As much as you may disagree

[No1GatorFreak]

Yeah, it sucks to get beat like that but this is basketball after all. Tourney seeding is very important and also how we are playing is crucial. Lets just hope we didn't peak at the wrong time. We have a great shot at a #1 or #2 seed still and more importantly lets hope that we are playing some stellar ball going into the postseason. If we win the SEC Tourney and enter March as a #2 seed then we will be right where we need to be. There really isn't a difference between a 1 seed or 2 seed anyhow. This really isn't a loss to be too alarmed about. It was just a bad game for the Gators. Still got a lot of our big games coming up. Our boys are having a terrific season so far and I'm sure we will be at least a #2 seed come March. IF the boys can make it to the Final Four in ATL I will most certainly be there and can't wait!

[swampgas44]

Originally Posted by happygatorguy

IBTM...my first !!

??? Acronyms suck.

[HALLGATOR]

Originally Posted by swampgas44

??? Acronyms suck.

Means "in before the move" and usually refers to a thread which was started in the wrong forum or one that could be moved for other reasons such as having political overtones. Thus a member will make a post before the thread is moved to another forum.

[iam4uf]

Part fluke, part good play on the part of Arkansas but to what do we attribute our poor play? "Off night", distracted by media, fatigue from a lot of road games/limited rotation?

[tegator80]

What I saw was the essence of college basketball. A raucous crowd firing up the home team who shoots lights out and plays passionate defense. The other team, while talented, doesn't have that special player who can take over the game and keep things from getting too far out of reach. We are a team that the whole is definitely stronger than the sum of its parts. Last night was a mostly a bunch of parts and they lost - rather badly. I think they now know that they can't not show up and win in any away venue.

Now is the time for the senior leadership to make sure that these moments don't happen for the remainder of the season. And it would help if we can avoid the injury bug and maybe develop one more freshman as a defensive player, just in case.

[Matthanuf06]

What we may have needed was a close game where we got to practice some end game sets, a final shot, inbounding in critical spots, pressure FTs, etc. AND win such a game.

Getting blown out answers none of the questions we had a day ago. It's not the end of the world by any stretch, but there really is no silver lining.

[REM08]

I'm just not sold that any team "needs" to do something other than win games by as much as possible. I think teams need to be tested - in so far as a team coming out and playing very well against them, maybe even in a tough environment. But I'm not sure the "need" has to include a close game, adversity, or a wake up call.

If you see a team get blown out (which isn't 11 points), then maybe after the game I'd suggest that hopefully it will get their attention or something along those lines. But, if I gave you the choice for any game on your schedule - that it could be a "wake up call" or an easy win, when exactly are you NOT going to pick the easy win? "Nah, I think it'd be better if we lost this one..." Dont' see this happening or being helpful.

I can picture Donovan hoping that his team gets tested by other teams playing great against them. But do you really think he wants any other response from his team than still winning by as much as possible? Just my opinion, but I don't think so.

Cal was asked this question last year after losing to Indiana. He said that every coach will try and use lessons from a loss to help their team grow, but that in the end, he still wants to take the other teams best shot and still win every game by 40. Maybe some coaches feel differently, but I'd bet most fall along these lines. He added that if players are coach-able (its about execution), they can learn end of game situations in practice, instead of needing close game after close game during the season.

[gatorbogey]

re-sets the team. re-focuses when you lose.
humbles the fanbase a bit, and the team too, to lose.

everyone playing UF will target us. it's a big game. we need to realize that every team here on out is going to come at us like gangbusters! we need to anticipate that; expect it, and match it.

[tegator80]

Originally Posted by REM08

I'm just not sold that any team "needs" to do something other than win games by as much as possible. I think teams need to be tested - in so far as a team coming out and playing very well against them, maybe even in a tough environment. But I'm not sure the "need" has to include a close game, adversity, or a wake up call....

I think that what most of the posters want to embrace (rationalize?) is that this team isn't built for going undefeated (already lost two early) and going undefeated in the SEC isn't that big of a deal. Getting focused, and humility, during the regular season is MUCH better than being the '90/'91 UNLV team (34-1). Not that this team is that good but you get the drift.

[qwghlmgator]

Originally Posted by tegator80

I think that what most of the posters want to embrace (rationalize?) is that this team isn't built for going undefeated (already lost two early) and going undefeated in the SEC isn't that big of a deal. Getting focused, and humility, during the regular season is MUCH better than being the '90/'91 UNLV team (34-1). Not that this team is that good but you get the drift.

So getting a regular season wake-up call is better than getting paid to throw the national championship? I agree!

[gulfgator]

Originally Posted by ovillegator

We've had a couple of these already. Sloppy D, bad ball handling, no offense. Even when we get the ball inside, we hesitate on what to do.

We can shake out of it, but hard in an away building.

I believe I recall we lost 2 in a row about this time the year we won a NC.

Just to add perspective, UF had rough stretches with both championship teams.

The 06 team lost 3 straight toward the end of the season
The 07 team lost 3/4 in the middle of the season

Heck, even last years great 8 team lost the last 3 regular season games, 4 out of the last 5.

Bad game?.... yes, but no reason to panic.