I remember

[InstiGATOR1]

I remember Kenny Boynton picking UF and watching him play with what I thought was a high basketball IQ particularly for an all star game in the McDonald’s All American game that year. I remember Boynton being a scorer from the start and getting his career high so far of 28 points against Vandy as a true frosh. I remember as Soph Boynton scoring 27 points and playing great defense on Fredette against BYU, I guess I really knew UF was in trouble when Boynton fouled out early in the second OT period. I remember a career of game after game of high scoring combined with solid defense. I remember going through the career grind game after game and not getting hurt. Boynton was always ready to play, as I remember. I remember as a SR, Boynton being a big part in one of UF’s best defensive teams while remaining a solid scorer.

I remember when Eric Murphy signed with UF, another big offensive minded guy from New England. I remember Murphy making that game winning put back against FSU as a Soph. That is when I knew he could be a player at UF. I remember him scoring 10 of UF’s 55 points in that FSU game. I remember Eric Murphy’s perfect shooting night against Wisconsin as a SR in which he matched his career point total of 24 he established the year before against UK. I remember Eric Murphy not letting a poor shooting night keep him from contributing with 10 rebounds against Marquette in the NCAA tourney his JR season. I remember various foot and rib injuries trying to slow his career but Murphy not allowing it. I remember a very hot shooting SR year.

I remember Mike Rosario tweeting about transferring to UF after his visit. I remember looking back over his stats at Rutgers to see what his game was like pre-UF. I remember the various “White Mike” stories and practice rumors as Rosario sat out waiting to play for UF. I remember Rosario breaking out of the gate fast and scoring a lot early at UF. I remember some JR year injuries that slowed him down. I can remember a play late in that year against UK, I think, that showed me Rosario could play defense at the UF level. I remember Rosario’s career high in scoring of 22 against Auburn as a SR. I remember a guy scoring game in and game out in the SEC as a SR. I remember a slashing guard who could usually take his man off the dribble to the rim.

With these Seniors overall, I remember a lot of highs, a few lows and a bit of trouble. I remember 3 straight, soon to be four straight trips to the NCAA tourney. I remember 99 wins that hopefully will grow to 100+ and two SEC titles. I remember great NCAA victories and frustrating NCAA losses. [I am still trying to figure out what Eric Murphy did that was an offensive foul in that Butler game.] I remember 3 guys who came in and were willing to work, be teammates and play for a team rather than for themselves. It seems to have worked out pretty well for them and for UF fans.

[jcp]

[gatorbogey]

nice post

[gatorcal]

Nice sentiments and 3 great Gators. Does anyone know if there is a specific start time for the pregame ceremony Wednesday? I will be driving in and cutting it close.

[gatorfan96]

Post of the year so far!

And I agree about Murphy's offensive foul against Butler. I think he breathed on the defender and was called for the foul.

[HALLGATOR]

Very nice. The time really goes by fast.

[tommyuf21]

Great tribute to three terrific Gators. It's been a lot of fun to watch them play and hope that the run goes on for several more weeks.

[akaGatorhoops]

Awesome!!! What a great post! This is a nice thread idea. . . Posting recollections of our seniors.
Great, great post.

[akaGatorhoops]

I remember reading about a local kid named Kenny Boynton and his thoughts of playing at uf. I remember going to one of his high school games and hoping like hell he would be a gator.

I remember coming to the realization the Eric Murphy was much more than a good shooter, and watching in awe as he played a perfect basketball game.

I remember meeting Mike Rosario during the Georgetown game aboard the naval sharp and being impressed by how genuine and humble he seemed.

[regurgigator]

Bravo! Bravo!

[InstiGATOR1]

I am really glad to see others adding their own remembrances. I usually ask people to do this in my post, but I forgot this year.

[ravishing]

I'm driving up from Orlando on Wednesday to support these three guys and thank them for giving their heart and soul to Florida and providing us with great memories over the past 3-4 years. Thanks guys! They all deserve a standing ovation and O'dome shattering round of applause.

[rivergator]

Nice post. What a great group of guys.

[REM08]

Well said.

[twodaparty]

Go Gators! So proud to call these guys Gators!

[grant1]

Nice post, a bit inflated, but OK.

I remember BD complaining that MR will sit out due to a hang nail.

[InstiGATOR1]

Originally Posted by grant1

Nice post, a bit inflated, but OK.

Not inflated but slanted to the positive. Usually when I do these post and I don't do them every year, I try to skew positive. It is their SR night. It is not like I am known as afraid to criticize players.

[bullish]

Thanks for the memories guys!

I think I will always see Kenny as a defensive minded, hard driving type of chap who always finishes around the rim. His classic jump, bump and double pump to get the foul and his layup, most times goes in. One of a kind. His streaky shooting drives me nuts sometimes, but he always does something good when he is out there. Great 4 year player.

Murphy always had a good stroke, but most of all he has matured in his being a man that leads. I am going to miss this guy. I like the poster the Rowdie Reptiles have of him screaming, that is burned in my memory. Against Wisconsin, he had a game I know the other team would like to forget. Can you imagine their coach in practice after that game. LOL

Flashy Mike, I remember him in the McDonalds All Star game. He could score. We need him to score consistently to get to where we want to go this year. I hope for him and all of us its a great ending. Light'em up Mike!

Good Luck in life guys, I hope it all works out and thanks for the memories!

[BA69MA72]

Kenny Boynton--master of the 4-point play!

[tommyuf21]

I don't think it was a coincidence that our two year exile from the NCAA tourney ended when Kenny Boynton arrived in Gainesville.