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Post by Deleted on Sept 12, 2013 16:06:24 GMT -5
September 12th, 2013 12:00pm
Zach’s Mail Stack 9/12
by Zach Abolverdi
I felt like chopped liver last week after only getting a few questions for the Mail Stack, but you all came through this week.
It’s probably because you’re trying to get your mind off the Miami loss, and I’m here to help.
On the recruiting trail, Florida coaches are scheduled to see commits such as Will Grier, Dalvin Cook, Da’Vante Phillips, Khairi Clark and Chris Lammons at their games this week. Five-star linebacker Raekwon McMillan will have UF defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin at his game tonight per Kipp Adams of 247Sports.
On to the questions!
Zach, does the loss to Miami affect any of our commits from South Florida? — GaGator02, ChoppaStyle, Ivo
When UF lost at Miami 10 years ago, there’s no question it hurt the Gators’ in-state recruiting efforts. Both football programs had experienced similar success in the past decade with several conference and national championships between them. So the 2003 game carried a lot of weight in the eyes of prospects, particularly the South Florida products.
But that’s not the case in 2013. The Gators are coming off an 11-2 season, a record the Hurricanes haven’t seen since the last time the two teams met in Miami. More importantly, Florida defensive backs coach and Miami native Travaris Robinson has built strong relationships with high school players and coaches in the area.
Seven of UF’s 14 commitments for 2014 are from South Florida, and Robinson was their lead recruiter. Despite Saturday’s loss, all of them say they remain solid to the Gators.
What’s the plan for the offensive line if the coaches were willing to let Benjamin Knox drop so easily? — Joe, Jerome, Jimmy, Levy, Tamayo, Bob, Gabe
In case you missed it, DeLand offensive tackle Benjamin Knox decommitted from Florida on Tuesday. He said the staff hadn’t contacted him in over a month. Since the Evaluation Period started Sept. 1, it’s safe to say UF moved on.
Four offensive linemen are currently committed — tackles Dontae Angus and Taven Bryan and guards Travaris Dorsey and Nollan Kelleher. The Gators want one more, and at this point, it might be David Sharpe or bust for the final spot.
The Jacksonville Providence prospect appeared to be favoring Florida in the summer, but recent visits to Clemson and Georgia have made his recruitment more competitive. UF needs to get him on campus again before he nears his decision, which will be in the coming months.
The Gators have developed depth along the offensive line, so Sharpe won’t make or break the class. But they have missed on a nearby five-star offensive tackle in the past two recruiting cycles (John Theus in 2012 and Laremy Tunsil in 2013), and that doesn’t need to happen for a third year in a row.
With Florida having a shortage of star receivers at the moment, why aren’t we hearing more about the Gators trying to recruit guys like Johnnie Dixon, Travis Rudolph, Moral Stephens, Adly Enoicy, Trevon Lee and Ryeshene Bronson. Are the Gators not interested or are they not interested in the Gators? — Jimmy
For one, they brought in five receivers in the last class and don’t have the scholarship room to sign more than three for 2014. Florida has already landed a commitment from Ermon Lane, the nation’s No. 2 wideout according to most services.
The coaches are certainly high on Dixon, but he just doesn’t have heavy interest in UF. The Gators would like to add Rudolph and either Adoree’ Jackson or Speedy Noil for the slot position, and I think they should be able to land two of those targets.
The latter four you mentioned are not in the staff’s plans, including former commit Bronson who is now pledged to South Florida.
Since Kent Taylor and Colin Thompson can’t get on the field despite Clay Burton and Tevin Westbrook being awful, shouldn’t UF go after another TE? — Ben
It should, and Derby (Kan.) tight end DeAndre Goolsby is the one to watch out for. He named UF in his Top 5 last month and will officially visit this fall. He’s hard to get a read on as far as who has the edge for him, but the Gators are believed to be a serious contender.
Some other names on the board are Bryce Dixon (Ventura, Calif./St. Bonaventure), Montez Sweat (Stone Mountain, Ga./Stephenson) and JUCO prospect Josh McNeil (Yuma, Ariz./Arizona Western C.C.).
Who do you believe will be the biggest “get” on signing day and who will be the biggest decommit for the 2014 class? — Connor
The recruitment of five-star Norcross (Ga.) defensive end Lorenzo Carter is far from over, but Florida was publicly named his front-runner and has a great chance of getting him on signing day. He will officially visit for the Tennessee game next weekend and plans to return to Gainesville following his senior season for an additional trip.
The biggest decommitment has already happened, in my opinion. Losing linebacker Christian Miller (Columbia, S.C./Spring Valley) in May was a huge blow for the Gators because they don’t have many options at the position. He has committed to Alabama and will be hard to sway back despite his close relationship with UF assistant Brad Lawing.
What number of signees is Florida looking to sign in this next recruiting class and which current players will declare early (or leave the program) for the NFL creating room for more recruits to be signed. — Deep in the swamp
With 10 graduating seniors and 80 scholarship players excluding walk-ons (who won’t count against recruiting next year), Florida currently has room for 15 signees in the 2014 class before attrition.
Linebacker Ronald Powell and cornerbacks Loucheiz Purifoy and Marcus Robinson are three juniors who could be gone after this season. Quarterback Skyler Morhinweg, fullback Rhaheim Ledbetter, receiver Latroy Pittman and offensive tackle Quinteze Williams are some guys I could see transferring due to lack of playing time.
That’s all for this week! Be sure to put your questions for the next mailbag in the comment section below!
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Post by canefan on Sept 12, 2013 19:32:16 GMT -5
The class of 2014 in the Miami tri-county area has the most D1 prospects ever for this area. As much as I would love Miami to wrap them all up, there are just too damn many of them so we will have to share. As for Florida commits that Miami would still be pursuing, I obviously don't have access to any inside information, but from what I am reading I think the only ones they are really pushing for are Cook and Lane. I hear off and on about Clark but the staff seems a bit sour on him. Lane is Barrows cousin and it would not shock me if he was in our class come February. Rumors have been that he committed more out of his friendship with Quincy Wilson and, of course, Miami never showed any interest in Wilson. Clark the rumors sway back and forth. Think his will go down to the wire.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 13, 2013 15:58:58 GMT -5
September 12th, 2013 10:49pm
Gators get first crack at Carter
by Zach Abolverdi
Norcross (Ga.) defensive end Lorenzo Carter will make his first of five official visits on Sept. 21 when Florida plays host to Tennessee.
Schools that get the first official visit are often put at a disadvantage because others can make an impression later on in the recruiting process when the stakes are higher.
The Gators, however, shouldn’t have those worries with Carter.
“Florida is the first school I wanted to go see,” he said. “I’m just ready to get (official visits) rolling, and they have a chance to set the bar high. Plus, I’ll probably go back down there for another unofficial after my season.”
Carter visited Gainesville in the summer with his parents and named UF his leader — and dream school — in July.
“We had a great time when we went down there,” he said of the June 14 trip. “I was excited to see how they’re going to use me and just what they do right now with the position I’m being recruited for (Buck). The staff does a great job with the way they coach.”
The Under Armour All-American is particularly high on Will Muschamp because of his coaching background.
“Coach Muschamp is great,” he said. “I love how he coaches. He’s a defensive-minded head coach, and that’s what I want to play for.”
Carter is also getting daily endorsements on him from one of his former players. Norcross defensive backs coach Reggie Cockerm played under Muschamp at Valdosta State in 2000 when he served one year as defensive coordinator.
“He tells me every day that coach Muschamp is a great guy,” Carter said of Cockerm. “At first he was pushing me toward Florida State, but now he’s pushing me hard for Florida. I guess something changed in his eyes.
“He always talks about coach Muschamp’s excitement for the game. He told me I better be ready for him to bring it every day in practice.”
Cockerm’s familiarity with Muschamp has been beneficial for the five-star prospect.
“He’s one of my high school coaches,” Carter said. “He doesn’t work for a college. He’s looking out for my best interest. He played for him, so he tells how he is. He’s not saying stuff to get me down there, he just really thinks highly of coach Muschamp.”
For his upcoming visit, Carter is looking forward to experiencing the gameday atmosphere of The Swamp and learning more about the academics at UF.
“I want to know how they work with the student athletes and the resources they have for them,” he said. “I want to major in engineering, and that’s going to be tough, so it’s important for me to see how they plan on making it work.”
The 6-foot-5, 234-pounder plans to make his decision on signing day and has a Top 7 of Florida, Georgia, Alabama, LSU, Notre Dame, Oregon and Florida State.
Carter feels the Gators are close to contending for championships.
“They’re trying to win the SEC and a national title,” he said. “They were knocking on the door last year. If I went there, I feel like I could have a chance to impact them and kick down that door.”
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Post by Deleted on Sept 15, 2013 14:46:32 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Sept 16, 2013 13:48:10 GMT -5
UF at UK game set for 7 p.m. Special to Gatorsports.com
Published: Monday, September 16, 2013 at 12:31 p.m.
Last Modified: Monday, September 16, 2013 at 12:31 p.m.
The Florida at Kentucky game Sept. 28 will kick off at 7 p.m. and will be carried on ESPN2 or ESPNU.
The No. 19 Gators (1-1) open SEC play at 3:30 p.m. this Saturday against Tennessee (2-1). The game will be carried by CBS.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 16, 2013 14:03:23 GMT -5
Tennessee game depth chart: www.gatorzone.com/football/stats/depth.pdfJon Halapio off injury list and will start at RG. Jaylen Watkins moved ahead of Marcus Maye at safety. Maye was the one beaten deep on the 50 yard TD. Deeper than the deepest is the rule Maye violated. Will Muschamp said Maye can't allow the ball to be thrown over his head. Darrell said he saw several plays where the Miami WR was deeper than the deepest Gator, but the QB didn't have the time to throw the ball. My guess it was Maye rather than Cody Riggs. Loucheiz Purifoy back to starting CB and is replacing Valdez Showers to join Soloman Patton on KOR. Vernon Hargreaves III back up at both corners. This kid has the skills to start now. He got the INT at Miami. I'm still concerned with TE. Neither Clay Burton nor Tevin Westbrook are receiving threats. Watching the big games last weekend, all of the best teams used pass catching TEs.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 16, 2013 16:21:06 GMT -5
Gator Country On Vernon Hargreaves III:
Freshman makes early impact Written byNick de la Torre, September 16, 2013, 0 Comments, Print Friendly
He was a consensus five-star prospect from Wharton high school in Tampa, Florida, co-MVP at the Under Armour All-American Game, was named the defensive player of the year at the 58th annual Touchdown Club of Columbus Awards, was named the MVP of the IMG 7-v-7 National Championship and was the Class 8A defensive player of the year in Florida.
However, like all freshmen when they arrive to college, all of those high school stats, awards and accolades are thrown out of the window. Freshmen go from being the big man on campus one year to the low man on the totem poll the next.
For some, it’s an adjustment that takes time. Getting used to doing things like laundry, cooking for yourself and living on your own take time to get used to and no matter what classes you take in high school, college courses are a whole different ball game. Freshmen also need to learn how to be responsible. Mom and dad aren’t sitting in your dorm room to make sure you go to bed on time and take care of all of your schoolwork. When freshmen can successfully juggle and balance all of that, they’re then tasked with playing a game that is significantly faster than they have ever played before.
Some sink, some tread water and some swim but not many come out of the gates like Vernon Hargreaves III has done in just his first two games.
Even the most casual of Gator fans knew who Hargreaves was even before he put on his blue jersey and ran out onto Florida Field against Toledo. The expectations were sky high, unfair and impossible to meet. That is, until he met and exceeded them.
“The first thing is he’s really smart,” Will Muschamp said of Hargreaves. “He’s a guy that really works at the game. He comes in and watches a lot of tape. There’s a reason why he’s playing well. God’s blessed him with a lot of athleticism, but he works at the mental side of the game, where a lot of young players, it’s very hard to. They’ve been so much better than everyone else, so it really doesn’t matter. And they think their athleticism, they’re just gonna beat the opponent because they’ve always been better. And that’s not how he has approached it.”
Muschamp is dead on with that statement. For a player like Hargreaves, he’s always been athletically gifted and more talented than most of the people he has played with or against. It’s easy to rest on your athleticism, especially when that is enough to get the job done in high school. It’s hard, especially for a young player, to realize that skill and athleticism will only take you so far. Being the son of a college coach has helped Hargreaves in this aspect. He knows how to watch film and has instincts on the field that you simply can’t teach.
Hargreaves has not only impressed his head coach and the fans, but he’s made an impression on his teammates as well.
“I don’t think I’ve seen a freshman come in their first two games and get an interception,” Senior Jaylen Watkins said. “Big-time plays, too. We’re very proud of him and fortunate to have him.”
Watkins can’t remember a freshman getting interceptions in their first two games because it hasn’t happened in record books dating back to 2006. Hargreaves is the first true freshmen to start his career with interceptions in his first two games and the first player — player, not freshmen — to start the season off with at least one interception in the first two games of the season since Ahmad Black did in 2012 — his senior season. Hargreaves has only played in two games, hasn’t started one, but already leads the team in interceptions.
Speaking about Hargreaves on Monday, Muschamp again noted how Hargreaves never asked him about the depth chart while he was being recruited. That made a big impression on the head ball coach. Muschamp said that Hargreaves has the confidence you need to be successful and play cornerback.
“He had a lot of confidence in his abilities to come in here and play right away,” Msuchamp said. “That’s a great thing. I think it shows you his confidence. In order to play corner, especially the way we play, you better be a confident guy. And it shows confidence in his ability. He’s very comfortable with who he is and with his ability.”
In the new depth chart released on Monday for the Tennessee week, Hargreaves is listed as the backup at both cornerback positions as well as the back up nickel back. Despite not being listed as a starter, Hargreaves role on the team will continue to grow if he keeps performing the way he has through the first two games.
“We’ll play freshman when they’re ready. And this guy is ready, that’s bottom line. He’s been productive in practice. He’s been productive in games,” Muschamp said of Hargreaves. “I’m young but I am old-fashioned that it doesn’t just snap on game day and all the sudden it happens and the guy plays really good. He produces in practice every single day, going back to camp from Day 1 all the way through until he was injured. Then he came back off his injury and he was productive again. Then he does it on game day. That’s why he is playing and really a guy that is going to be in the rotation as far as starting.”
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Post by Deleted on Sept 16, 2013 16:28:00 GMT -5
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Post by mscott59 on Sept 16, 2013 16:35:21 GMT -5
UF at UK game set for 7 p.m. Special to Gatorsports.com Published: Monday, September 16, 2013 at 12:31 p.m. Last Modified: Monday, September 16, 2013 at 12:31 p.m. The Florida at Kentucky game Sept. 28 will kick off at 7 p.m. and will be carried on ESPN2 or ESPNU. The No. 19 Gators (1-1) open SEC play at 3:30 p.m. this Saturday against Tennessee (2-1). The game will be carried by CBS. re vols-gators.... first team to 14 wins. mark scott tosu 81
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Post by Deleted on Sept 17, 2013 0:41:05 GMT -5
Usually UF vs UT is close, but it was 37-20 UF last season in Knoxvegas. I expect UF to cover the spread, around -15 UF. The Gators have another bad game in them, but I doubt it's at home or two in a row and especially so with the start of the SEC season. Without -4 in turnovers against the candy canes, UF is sitting 2-0 and ranked in the top 10. I don't want to say UT has no chance, but it is a slim chance at best.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 17, 2013 8:10:34 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Sept 17, 2013 12:06:52 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Sept 17, 2013 12:17:07 GMT -5
By SCOTT CARTER GatorZone.com Senior Writer
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Gators running back Matt Jones made his 2013 debut in Florida’s 21-16 loss at Miami, rushing 18 times for 47 yards.
It wasn’t exactly the debut Jones had in mind when he finished spring practice as Florida’s top tailback to replace 1,000-yard rusher Mike Gillislee.
“I was a little nervous and not 100 percent running-wise,’’ Jones said Monday during his first media session of the season. “I wasn’t really trusting myself.”
Jones said he felt fine physically – he missed fall camp and the season opener due to a serious viral infection that put him in the hospital for “like seven or eight days” – but wasn’t as sharp as he would prefer running the ball.
Jones said the bye week gave him a chance to catch up to speed and he expects to be in strong form when the Gators host Tennessee on Saturday in the SEC opener for both schools.
“I wasn’t ready for the hits and stuff like that,’’ said Jones, who fumbled on his third carry of the game at Miami. “But as the game went through the first or fourth quarter I felt good. I want to take the team on my back now that I’m back and I feel I know how the game feels now.
“I have big expectations going into this game to run hard and trust myself.”
Jones said he has put on 10 of the 12 pounds he lost during his illness. Listed at 6-foot-2, 226 pounds, Jones said Monday that he weighs 224 pounds and has regained his strength.
There were some scary moments for the sophomore from Tampa, where he starred at Armwood High.
“I just woke up throwing up and feeling nauseous and stuff like that,’’ Jones said. “It was definitely hard. It was a setback, knowing that I put all that work in and I can’t go on the field now and can’t do the things I used to do. The thing with football, sometimes you can have a downfall.
“You don’t know when you can get hurt. It’s how you overcome it and how you come back.”
As a freshman Jones rushed for 275 yards as Gillislee’s primary backup. He blossomed late in the season and capped Florida’s road win at Florida State with a 32-yard touchdown run. He rushed for 146 yards in the final two regular-season games and clamped down a starting job in spring practice.
And then he got sick right before camp and watched as Mack Brown gained 112 yards and scored two touchdowns in the 24-6 season-opening win over Toledo.
Jones is ready to take on the additional workload following those early doubts about whether he was back at full-speed in Miami.
“I was taking it bad,’’ Jones said. “I was thinking I wasn’t ready to come back. I was thinking I wasn’t going to be back. My coaches told me to calm down and trust yourself. I started feeling comfortable, almost popped one. I started feeling my cuts. So it went all right.”
INJURY REPORT
Gators coach Will Muschamp said starting right tackle Tyler Moore (sprained ankle) is only player who would have missed the game if Florida had not been off on Saturday. Muschamp is hopeful Moore will return to practice Tuesday or Wednesday. If he is unable to play against Tennessee, veteran Kyle Koehne and transfer Trenton Brown are expected to fill in for Moore … True freshman defensive back Nick Washington underwent shoulder surgery Monday and is out the rest of the season. Washington was injured at Miami … Starting right guard Jon Halapio is set to return Saturday. Halapio missed a majority of fall camp and the season’s first two games due to a torn pectoral muscle.
ROCKY TO THEIR EARS
Tennessee fans love to sing “Rocky Top” during games. Surprising, so does Gators senior defensive tackle Dominique Easley.
“Might as well make the best of it,’’ Easley quipped Monday.
Easley does it more for entertainment value than his love – or non-love – of the tune Volunteer fans have made famous.
“They can hear me, but I don’t do it to taunt,’’ Easley said. “I do it for my own enjoyment.”
Easley’s teammate, defensive back Jaylen Watkins, prefers to prevent Tennessee fans from having a reason to sing the song. Watkins certainly doesn’t sing it like Easley does and voiced an opinion that is common among Florida fans the week of the annual Gators-Vols showdown.
“We all hate Rocky Top,’’ he said.
QUOTE OF NOTE I
“I don’t think he’d do it, personally. Does anybody want to ask him? He doesn’t allow some media people in his things. Go ask him. I’d be all for it. I’d like to see it actually.” – Muschamp when asked about possibility of South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier serving as honorary Mr. Two Bits, a new UF tradition this season
QUOTE OF NOTE II
“In my life, I strive for perfection. If there is no perfection, there is no greatness. We’re supposed to be great.” – Easley on not being satisfied despite Florida’s defense leading SEC
QUOTE OF NOTE III
“It's still a huge rivalry. It's a very important game at the University of Florida. There's no question because of the promise both schools had in the '90s, it was a leadoff game for CBS it seemed like every year. It's got a great, great history.” – Muschamp on the Florida-Tennessee game
QUOTE OF NOTE IV
“We’ll play freshmen when they’re ready. And this guy’s ready. That’s the bottom line. He produces in practice every single day. Then he does it on game day. That’s why he is playing.” – Muschamp on true freshman Vernon Hargreaves III, who has two interceptions in his first two college games
QUOTE OF NOTE V
“As a team we don’t let the outside noise get to us.” – Watkins on criticism following loss to Miami
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Post by Deleted on Sept 17, 2013 12:23:38 GMT -5
The No. 4 Florida volleyball team plays host to No. 17 Florida State as the Seminoles return to Gainesville for the first time since 2011. The Gators and the Noles face off at 6 p.m. ET on Tuesday, September 17 in the Stephen C. O’Connell Center.
Last Time Out: The Gators captured their third consecutive Active Ankle Challenge title, sweeping Georgetown and Iona before defeating Western Michigan in four in the tournament finale. Živa Recek was named MVP of the weekend, averaging 4.00 kills/set and hitting .303 over the course of the tournament. Seniors Chloe Mann and Taylor Brauneis were also named to the All-Tournament Team. Mann hit .611 with 36 kills, while Brauneis dished out 13.14 assists/set and directed the Gators to a .363 hitting percentage over the weekend.
Noles to Watch: Florida State features the Walch sisters, Nicole and Elise, who combined for 44 kills in the Seminoles’ upset victory over then-No. 7 Michigan Saturday. Nicole leads the Noles with 116 kills on the season (3.52/set), while Elise is not far behind with 3.00/set.
All-Time: The Gators’ greatest non-conference rivalry enters its 28th year and will be the 53rd meeting between the Gators and the Seminoles. Under Gator head coach Mary Wise, Florida has gone a remarkable 28-3 against FSU, including an undefeated 16-0 at home.
Mary’s Minute: “Last year, we went to Tallahassee, with their experience, they were flawless. They played really, really well and deserved the win. They come back here, although they return a senior middle blocker, a senior outside hitter and a senior right side, but they did have to graduate a couple players who gave us trouble in the past. It’s still Florida State. They’re running a similar offense, similar defense, great talent and I see them winning their conference, making the NCAA Tournament and making a long run. (We have) a great opportunity tomorrow night. Their only losses have come to ranked teams by the smallest of margins, so they’re right there. (It) should be a fun night.”
Mary by the Numbers:
At Florida: 694-81
All-Time: 775-144
Records: Florida: 8-1, Florida State: 6-3
NCAA Numbers: Senior Chloe Mann is second in the NCAA in hitting percentage (.511), while the Gators are third in the nation with a .338 offensive clip. Senior setter Taylor Brauneis is 12th in assists (11.54/set) and 15th in aces (.54/set).
Ranked Rivals: Tuesday’s match marks the fourth consecutive year both rivals square off as nationally-ranked opponents based on the AVCA Poll. The Gators were 11th when they fell at No. 12 Florida State, ninth in 2011 when UF swept No. 25 FSU in Gainesville, and third when facing the No. 13 Seminoles in Tallahassee in 2010.
Defense Doing Work: The Florida defense had one of its best weekends of the year, as libero Taylor Unroe averaged 4.70 digs/set over the last three matches. Sophomore Nikki O’Rourke made the most of her minutes, averaging 2.60 digs/set in just three rotations. Junior Holly Pole was right behind her, turning in a 2.50 dig/set average over the weekend. The Gators had five players in double-digit digs against Stanford, the first time since Florida’s five-set defeat to Tennessee last season (November 4, 2012). UF has a .966 reception percentage, their second-highest in the last five seasons.
Not On Our Watch: Florida has forced six of its nine opponents to operate at under .200 hitting efficiency. The Gators held the Hoyas to -.090 offensive clip, the second time this season a Florida opponent hit negative. Iona nearly hit negative against Florida, tallying an .087 hitting percentage.
On The Horizon: Florida travels to the state of Wisconsin to take on Marquette (Fri., Sept. 20 – 8 p.m. ET) and Wisconsin-Milwaukee (Sat., Sept. 21 – 7 p.m. ET) at the Marquette Invitational. The next three matches are Florida’s last of the non-conference slate before starting SEC play in the Magnolia State against Mississippi State (Fri., Sept. 27 – 8 p.m. ET) and Ole Miss (Sun., Sept. 29 – 2:30 p.m. ET).
Preseason Buzz: Florida was picked to win the Southeastern Conference title in a preseason vote of the league’s coaches, while senior middle blocker Chloe Mann and sophomore outside hitter Živa Recek were named Preseason All-SEC. Mann was also recently named a candidate for the Senior CLASS Award.
They’re Back: Florida returns 11 letterwinners and five starters from a year ago, including First Team All-American Mann, AVCA National Freshman of the Year Recek, AVCA Honorable Mention All-American setter Taylor Brauneis, 2011 SEC All-Freshman Team honoree Taylor Unroe and sophomore outside hitter Gabby Mallette.
Lights, Camera, Action: Florida will be on television 12 times during the course of the 2013 regular season, the most of any Southeastern Conference program. The Gators’ next televised match is Friday, October 4 at home against Texas A&M.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 17, 2013 12:32:57 GMT -5
Hoop Scoop - when adding in the three game suspensions of several player and that Chris Walker won't join the team until mid December, the season could get off to a rocky start with a loss at Wisconsin:
Monday, September 16, 2013 at 2:48 by Kevin Brockway
Is it too early to start thinking about college basketball? Hardly.
Florida’s season-opener is a little more than seven weeks away, on Nov. 8 at the O’Connell Center against North Florida. Per a new NCAA rule, Florida can begin practicing on Sept. 27, holding 30 practices during a 42-day span.
And once again, preseason magazines are high on the Gators. Blue Ribbon Magazine has ranked Florida seventh in its preseason college basketball poll. Lindy’s has the Gators ranked eighth, and Sporting News has UF ranked 12th.
Here’s a brief assessment from all three magazines:
From Blue Ribbon — “If everything comes together in March, the Gators will once again be dangerous enough to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament. Still, many questions need to be answered. Does (Scottie) Wilbekin come back from a disciplinary suspension with the right attitude? How will transfers (Dorian) Finney-Smith and (Damontre) Harris mesh with the established veterans? Can Chris Walker can get academically eligible and make an impact once SEC play begins? Is Patric Young capable of breaking out offensively in his final season? Florida must also solve the close game issue that has vexed the team in recent seasons. When adversity hits this season, how well will the Gators respond? How the Gators handle pressure situations could wind up being the difference between another second weekend exit or Florida’s first Final Four appearance since 2007.”
From Lindy’s — “If transfers Dorian Finney-Smith and Damontre Harris and blue-chip freshman point guard Kasey Hill are legit, this is one of the most formidable rosters in the country.”
From Sporting News — “If there is a team outside the top 10 that could challenge for the (national) title, this might be the best choice. Incoming freshman Kasey Hill didn’t shine at the McDonald’s All-American game, but we still believe he is a difference maker.”
Florida returns two starters and seven scholarship players from a team that finished 29-8 and reached the Elite Eight for the third straight season. But one of those starters (Wilbekin) remains suspended indefinitely, and another key scholarship player, projected starting power forward Will Yeguete, is still recovering from offseason knee surgery. Chris Walker’s eligibility remains up in the air due to academic issues and the NCAA has yet to decide whether Rutgers guard Eli Carter will receive a waiver to play right away in 2013-14. But Florida coach Billy Donovan also is concerned about Carter’s recovery from a broken leg last February and said he has yet to be cleared for running and cutting.
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