Senior guard KeVaughn Allen and the Gators are headed back to the NCAA Tournament. (Photo: Carly Mackler/UAA Communications)
Carter's Corner: Gators Get In, Year 2 under Grantham, Beal's All-NBA Credentials, Garcia on Move
Sunday, March 17, 2019 | General, Scott Carter
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The UF men's basketball team waited and waited and waited on Sunday to hear whether it was headed to the NCAA Tournament for the third consecutive season.
Finally, the Gators (19-15) heard their named called as one of the last teams announced, a 10th seed headed to Des Moines, Iowa, for a first-round matchup against Nevada.
"I know we were like kind of on the hot seat,'' senior center Kevarrius Hayes said at the team's watch party. "Had my heart racing."
In his fourth season, UF head coach Mike White led the Gators to the Southeastern Conference Tournament semifinals for the first time since 2014, highlighted by an upset against No. 1-seed LSU. Two victories over the Tigers during the season undoubtedly factored heavily into Florida earning the 22nd NCAA Tournament appearance in school history.
White is 4-2 in the NCAA Tournament at Florida that included a run to the Elite Eight in 2017.
"Really excited. It's where you want to be,'' he told GatorVision following Sunday night's announcement. "I think our guys were definitely on edge there, especially as it got late. Happy for them. Also, glad they got to experience a little bit of anxiety. We deserved a little bit of anxiety."
The Gators face a Nevada team that enters 29-4.
A look at some of the latest headlines around the internet of interest to Gators fans:
-- Nevada is a very talented No. 7 seed with two players – Caleb Martin and Jordan Caroline – averaging more than 17 points per game. Joe Boozell of NCAA.com has the Wolf Pack as one of his five teams lower than a third seed with potential to make the Final Four.
-- NCAA Tournament 2019: What to know about every team in the bracket writes Myron Medcalf of ESPN.com.
-- For a local look at Nevada, here is a story from the Reno Gazette Journal by Duke Ritenhouse on the Wolf Pack's upcoming showdown with the Gators.
-- Here's a guideline to filling out your bracket from The Associated Press via Gainesville.com for those who will spend the next three weeks following every dribble.
-- The UF defense is much more comfortable in Year 2 under defensive coordinator Todd Grantham writes Thomas Goldkamp of Swamp247.com.
-- Former Gators standout Bradley Beal has All-NBA credential except one thing writes Candace Buckner of The Washington Post.
-- "OK, we're not going to go undefeated,'' Steve Spurrier said following his first loss as head coach of the Orlando Apollos writes Jeff Shain of The Orlando Sentinel.
-- Former Gators offensive lineman Max Garcia has signed with the Cardinals after starting his career in Denver writes Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com.
Finally, the Gators (19-15) heard their named called as one of the last teams announced, a 10th seed headed to Des Moines, Iowa, for a first-round matchup against Nevada.
"I know we were like kind of on the hot seat,'' senior center Kevarrius Hayes said at the team's watch party. "Had my heart racing."
The wait is over & we are dancing.
— Gators Men's Basketball (@GatorsMBK) March 18, 2019
Anyone else sitting on the edge of their seat tonight? #MarchMadness #GatorsHoop pic.twitter.com/cd0utfiso2
In his fourth season, UF head coach Mike White led the Gators to the Southeastern Conference Tournament semifinals for the first time since 2014, highlighted by an upset against No. 1-seed LSU. Two victories over the Tigers during the season undoubtedly factored heavily into Florida earning the 22nd NCAA Tournament appearance in school history.
White is 4-2 in the NCAA Tournament at Florida that included a run to the Elite Eight in 2017.
"Really excited. It's where you want to be,'' he told GatorVision following Sunday night's announcement. "I think our guys were definitely on edge there, especially as it got late. Happy for them. Also, glad they got to experience a little bit of anxiety. We deserved a little bit of anxiety."
The Gators face a Nevada team that enters 29-4.
A look at some of the latest headlines around the internet of interest to Gators fans:
-- Nevada is a very talented No. 7 seed with two players – Caleb Martin and Jordan Caroline – averaging more than 17 points per game. Joe Boozell of NCAA.com has the Wolf Pack as one of his five teams lower than a third seed with potential to make the Final Four.
-- NCAA Tournament 2019: What to know about every team in the bracket writes Myron Medcalf of ESPN.com.
-- For a local look at Nevada, here is a story from the Reno Gazette Journal by Duke Ritenhouse on the Wolf Pack's upcoming showdown with the Gators.
-- Here's a guideline to filling out your bracket from The Associated Press via Gainesville.com for those who will spend the next three weeks following every dribble.
-- The UF defense is much more comfortable in Year 2 under defensive coordinator Todd Grantham writes Thomas Goldkamp of Swamp247.com.
-- Former Gators standout Bradley Beal has All-NBA credential except one thing writes Candace Buckner of The Washington Post.
-- "OK, we're not going to go undefeated,'' Steve Spurrier said following his first loss as head coach of the Orlando Apollos writes Jeff Shain of The Orlando Sentinel.
-- Former Gators offensive lineman Max Garcia has signed with the Cardinals after starting his career in Denver writes Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com.
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