Archive for January, 2009

Meyer Creating A Dynasty

Posted by admin on January 31st, 2009   No Comment

By: Mark Stainton

Urban Meyer is a very good football coach. He surrounds himself with good
assistants. If he was a prospector, and recruits were gold, then Meyer would be
rolling around in buckets of money. Meyer and his staff have put together some
incredible recruiting classes ever since he stepped foot on campus, and that is the
main reason for his success. He has said it himself a few times, great players make
coaches look good. How is this for a recruiting class? 2-time National Champion and
Heisman winner Tim Tebow, 2-time National Champion and soon to be first round pick
Percy Harvin, and 2-time National Champion and one of the best linebackers in the
country in Brandon Spikes, and that was just Meyer’s 2006 recruiting class.

Meyer and his staff have put together 3 consecutive top 5 recruiting classes
according to ESPN.com and Rivals.com. Rivals.com had UF at #2 in 2006, #1 in 2007
and #3 in 2008 while ESPN.com had UF at #1 in 2006, #2 in 2007 and #4 in 2008. Here
in 2009, Meyer and company are putting together another amazing class. They are
sitting at #5 according to ESPN and #10 according to Rivals.com with National
Signing Day just 5 days away.

The only thing keeping UF from assuredly locking down another top 5 class is the depth they already
have on campus from their 3 previous amazing recruiting classes. UF returns their
entire 2-deep on defense, as well as 7 offensive starters including a guy named
Tebow. But their current class does have some firepower in it. 5-star wide receiver
Andre Debose is said to be the next Percy Harvin, like there is ever going to be
another Percy Harvin. They also have 4-star running back Mike Gillislee and 4-star
wide receiver Nu’Keese Richardson. The Gators also have a few big names they are
still trying to lock down before NSD. 5-star linebacker Jelani Jenkins is likely
going to choose between UF and Penn State on NSD as well as 5-star running back
Trent Richardson choosing between Alabama and UF on the same day.

Another top 10 class to add to Meyer’s already loading team will be impressive,
and if the class ends up being top 5, the dynasty Meyer is creating could be
official. Two National Championships in his first four years, and a likely preseason
number 1 ranking in many polls. The Florida Gators are headed in the right
direction, and their head coach is one of the best in the land.

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Almost Famous

Posted by admin on January 30th, 2009   No Comment

By: Ryan Tate

Is it just me or do recruits act more like NFL stars these days than high school
kids? With all the media attention these kids get it’s understandable for a 17
year-old to let it go to his head… but the epidemic is growing worse every year.
Some could compare the drama these kids put the recruiting fanatics through to the
acts of some NFL media queens.

It’s reasonable for these kids to enjoy the instant attention, especially since you
never know how long it could last; however, some seem to enjoy it a little more than
others.

Take Greg Reid for instance. The young defensive back from Valdosta, Georgia
claimed to be a lifelong Gator fan and was committed to the University of Florida
for what seemed to be forever, or so some thought. The Gators were committed to
this young athlete since he first created a stir in his sophomore year of high
school. One solid performance on national TV and a star added to his collection and
everyone wants in on him. That’s when things got a little out of hand.
Once the young DB started talking to Florida State and Georgia we true Gators can’t
help but wonder how a lifelong Gator fan could even think about going to Florida’s
two biggest rival schools. Then again he’s just a kid right?

- CONTINUE READING-……
(more…)

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Gators Tame Dogs 83-57

Posted by admin on January 29th, 2009   No Comment

By: Ryan Tate

Despite a heart breaking loss to South Carolina the Gators seem to be gaining some
momentum. The Gators were lead by star Nick Calathes who came out with his second
career triple double and only the third in Gator history. Alex Tyus finished with
18 points and Chandler Parsons finished with 12 to clinch the Gators eleventh
straight victory over Georgia.

Despite being pulled out of the game with over four minutes to go the sophomore
guard/forward had 20 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists in the Gators trampling
over the Dogs. Calathes seemed unstoppable and was able to drive to the net all
night as well as create easy shots for his teammates. Florida finished the first
half up 42-30 and held Georgia to just 19 points in the second half. The Gators
also put a cap on Georgia head coach Dennis Felton’s seven season career at Georgia
as he was fired shortly after the Dogs walking by the Gators.

Florida is now tied with Kentucky for first place in the SEC East. The Gators next
test will be at Tennessee on Saturday night followed by what Gator fans hope to be a
revenge match-up with South Carolina and then at Kentucky for a tough match-up.
Florida’s game with Kentucky, this coming Tuesday, looks to be a great match-up as
Calathes will battle with Kentucky’s junior sensation Jodie Meeks who is averaging
25.8 points per game and had a career high of 54 points over Tennessee earlier in
the month.

With all of the success in recent years the bar has been set high for the Gators and
much criticism has been put on the young team about their ability to bring another
South Eastern Conference title to Gainesville. However the Gators seem to be
hitting their stride. Perhaps the loss to South Carolina may indeed have “helped
the Gators more then they will ever know”. The Gators are now in the same position
as they were last year when like this year they started with at 5-1 in conference
record and 18-3 overall. Last year at this point the Gators took a free fall losing
8 out of their last 11 games and missed the NCAA tournament. It’s time to see if
they learned from their mistakes and if Nick Calethes can guide his team to the big
dance.

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Locke Dismissed After DUI

Posted by admin on January 28th, 2009   3 Comments

Have you ever wanted a do-over? Stephen Locke could use one right about now. He already went through a tough 2006 when he had to go through elbow surgery. Florida Gators senior baseball pitcher Stephen Locke was arrested Saturday after being charged with a DUI.

The 22 year old was driving on W University Avenue just a little past 2 am. Locke was stopped by the Gainesville police after going 10 mph under the speed limit. Police recognized an armband Locke had been wearing from a local bar in town called the Grog House, and alcohol was also smelt from under his breath. Locke drove across the double yellow line which caused an oncoming vehicle to swerve to avoid a head on collision.

Locke had an incredible 2008 season after starting 12 games with a 5-2 record and a 3.17 ERA. Locke was a huge piece of the puzzle for this 2009 baseball club but this one silly mistake did not only hurt him, but it hurt the whole team. It was very impressive how he battled back through his elbow injury in 2006 and threw it away just because he chose to drink and drive. You expect your seniors to set the example. Locke not only failed to do that, he did the opposite. He showed the younger players what not to do. He paid the ultimate price, and now his baseball career at the University of Florida is over.

Hopefully coach Sullivan will use this as a reminder to the team. No matter how much work you put in on the field, you have to do the right thing off the field too.

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Gators Drop From Top 25

Posted by admin on January 26th, 2009   No Comment

ESPN/Mary Ann

The Gators have been knocked back out of the top 25 in the AP poll for the second time this season after today’s new rankings came out.

Florida (17-3, 4-1) received 65 votes but still came up short handed. The Gators had their 10 game winning streak snapped by the South Carolina Gamecocks after the heartbreaking last second buzzer beater on Wednesday but they responded after pounding the Commodores yesterday 94-69 on CBS which also turned out to be a historic day after knocking down 12 three pointers in the first half, with Chandler Parsons drilling five of the twelve.

In the coaches poll, the Gators remained outvoted for the top 25 with only 59 votes. The South Carolina loss really hurt not only knocking Florida out of the top 25 but a important SEC game. Florida still remains in second place in the SEC play, standing behind Kentucky who is 5-0.

The Gators are back in action this Wednesday in Gainesville starting at 8:00pm against the Georgia Bulldogs. Florida looks to find their fifth SEC win on the year.

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Parsons Has Historic Day As Gators Pound Vandy 94-69

Posted by admin on January 25th, 2009   No Comment
ESPN/Mark Humphrey

ESPN/Mark Humphrey

By: Brandon
admin@gatorsportsnation.com

Chandler Parsons had an outstanding 27 point performance in today’s 94-69 victory against the Vanderbilt Commodores (12-7) in Nashville. The Gators started out kind of slow after trailing by 6 and forcing a few turnovers in a row. That is what Billy preached to this young Gator team after the South Carolina Loss. Limit the amount of turnovers.

Florida kept the turnovers down to 4 in the first half and the defense forced Vanderbilt to turn the ball over 10 times, but still put up 12 turnovers in today’s contest. It was pretty much target practice for Florida from the three point line. I myself have never seen this ball club shoot this well from my years watching. Florida was 12 for 18 (67%) for three pointers and what I don’t get is how did the Gators shoot so horrible last year in Nashville shooting 1 for 15 from behind the arc. But this is a totally different Gator team.

At the end of the first half Florida had a commanding 56-37 lead after sophomore guard Nick Calathes put up a buzzer beating three which gave Florida the twelfth one of the half. Vanderbilt opened up the game only allowing 60 points from their opponents, but not today. Coach Donovan mentioned in his interview that the shooting did the job and he thinks the players really responded well from the loss against the Gamecocks.

I was really impressed by the Gators passing. They made that extra pass and it led to wide open shots. Most of Florida’s three pointers were all off the extra pass. Florida leads the SEC in assists averaging 18 per contest and I wouldn’t be surprised to see that number jump up after the blowout today.

Chandler Parsons just had an breakthrough performance today. No doubt about it. This is probably by far his best game played as a Florida Gator. Parsons was a perfect 5 for 5 from the three point line up till 5 minutes remaining in the first half and finished the game going 7 for 8 beyond the arc. Freshman guard Erving Walker came off the bench with the hot hand. Walker shot 3 for 5 from the three point line and finished with six assists. Nick Calathes gathered 15 points, four assists and four rebounds. Senior guard Walter Hodge added 10 points, Alex Tyus put up 9, and freshman center Kenny Kadji had 8.

The Gators (17-3, 4-1) are back in action on Wednesday January 28th in Gainesville as they host Georgia. Tip off will be at 8:00pm.

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Too Much Talent

Posted by admin on January 25th, 2009   1 Comment

By: Brandon
admin@gatorsportsnation.com

One of Florida’s big time recruits coming in Greg Reid has changed his mind on committing to the University Of Florida after he found out about the powerful depth the Gators have on defense. The 4 star recruit from Valdosta, (GA) has always been a Gator fan ever since he was a youngster and his dreams of playing for the Gators have been smashed. Reid committed to Florida right after the signing day and was one of the top 2009 recruiting classes. Reid loved telling people that he was headed to Gainesville to play for the Gators and how happy he was. Not anymore.

Greg took a visit to UF last weekend, thinking it will be his new home. Thanks to the amazing depth chart Florida has, the All-American cornerback has turned away and looked passed Florida and continued browsing other schools such as Florida State and Georgia. It might seem like it’s a huge loss or a problem Florida is already facing this early right? But it’s not. This is actually a good problem that the Gators are returning the starting 2008 BCS National championship defense and having a shot at another National title. So Florida really is not losing anything at all. Even if Reid decided to play for Florida, he would never see any playing time as a freshman. He still has Janoris Jenkins and Joe Haden ahead of him, and they are two dominant players on defense.

This is exactly what happens to most colleges that has most of their talent returning for another year. And this is exactly what Florida is dealing with. Look at the USC Trojans. They also had some recruits decommit due to the fact they have a very dangerous defense returning for the 2009 season. They are in the same position Florida is in. The problem with most recruits now is that they think when they sign, they will automatically have playing time. But on the other half their are players that don’t mind sitting out their freshman and most of their sophomore year or they just sign with a different school where they know they will receive playing time at. USC lost their tight end commit Alshon Jeffery because the Trojans are so high in their depth chart. Some recruits don’t care about playing time, they like to sign with a school who has a high shot of winning a National Championship.

Florida really is not hurt with this loss. What gets me is that their is so much talent, especially in Florida. I bet their is 100 more of Greg Reids out there in the country. And I’d say if the Gators are having trouble signing players because they think they will not play, then that has to be one of the best things that can happen to a team. That just means Florida has a good chance at another successful season and hope for a third National Championship in four years.

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Gators Try To Rebound From Last Second Defeat

Posted by admin on January 25th, 2009   No Comment

By: Brandon
admin@gatorsportsnation.com

The Gators will head to Nashville on Sunday to face the Commodores in a SEC East match-up. Florida will try to wipe the South Carolina game off their minds while Vanderbilt worries about the two game losing streak they are on.

It was a tough SEC road loss against the Gamecocks last Wednesday on the final seconds of the game. The little things Florida suffered to manage at the end just killed them. It was heartbreaking I’m not going to lie. I hardly got any sleep that night. Florida needs to look ahead and not in the rear view mirror. Leave everything behind and work on the mistakes that were made. So if the Gators want to win this game in Nashville, they will need to limit the amount of turnovers. Florida turned the ball over 17 times against South Carolina. The Gators out-did the Gamecocks in almost every category. Shooting, rebounding, and even turnovers. But not free-throws. You have got to realize how much free throws mean in games like that, especially at the end when Calathes and Parsons came up short on the line.

I am sure that they had a nice team meeting and hours of shooting over the few days Florida had off to prepare for the Commodores. Florida (16-3, 3-1) will look forward to grab their fourth SEC win which is very important right now. My prediction is Florida will win by 8 or more. Tip off is at 1:30pm and the game will be televised on CBS.

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