Another close game. Another choke.

[bullish]

This game reminds me of the movie "Ground Hog Day". You keep waking up to a nightmare over and over. I laugh about it this morning, but I won't watch ESPN for a week since they will show us over and over, our collapse. If people on here don't like the terms people are throwing out here, don't worry, with the tournament seedings coming, every sports show on TV will be talking about Florida's late season collapse and why they are a 3 or 4 seed heading for a Fargo regional.

Nashville will be a neutral setting, but it is close to knoxville and lexington, so we are basically on the road in a hostile enviroment, get past the first gimme game and we meet a team with a pulse, I know it will be close near the end of the game and I will hear the alarm clock go off, ring ring ring. The next thing we will hear is clang or a whistle for a charge. I guess with this team some things never change on the road. Only Billy or the players can change this, this is why Bilas ripped us last night and why we will continue to ripped unless we change late game collapses.

[GatorRade]

Originally Posted by wci347

We have lost every close game we've played this year. This is not a 50-50 sometimes it goes our way and sometimes it doesn't. We had more success with close games last year than this one. If we are either 10 up or 10 down with 8 minutes to go in the game, and we aren't at home, the game is basically over. That's what this season has shown us. Absolutely no one steps up, and in fact players actually start making bad decisions, and play like deer in a headlight. You would not expect that from A senior and junior starting five. The allowed a bunch of freshman who are thinking about the NBA and could care less about the SEC and the NCAA tournament out tough them when it mattered.

This theme of disappearing in the second half on the road is a recurring one, and is one which will be hard to shed come tournament time.

I think you are missing my point(s).

1) I didn't mean to say that we should win 50% of our close games, I meant that this game was a 50-50 probability. If it ended at 8 min to go, we win handily. If it ended at 15 min to go, they win handily. It's not like we had a giant lead that let go in the last 8 seconds.

2) Would you rather win the close ones and lose the blowouts or vice versa? If this team wins a close one or two in the postseason, will you consider it luck? Or did they suddenly become clutch? Does it matter to you that we won't play another road game this year?

[luciaboy]

unfortunately, our play down the stretch will certainly be used by every rival coach. after watching us implode five times this season, any opponent should feel confident that if they are within 6-10 points with <10 minutes to play then they should win. we are giving confidence to teams that should be put away. as was mentioned before, not one of our players is clutch or even wants the ball.

[Swampmaster]

hopefully, uk and ut get upset in round 1--they will have 99% of the fans in nashville and uf doesn't play well in front of hostile crowds

[ncg8or]

Originally Posted by luciaboy

not one of our players is clutch or even wants the ball.

We have a bunch of good players, but no leader, no heart, and no superstar. When was the last team that won the NCAA title with a team like this? We'll be lucky to be playing on the 2nd weekend...

[gulfgator]

Originally Posted by Swampmaster

hopefully, uk and ut get upset in round 1--they will have 99% of the fans in nashville and uf doesn't play well in front of hostile crowds

Bring em' on. Seriously, UF would still be favored and the more opportunity to play tougher games before the NCAA's, the better.

[gulfgator]

BTW, there are some serious chicken little fans on this board. The future for this team isn't written, if some think it is, they are kidding themselves.

[gatorsfan530]

Originally Posted by UFG8rGuy3283

You guys are ridiculous. Go back to watching football.

UK had to have this game. We already won the regular season. Instead of complaining, how about enjoying what has been another great season.

Amen

[SmootyGator]

Originally Posted by lhnewman

its the "pattern" that's most disturbing...

I see the "pattern" as we're undefeated in non true road games. If this disturbing "pattern" continues we'll win out and win the SECt and the NCAA.

[SmootyGator]

Another disturbing "pattern": We've made it to the Elite 8 twice in a row.

[UFish]

Originally Posted by luciaboy

unfortunately, our play down the stretch will certainly be used by every rival coach. after watching us implode five times this season, any opponent should feel confident that if they are within 6-10 points with <10 minutes to play then they should win. we are giving confidence to teams that should be put away. as was mentioned before, not one of our players is clutch or even wants the ball.

Which is why I would honestly rather this team, against decent teams, be down 5-9 with 10 minutes to go than up by 9-13.

[SmootyGator]

Originally Posted by luciaboy

not one of our players is clutch or even wants the ball.

Maybe he's not clutch, but I'm pretty sure KB wants the ball.

[ncbullgator]

Here we go again.

[number1]

This was much better though. We had the looks(just didn't go in) and didn't have as many "dumb" moments like we had in the other games.

[JaxLizard]

Ole Miss played a nearly flawless second half. Can't call this a choke other than poor free throw shooting and no inside game hurt us.

[gator1986]

Originally Posted by JaxLizard

Ole Miss played a nearly flawless second half. Can't call this a choke other than poor free throw shooting and no inside game hurt us.

Poor free throw shooting is choking.

[tommyuf21]

This wasn't a choke. This was a result of not having a consistent inside presence.