Embedded With the Gators: Late-night bonus entry ... and walk-thru
Thursday, March 22, 2012 | Men's Basketball, Men's Golf, Chris Harry
PHOENIX -- Welcomed Scott Carter (better known as @GatorZoneScott) to town earlier tonight, along with the rest of the University Athletic Association folks who came from Gainesville via the Wednesday charter.
After the media session and hacking out our stories for GatorZone, Scott and I got back to the hotel and walked down the street for dinner and a beer. When we got back, the basketball team was congregated in the lobby by the elevator.
It was about 9:15.
“We're doing a walk-thru,” assistant coach John Pelphrey said.
Now? Where?
“Right in there,” Pelphrey said, pointing into a very small conference room.
Sure enough, I peeked inside and there was a mock-up of the free-throw lane taped out on the carpet. That's me to the right, courtesy of a photo from Pelphrey, who no doubt had a much steadier hand as a 1,257-point scorer and career 45.5-percent shooter at Kentucky, but I appreciated him taking the shot.
Moments later, Billy Donovan came out of the elevator and ordered his players into the room.
“Want to come in for this?” he asked me.
Of course, I did.
Some photos.
Above: Billy D talks, players listen.
Above: Billy watches while his coaches coach.
Above: Assistant Norm Roberts directs one of his scout team members. [Note: Yes, I know my pictures are blurry. I blame Apple. My IPhone is starting to annoy me, and I didn't have my UAA-issued Blackberry -- which takes better pictures -- probably because I didn't figure to walk into a walk-thru at 9:30 at night]
The session lasted maybe 20 minutes, then it was off for a film session and late-night snack.
I knocked this blog out, so you Gator fans back home would have something to wake up to. Got to hit the walk-thru in the morning, but I might try to sleep in some.
After all, big day (and game) tomorrow.
