we're all thinking it so I'll ask: Does our lack of competition in the SEC scare you

[pinecrestgator]

It concerns because we could be heading into the tournament without being battle-tested. Obviously, there's nothing our team can do except play their best but I hope we get tested a few times these next 11 games b/c we'll certainly be tested in the tourney. Especially, if we run into those big physical Big Ten teams.

[UFreak]

Absolutely does. Sadly, there is nothing we can do about it. You get good at winning close games by winning close games.
I am concerned with how we will react when we play someone in the tourney and it is going down to the wire.
We have had one game like that this year and it was a complete meltdown of epic proportions.

[madgator]

you worry too much


seriously

what conference really jumps out at your for being tough? The big 10? we played a good team that is competing well against their best....and we killed them

we traveled on the road, across country to play one of the best in the country.

K. St. is a tourney team


Plus, the SEC is not THAT weak. We are going to have to travel to UK, Vandy (always a tough game no matter what), Tennessee is not a bad team.

you might consider that you are over-stating weak competition.....that premise only applies for the PAC-10

[gatorman_07732]

It scares me a bit and I'll just use the analogy of football and FSU in the ACC. I think it is hard to gauge how hard we really are, and the AZ game was a real disappointment.

[xenythx]

It would scare me if we were struggling in our SEC contests, but we're not.

[bofusgators]

I'm not worried at all as, long as we'ge got Billy.

[pinecrestgator]

Originally Posted by UFreak

Absolutely does. Sadly, there is nothing we can do about it. You get good at winning close games by winning close games.
I am concerned with how we will react when we play someone in the tourney and it is going down to the wire.
We have had one game like that this year and it was a complete meltdown of epic proportions.

I've been watching a lot of big ten ball. The teams that we could potentially meet in the sweet 16, Michigan State and Ohio State, will be very tough to handle. We won't blow them out. What happens when it's a close game with 5 minutes left? That is my concern. I hope Kentucky gives us hell in Rupp on March 9th

[MadduxFanII]

As a general rule this isn't something I worry about, but the results are getting so out of hand it's hard not to think about this a little.

I mean, South Carolina is a major conference team. They should not be losing 55-15 in the second half of a game. Last night was basically one of our early-season outings against the likes of Northwest Idaho Tech State A&M. It's hard to see how helpful that sort of game is.

[madgator]

Originally Posted by pinecrestgator

I've been watching a lot of big ten ball. The teams that we could potentially meet in the sweet 16, Michigan State and Ohio State, will be very tough to handle. We won't blow them out. What happens when it's a close game with 5 minutes left? That is my concern. I hope Kentucky gives us hell in Rupp on March 9th

I want nothing to do with Ohio St.

Michigan St. I think we can handle with ease.

[your_perfect_enemy]

when refering to big 10 teams as physical, do you mean slow and boring like their football teams?

[antny]

06 and 07 teams didn't always win close games I believe. The best way not to lose close games is to not play them. Eventually you will lose one no matter how many you play. The ball won't always bounce your way, Bad officiating, foul trouble...

[TheRaid]

I worry about how we will handle close games, end game runs, knowing what to do in adverse situations, not having been there done that. In fact, all we know about that is how poorly we screwed it all up at Arizona. I have no reason to think we know anything more about how to handle those situations than we did that woeful night and that game if you want to call it that against KSU.

And come Tourney time, you rarely have it otherwise. We will have to win several close highly contested games. I am not convinced we can win 1, much less multiples.

[rserina]

No. Playing teams that can beat us scares me. We went on the road to Tucson and Kansas City and hosted Marquette and Wisconsin, plus we will visit Lexington. It may not be the toughest schedule, but we have played some decent teams.

Moreover, seven kids in our rotation were in our rotation last year when we played UK down the stretch twice and made the Elite Eight. Did they forget how to play in tough games over the summer?

[ufgator4ever]

Originally Posted by bofusgators

I'm not worried at all as, long as we'ge got Billy.

Yes, but Billy can't be on the floor with the team. We had Billy the last two years in the Elite 8 games where we folded and again at AZ.
The lack of close games and better competition could be the downfall to this year's squad. Its unfortunate, but nothing they can do about the SEC bball quality.

[swampgas44]

Originally Posted by gatorman_07732

It scares me a bit and I'll just use the analogy of football and FSU in the ACC. I think it is hard to gauge how hard we really are, and the AZ game was a real disappointment.

We win the AZ game in spite of the meltdown had the bs technical on Yeguete for hanging on the rim not been called.

[garygator]

In a word ... absolfreakinlutely.

[gator1986]

We've been tested by a couple different teams? Georgia, Georgetown, Marquette, Arizona, Kansas st, ??

[UFreak]

Originally Posted by rserina

Moreover, seven kids in our rotation were in our rotation last year when we played UK down the stretch twice and made the Elite Eight. Did they forget how to play in tough games over the summer?

I think like anything you get better at it when you do it more often. And you can get rusty at things over the course of a year. Plus, it likely will be a different dynamic on the floor for us in close late games this year. Beal and Erv out, Scottie and Rosario in.

In short, I would like to see us have some games that we need to close out toward the end. For instance, will we try to get the ball to Scottie to close out and rely on him to hit free throws like we did so effectively with Green not so long ago? Or will it be Kenny? Or more of a team and situational approach.

The deadliest thing about our back to back runs is when we had a game by say 10 points with 2:30 left, it was over. You were going to have to foul Green and he was automatic from the line and rarely turned it over in those situations.

[gatorman_07732]

Originally Posted by swampgas44

We win the AZ game in spite of the meltdown had the bs technical on Yeguete for hanging on the rim not been called.

That is what you call an excuse. I didn't like the call either but blaming that for the loss is not accurate when we could handle AZ's pressure.

[themistocles]

I think Mad is correct.

You must realize that this team played the OOC schedule without having Wilbekin as the primary PG, which makes a huge difference in the team's efficacy.

The OOC was quite tough, which is a main reason the Gator's RPI is so high.

The SEC has quite several competitive teams, but this Gator team makes them all look like Division III middle-of-the-roaders the way they are playing now.

I mean, South Carolina just manhandled a decent Arkansas team - who would have expected last nights blowout???

You may recall that Tex A&M had just solidly beaten Ky in Lexington before facing the Gator defense, which they learned is very difficult to score against.

Missouri was considered a decent team due to their OOC play, until the Gators destroyed them.

Note that Marquette is tied for the Big East lead, 2 games ahead of Louisville and tied with Syracuse at 6-1 right now. You may recall that the Marquette coach said that the Gators gave them their worst lost in his 5 year term as head coach. And recall, they play in the top conference, the Big East.

I think you guys are underestimating just how exceptional this team really is. I mean, KenPom has them rated higher than any team ever has been in his ratings, which considers the nature of the competition.

Let me quote a wise and famous fellow, Bob Marley: "Don't Worry. Be Happy."