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The ICYMI Gators File: Special Day at O'Dome, Bracketology, VH3, Jammin' Joakim, more tidbits
Monday, March 10, 2014 | Baseball, Men's Basketball, Football, Gymnastics, Track and Field, Scott Carter
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – March Madness has arrived.
The No. 1-ranked Gators head to Atlanta later this week for the SEC Tournament and will learn their NCAA Tournament destination on Sunday night.
The Gators capped a memorable regular season with Saturday's 84-65 win over Kentucky, becoming the first SEC team in history to go 18-0 on SEC play.
We did it we did it! Thank you #GatorNation for your amazing support again!! Gonna miss playing in the O'dome! #StillHungry #GoGators 🙏🐊🏀🍴
— Will Yeguete (@Will15Yeguete) March 8, 2014
Let's take at some of the buzz generated by Billy Donovan's team and other stories of interest to Florida fans:
--The New York Times paid a visit to the O'Connell Center on Saturday for Florida's historic win over Kentucky. Click here for a story by Tom Spousta.
--Tampa Tribune columnist Martin Fennelly asks 'Why not the Gators?'
--Orlando Sentinel columnist Mike Bianchi is probably not a popular person on Kentucky message boards after writing this column on Billy Donovan off Florida's win over the Wildcats on Saturday.
--John Clay of the Lexington Herald-Leader writes that Kentucky is on wrong side of history as postseason beckons.
--Florida seniors Patric Young, Scottie Wilbekin, Casey Prather and Will Yeguete were featured in Sports Illustrated last week. SI writer Andy Staples wrote a longer version for SI.com than appeared in the magazine.
--Gators icon Steve Spurrier is no fan of columnist Ron Morris of The State newspaper in South Carolina, but Morris is a fan of the Gators basketball team.
Billy Donovan warned about comparing #Gators to title teams, but pointed out similarities and differences - http://t.co/qlL1i1gfj3 (FREE)
— Thomas Goldkamp (@Goldkamp247) March 10, 2014
--Florida's four seniors have sparked a lot of debate this year in college basketball about the importance of experience over hyped youth. Sporting News college basketball writer Mike DeCourcy throws out an interesting question: In a game pitting the top freshmen against the top seniors this season, which team would you go with?
--Gators freshman point guard Kasey Hill played like a veteran Saturday writes Kevin Brockway of The Gainesville Sun.
--GatorCountry.com writer Richard Johnson braved the cool night to camp with the Rowdy Reptiles prior to Saturday's game.
--ESPN.com's college basketball writers hand out some awards, with Gators coach Billy Donovan getting tabbed as National Coach of the Year by more than one panelist.
--The NCAA Tournament schedule via ESPN.com.
--How does Gators vs. Wright State in first round in Orlando sound? That is latest forecast from Bracketology with Joe Lunardi.
--Gators cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III doesn't need to be pushed to be motivated writes Edward Aschoff of ESPN.com.
--UF spring predictions: Whole new attitude via Jeff Barlis of ESPN.com.
--The Sporting News looks at its top 25 players to watch in spring football and two Gators make the grade.
--Former UF standout Joakim Noah continues to play the best of his career – had dad approved of Sunday's win over the Bulls writes K.C. Johnson of The Chicago Tribune.
--The Florida baseball team pulled off three extra-inning wins over UConn and CollegeBaseballCentral.com's Josh Vadeboncoeur steps up with a series review.
ICYMI: Photos from @GatorZoneGym vs WVU on Senior Day http://t.co/GOn9uz3BI5 #ItsGreatUF #Gators pic.twitter.com/Rh5t8KOkSL
— Tim Casey (@TimCaseyPhoto) March 10, 2014
--AlligatorArmy.com's Andy Hutchins writes about the UF gymnastics team's memorable Senior Night on Friday at the O'Dome.
--Five months ago a couple of former Gators – Walter Pitchford and Cody Larson – squared off in a preseason scrimmage. Pitchford moved a step closer to an NCAA Tourney bid with the Huskers' win over Wisconsin Sunday.
Congrats to @cprather24 @BigPatYoung4 @Will15Yeguete @scottiew_5 on their great careers and an undefeated SEC season! Miss ya boyz
— Cody Larson (@codylarson34) March 8, 2014
--Speaking of Larson, his South Dakota State team that beat Nebraska in that scrimmage is also knocking at the NCAA Tournament's door.
BONUS LINK
--Former North Carolina coach Dean Smith's memory has faded and ESPN.com writer Tommy Tomlinson captures the mood around Chapel Hill masterfully. This is definitely worth a read if you like good storytelling.
