Comments on: Reloading, Part I: The Gators http://www.bracketography.com/features/reloading-part-i-the-gators/ NCAA Tournament Predictions and Projections Sat, 11 Feb 2012 22:17:54 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: Christopher Mackinder http://www.bracketography.com/features/reloading-part-i-the-gators/comment-page-1/#comment-813 Christopher Mackinder Sat, 02 Feb 2008 18:37:32 +0000 http://www.bracketography.com/features/reloading-part-i-the-gators/#comment-813 @ Nicole: I'm no expert but there seem to be at least a dozen teams that based on their schedules and experience are better Final Four candidates (Kansas, UCLA, Memphis, North Carolina and Georgetown to name a few). Offensively, the Gators are one of the nation's most elite teams (1.183 points per possession is 12th in the nation) but Florida is 64th in the nation in defensive efficiency (.942 opponent points per possession). I see the defense being a major issue, more so than lack of experience. Would I be completely shocked if Florida reached the Final Four? At this moment, not completely shocked. Surprised? Yes. However, there are still plenty of SEC tilts to be played (including today's game at Arkansas and next week's game at Tennessee). We'll revist Florida's chance for a three-peat when the NCAA Tournament field is announced. @ Nicole:

I’m no expert but there seem to be at least a dozen teams that based on their schedules and experience are better Final Four candidates (Kansas, UCLA, Memphis, North Carolina and Georgetown to name a few). Offensively, the Gators are one of the nation’s most elite teams (1.183 points per possession is 12th in the nation) but Florida is 64th in the nation in defensive efficiency (.942 opponent points per possession). I see the defense being a major issue, more so than lack of experience.

Would I be completely shocked if Florida reached the Final Four? At this moment, not completely shocked. Surprised? Yes. However, there are still plenty of SEC tilts to be played (including today’s game at Arkansas and next week’s game at Tennessee). We’ll revist Florida’s chance for a three-peat when the NCAA Tournament field is announced.

]]> By: Nicole http://www.bracketography.com/features/reloading-part-i-the-gators/comment-page-1/#comment-661 Nicole Thu, 24 Jan 2008 19:25:26 +0000 http://www.bracketography.com/features/reloading-part-i-the-gators/#comment-661 What are the chances that the Gators not only make the NCAA Tournament but reach the Final Four? This team is young, but so was Syracuse in '03. I don't believe Florida will, but the young talent will only get better and the SEC is so weak (other than Tennessee) that Florida could build a win streak and take it into the big dance. Thoughts? What are the chances that the Gators not only make the NCAA Tournament but reach the Final Four? This team is young, but so was Syracuse in ’03. I don’t believe Florida will, but the young talent will only get better and the SEC is so weak (other than Tennessee) that Florida could build a win streak and take it into the big dance. Thoughts?

]]> By: Jake http://www.bracketography.com/features/reloading-part-i-the-gators/comment-page-1/#comment-643 Jake Wed, 23 Jan 2008 04:28:14 +0000 http://www.bracketography.com/features/reloading-part-i-the-gators/#comment-643 @ John- Nice! I'm in the front row in between the right three point line and the center line for every game. I had to wait 30+ hours in line to get that seat for the Kentucky game though. I got wristband #35. For College Gameday and a great OT game, it was worth every second in line. @ John- Nice!
I’m in the front row in between the right three point line and the center line for every game.

I had to wait 30+ hours in line to get that seat for the Kentucky game though. I got wristband #35. For College Gameday and a great OT game, it was worth every second in line.

]]> By: John http://www.bracketography.com/features/reloading-part-i-the-gators/comment-page-1/#comment-631 John Tue, 22 Jan 2008 19:04:11 +0000 http://www.bracketography.com/features/reloading-part-i-the-gators/#comment-631 @ David Mihm. Yes they are as safe as everyone says because young teams get better and better as each game goes along. While getting frustrated in front of my TV that they could not put away a pathetic(yes pathetic by their standards) Kentucky team, I now realize close games that are pressure packed are what is best for this team. No game nor team is easy in the SEC, but it helps to avoid Vanderbilt and Tennessee till as late as possible. And Jake i too am a Rowdy Reptile. @ David Mihm. Yes they are as safe as everyone says because young teams get better and better as each game goes along. While getting frustrated in front of my TV that they could not put away a pathetic(yes pathetic by their standards) Kentucky team, I now realize close games that are pressure packed are what is best for this team. No game nor team is easy in the SEC, but it helps to avoid Vanderbilt and Tennessee till as late as possible. And Jake i too am a Rowdy Reptile.

]]> By: David Mihm http://www.bracketography.com/features/reloading-part-i-the-gators/comment-page-1/#comment-629 David Mihm Tue, 22 Jan 2008 17:19:55 +0000 http://www.bracketography.com/features/reloading-part-i-the-gators/#comment-629 @Jake - Calathes and Speights were terrific against Kentucky, no doubt. But I'm not sure that the Gators are as safe for a Tournament bid as everyone seems to think...see my Bubble Watch analysis this week. It'll definitely help to get two chances @ Vandy and Tennessee, being in the SEC East, however. @Jake – Calathes and Speights were terrific against Kentucky, no doubt. But I’m not sure that the Gators are as safe for a Tournament bid as everyone seems to think…see my Bubble Watch analysis this week. It’ll definitely help to get two chances @ Vandy and Tennessee, being in the SEC East, however.

]]> By: Jake http://www.bracketography.com/features/reloading-part-i-the-gators/comment-page-1/#comment-628 Jake Tue, 22 Jan 2008 17:16:10 +0000 http://www.bracketography.com/features/reloading-part-i-the-gators/#comment-628 Great article! As a Rowdy Reptile, I would believe my opinion is as biased as it gets. However, I do believe that this team has great potential for a deep run in March. These last two games have proven that to me. In Oxford, the Gators were getting destroyed most of the game, especially inside. Tack on a lot of missed threes and free throws, and you have a big loss on your hands. Despite all that, the Gators almost pulled the win out of its rear end. That takes determination and toughness. As for last Saturday's night game against Kentucky, I have to say it was Marreese Speights best game ever. I've never seen him play so physically inside. I think he finally gets it. I think he finally understands his purpose. Despite his play, Kentucky almost beat us. Once again, it took great determination and toughness to score a third of our regulation points in a 5 minute span. Nick Calathes took the team on his back to victory. With Vanderbilt and Tennessee on the horizon, this team has a monumental mountain to climb if it wants to be considered as great of a team as the 04's and Co. And GO GATORS!!! Great article!

As a Rowdy Reptile, I would believe my opinion is as biased as it gets. However, I do believe that this team has great potential for a deep run in March. These last two games have proven that to me. In Oxford, the Gators were getting destroyed most of the game, especially inside. Tack on a lot of missed threes and free throws, and you have a big loss on your hands. Despite all that, the Gators almost pulled the win out of its rear end. That takes determination and toughness.

As for last Saturday’s night game against Kentucky, I have to say it was Marreese Speights best game ever. I’ve never seen him play so physically inside. I think he finally gets it. I think he finally understands his purpose.

Despite his play, Kentucky almost beat us. Once again, it took great determination and toughness to score a third of our regulation points in a 5 minute span. Nick Calathes took the team on his back to victory.

With Vanderbilt and Tennessee on the horizon, this team has a monumental mountain to climb if it wants to be considered as great of a team as the 04′s and Co.

And GO GATORS!!!

]]>