Preseason Poll: The Florida Gators men’s basketball team is ranked 10th nationally in the coaches preseason poll, which is exactly where they finished the 2010-2011 season. UF is the 2nd highest ranked SEC team in the nation, behind only Kentucky which is ranked #2.

Speed: In 2011-2012, the Gator’s will look to exploit other team defenses via their speed from the outside & perimeter. They have one of the quickest guards in nation with Kenny Boynton (Jr.) and Erving Walker (Sr.)

Larson: Forward Cody Larson has been reinstated following his arrest for trying to break into a car. Instead of jail time, the judge opted to extend Larson’s probation.

Beal: High School All-american, Bradley Beal, will hopefully have an immediate impact when he takes the court for the first time wearing Orange and Blue. He enters college basketball as one of the top recruits in the nation, having averaged over 30 points per game last year. Billy Donovan constantly talks about how excited he is with Beal and that his maturity and understanding of the game is at a much higher level then most incoming freshman.

Uniforms: The Gator’s uniforms changed slightly with  “FLORIDA” in all caps on the front of the jersey and a larger number on the back.

The Florida Gators men’s basketball team will start the season on November 3rd against Catholic University at home. The first “true test” will come November 15th when the Gators face Ohio State in Columbus. We all know about our favorable history against the Buckeyes – maybe they can play the game in the Swamp instead?

The Gators are coming off a trip to the elite 8, in a year where they returned all 5 starters. Erving Walker & Kenny Boynton lead the Gators into the 2011-2012 season with a smaller lineup than last year. UF lost several players including, Chandler Parsons, to the NBA. The Gators are stacked at guard, but will need to work on developing their front court to compete in the SEC and ultimately (hopefully) in the NCAA tournament.

Last spring, the Gators made an incredible run in NCAA tournament, but their championship hopes were brought to end by Butler in the Elite 8. The gators lost, in overtime, 74 to 71. The 2010-11 season was finished at 26-7, with a strong 13-3 record against SEC opponents. Ervin Walker lead the Gators with 14.6 points per game, while Chandler Parsons added a team high 7.8 rebounds per game and 3.8 assists per game. The Houston Rockets picked Parsons in the second round of the 2011 draft with the 38th overall pick.

Kenny Boynton

This year the Gators basketball team looks to be strong with 3 returning guards: Erving Walker, Kenny Boynton, Scott Wilbekin. The Gators also add Mike Rosario, a transfer from Rutgers, with high point scoring potential. Freshman Brad Beal should make an impact on the wing and will help replace the exodus of last year’s core group including Chandler Parsons, Vernon Macklin & Alex Tyus. Patric Young will give the gators energy & power in the post which has always been key competency in successful Gator teams (ie – Horford, Noah, Haslem).

Former Florida Gator forward Chandler Parsons will be at the ESPY awards show tonight, among the Hollywood Elite.

Parsons, who was the 2010-11 SEC player of the year last season for Florida, was drafted by the Houston Rockets last month in the second round. Tonight, Parsons will accept the 2011 Capital One Cup on behalf of the University of Florida men’s athletics program.

Justin Timberlake will be the one giving out the award to Parsons tonight. Parsons will be accepting a $200,000 donation to fund student-athlete graduate-level scholarships along with the Capital One Cup trophy.

Parsons is one of a kind. He has worked extremely hard during the four years of commitment he put into the University of Florida program and look where it has gotten him. If you ever read up on him on twitter, this man is constantly working on his game and training.

Congrats to former Gator Chandler Parsons.

Jesse is a great alumni

Patric Young had the chance to show off over in Latvia with the USA Basketball U19 team. USA finished in 5th place in the FIBA World Championships, while beating Poland 78-77 on Sunday to top it all off.

Young dominated on rebounding, which most people in the county don’t find it very shocking. Young has also gained near 10 pounds since the off season. Not to mention that he led the Americans with just under 7 boards per game, and averaged 9.7 points per contest. The USA finished 7-2 and Patric started every game. This kid is going to be a pure beast in the upcoming season. He has my pick as one of the top centers in college basketball next season, without a doubt.

Young, who will be a sophomore this season will have higher expectations than he did last year, especially with Alex Tyus and Vernon Macklin gone. Look for young to dominate down in the paint.

Take a peak at some highlights gathered by the Sentinel, and a special thanks to the FIBA.

Former Florida Gator forward Corey Brewer will be hosting his second consecutive basketball camp in Gainesville. Brewer, who was traded to the Dallas Mavericks earlier in the year before winning the NBA championship, will be hosting his camp at The Rock on August 1- August 3.

“I had a great time with the kids last year. I am so fortunate to have played basketball at the University of Florida,” Brewer said in a release. “I always like going back to give back to the community that has given me so much.”

The camp is for any boy and girl between the ages of 9-17. The camp fee is $150 but included a t-shirt, one meal during each day of the camp, and a picture with the one and only Corey Brewer. It will start at 8am and will end at 4pm each day.

Every penny made from the event will be donated to the Shands Health Care. “Corey Brewer Fight Diabetes Fund” is a charity that Corey came up with to support all diabetes patients. Corey has had several members in his family who were diagnosed with diabetes. He is a given kid.

For more info please visit his website @ www.coreybrewer.com

Florida Gator head coach Billy Donovan will meet with John Calipari for the fifth time since he joined the SEC back in 2009. Kentucky leads 3-2 after sweeping Florida last season. But this year both teams have split and captured a win at home.

Coach Calipari and the Wildcats (24-8, 10-6) won the 2010 SEC Championship while coach Donovan captured the title three years in a row from 2005-2007. It’s going to be a battle today in Atlanta. Kentucky is a tough team and definitely has potential to go far in the NCAA Tournament.

Right now the Gators (26-6, 13-3) are looking at the No. 3 seed in Tampa against Long Island which will give them a good chance to slide up into the No. 2 spot. If Florida wins the SEC Championship today, they will be 8-1 against Tennessee, Kentucky and Vanderbilt.

Kentucky’s Doron Lamb is still questionable whether he will play or not so that may be a small advantage for the Gators during today’s game. Coach Calipari said he will let Lamb make the decision if he can play or not.

Game time is set for 1pm on ABC.

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