Archive for the ‘Basketball (M)’ Category

Donovan, Gators selected to win the SEC

Posted by admin on October 19th, 2010   No Comment

After finishing with a 21-13 record and a trip to the NCAA Tournament last season, Billy Donovan and the Florida Gators are predicted to win the 2011 SEC championship, which was voted by the SEC and national media members today.

Florida earned eight first-place votes which beat Mississippi State with three first-place votes. Both Tennessee and Kentucky received two votes a piece while Georgia receives one. Everybody knows the Gators have been struggling with such a young team the past few years. It all started after losing 6 players after the back-to-back National Championship seasons in 06 and 07 and then the repeat of the NIT Tournament appearance. But you better think twice about Florida this year.

Not only do the Gators have one of the best recruiting classes in the Nation coming in, but they return all five starters from last year that include Kenny Boynton, Erving Walker, Alex Tyus, Chandler Parsons and Vernon Macklin.

The media favored the Gators to win the East with 110 points. Kentucky led right behind them with 95 points, Georgia (72), Tennessee (71) and then Vanderbilt and South Carolina rounded up the top six.

Now lets look at the West side. Mississippi state racked up 118 total points, Ole Miss led behind them with 84, Alabama (82) and then Arkansas, LSU and Auburn finished off the top six.

For the SEC player of the year, the media selected Georgia junior Trey Thompkins who had 18 votes. Ole Miss senior Chris Warren had one vote and Kentucky freshman Brandon Knight was chosen with one vote for player of the year.

The Gators are not known for much height but they have plenty of speed and sharp shooters who can also find their way to the bucket. Last season, Florida was led by Kenny Boynton who averaged 14 points per game, and Erving Walker who averaged just under 13 per contest.

Florida will play Florida Tech in a exhibition game on October 28th at the O’connell Center.

Post to Twitter

State Attorney Drops Charges Against Former Gator, Haslem

Posted by Justin Yerina on September 16th, 2010   No Comment

Udonis Haslem, a former Florida Gator forward, now with the Miami Heat was charged with marijuana possesion on August 15.

However, today Haslem’s charges were dropped.

According to Assistant State Attorney Errol Portman, “While there was probable cause for the arrest of Udonis Haslem…the State could not prove Udonis Haslem’s knowledge or possession of the cannabis beyond a reasonable doubt…”

Even though Haslem’s fingerprints were found on the container, charges could not be pressed.

Haslem is proof positive that a good lawer will go a long way.

Source: AP

Post to Twitter

Udonis Haslem, Passenger Arrested for Drug Posession

Posted by Gene Elliott on August 16th, 2010   No Comment

The Big “U” has a new meaning for Udonis Haslem today.  Instead of the Big “U” standing for Udonis, its “U” for Under Arrest.  Haslem and a passenger identified at Antwain Fleming were pulled over for speeding where Haslem was driving 18-20 miles over the posted limit.  Haslem was cited for speeding and having tinted windows beyond current law.  The police asked and were granted permission to search the vehicle.  It was not until the third search and sifting through the personal bag of Fleming that 20 grams of marijuana was found.  Both men were taken into custody, booked and released.  Fleming admitted the drugs were his, limiting the exposure of Haslem to the drug charges.  Florida law for controlled substances could put the 2008 Mercedes of Haslem in jeopardy.  The State has the right to take the car, worth over 100,000. from him as a forfeiture. 

Haslem nor the Heat have made a public statement on the matter.  Haslem’s attorney Eric Schwartzreich commented that he has confidence in the State’s Attorney’s Office to do the right thing here and not charge his client.

More to come…..

Post to Twitter

Obama shoots ball with Noah and other NBA stars

Posted by admin on August 8th, 2010   No Comment

President Barack Obama got the chance to joke around and shoot a little bit of hoops with Former Gator and two-time champion Joakim Noah and also a whole lot of other NBA stars. It was kind of a late birthday president for Obama and it was also a showcase that was dedicated for wounded warriors and participants who are in the white house for the mentoring project.

Some of the NBA stars who Obama played with were from the past and present, such as Derrick Rose, Lebron James, Kobe Bryant [did not participate], Dwayne Wade, Bill Russel and Magic Johnson were only some of them. Also one woman who was there was Maya Moore from UConn.

Sources said that they’re were no reporters allowed to attend the event, but a white house photography managed to snap a photo at Fort McNair.

President Obama just celebrated his 49th birthday this past Wednesday with a nice dinner which Oprah Winfrey was there in attendance. Obama also had a barbecue and cookout with his family, friends and his staff.

Here is the whole lost of players who were there.

  • Carmelo Anthony
  • Shane Battier
  • Chauncey Billups
  • Kobe Bryant (not playing)
  • Derek Fisher
  • Grant Hill
  • LeBron James
  • Earvin “Magic” Johnson
  • Maya Moore
  • Alonzo Mourning
  • Chris Paul
  • Derrick Rose
  • Bill Russell
  • Etan Thomas
  • Dwyane Wade
  • David West
  • Joakim Noah
  • Pau Gasol

[Info courtesy of the Chicago Tribune/Mike Memoli]

Post to Twitter

Former Gator star Augie Greiner passes away

Posted by admin on August 8th, 2010   No Comment

Augie Greiner was known for more than just a fantastic basketball player. He was a tremendous guy and also right-hand man of head coach Billy Donovan.

A source close to Gator Sports Nation reported that Greiner passed away Saturday night after suffering from a long illness.

There wasn’t any other man like him. He was a big supporter for the Gator basketball team and was the founder of Greiner’s clothing store in both Ocala and Tampa. Everybody loved him, he was so friendly and kind to any person he would ever talk to.

Greiner was one of the first friends of Donovan when he got the coaching job at Florida. Here is a quote Billy had to say about Greiner back in 2006 during a Ocala Gator tip-off Club.

“I’m very thankful that there is somebody like this that has been able to put together a club and a group that started from nothing that built into the situation that it is,” said Donovan. “He’s the leader, he’s the one that takes charge.”

Greiner spent four years playing for the Gators (1953-1956).

He brought a lot to the Ocala area and will be truly missed. I send my prayers to the Greiner family.

Gator Sports Nation will release any other information on Greiner if available.

[Here is a couple of photos, the first a picture of Greiner from the 50's and the second one was gathered by Gator Country.com of Augie Greiner and Billy Donovan.]

Courtesy of gatorcountry.com

Post to Twitter

2012 PG Arcidiacono has Florida in his top 5

Posted by admin on August 2nd, 2010   No Comment

Ryan Arcidiacono, a four-star point guard out of Langhorne, Pa. told Gator Sports Nation that he has Florida in his top five along with Notre Dame, Wake Forest, Boston College and Georgia Tech.

Arcidicono, a 6’3 190 pound junior at Neshaminy High School, recently played in a two day event at the West Virginia Jam Fest where Billy Donovan flew up and sat in the first row to see him play. Arcidicono told rivals that he had a little bit of butterflies when he knew coach Donovan was sitting there watching.

“The first four out of six possessions, I probably turned it over or missed a shot,” Arcidicono told rivals.com. “I struggled shooting that tournament, but I probably still had 12 points, five or six rebounds and six assists. It was a good game.”

When Arcidicono received a offer over the phone from Florida, he was pretty much in shock.

“My first reaction was just, ‘Wow, all the hard work has paid off right now,’” he said. “It was a great feeling.”

I asked Ryan if he had visited yet and he said he took an unofficial one when it was just him and a coach of his who drove up to Gainesville when they were in Orlando for an event. He said Florida has a crazy football and basketball stadium.

Arcidiacono still has a lot of high school left and plenty of time to decide where he wants to play ball at the next level, but we know now that Florida is in his top choices which is a good sign. He also spoke about how he still has to go out and explore other schools before he makes a decision. Another school he has interest in is Villanova but they have not offered him anything just yet.

Here is a short video clip of Arcidiacono. He can shoot the lights out.

Post to Twitter

Jason Williams the next Gator Alum to join Heat?

Posted by Gene Elliott on July 21st, 2010   No Comment

Mike Miller is pulling a Dwayne Wade, he is recruiting players for the revamped Miami Heat.  Miller who just signed a five-year deal at 25 million dollars, is recruiting Jason Williams from the Orlando Magic to join him in Miami.  Williams, who is a free agent, is taking offers from at least three other teams including Orlando at this time. His first stint with Miami produced an NBA Championship in 2006.

If Jason Williams does join the Heat, it would make the third Florida Gator on the roster joining Miller and Udonis Haslem, who recently resigned for another three years.

Post to Twitter

Matt Bonner Signs on Dotted Line With Spurs

Posted by Justin Yerina on July 14th, 2010   No Comment

Former Gator forward, Matt Bonner signed a four year deal with the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday. The Spurs value Bonner’s shooting touch, especially from beyond the three point line where he has made over 40% of his attempts in his career. According to Yahoo! Sports, the deal will be worth $16 million.

After being drafted in the second round of the NBA draft by the Chicago Bulls in 2003, Bonner was subsequently traded to the Toronto Raptors where he averaged 7.2 points and 3.5 rebounds as a rookie. Bonner would spend only one more season with the Raptors before bringing his soft shooting touch to Tim Duncan and the San Antonio Spurs.

Matt has apparently found his niche in San Antonio where he has been rewarded for his efforts with his newly inked 4 year, $16 million deal.

* Statistics and contract info gathered via Yahoo! Sports *

Post to Twitter