyone better shots. (I'm a huge fan of Calathes and what he did here at UF, but that's probably exactly what Donovan got on to him for when he benched him that one time. It's a fine line to walk when you're so clearly the top player on a team, and the team is struggling.)

And, like all of Donovan's players, Rosario gets around to commenting on "living in the now" - something that Donovan must preach constantly!

[rserina]

The title of this thread is misleading.

A better one would be: "Why Mike grew up."

or perhaps

"A development story."
Isn't "getting religion" a southern aphorism for growing up?

[NorthCaptivaGator]

Great article! I have liked Rosario since he was the lead cheerleader during his transfer year. He always has a smile. Great to see he has bought in as has Murphy and Young that's what makes this team great these guys finally buying in

[fox]

Isn't "getting religion" a southern aphorism for growing up?

It means he done seen the light and straightened hisself up.

[ncgatorfan]

thanks for sharing article ... BD is the man ... he molds these kids and great to see Mike's game take shape.

[MJGator8104]

It means he done seen the light and straightened hisself up.

Exactly! (tatooed smiley)

[geauxgator1]

He's matured, turned into a man. BD can take the credit for that, but he won't.