From Mark Titus's SEC Preview

[tzznandrew]

Speaking of Florida, it’s a shame how last season ended for the Gators. I feel for all of those seniors who got within one game of the title after racking up so many wins in their careers. It was especially hard to watch Scottie Wilbekin go from being one of the best two-way point guards in college basketball to getting eaten alive by Ryan Boatright. The worst part, though, is that because Florida didn’t manage to win the championship, history won’t remember the 2014 Gators as the great team they were. No player from that team seems likely to have a great NBA career, so when casual fans look back and see the lack of individual talent AND a lack of a title, Florida won’t get the respect it deserves.

And to be honest, Florida probably wasn’t one of the best teams ever, but it did have one of the best seasons ever. Going 18-0 in the same conference as the national runner-up? Only two non-tournament losses, which came by a combined seven points in true road games less than a month into the season? And both were against Final Four teams when the Gators weren’t at full strength? That’s amazing.

Florida deserved to win the national title last season. There’s no doubt about it. The only problem, though, is that Shabazz Napier deserved it too.

http://grantland.com/the-triangle/2...ks-ole-miss-auburn-john-calipari-bruce-pearl/

 

[alexd]

 

[superjohn]

After getting down 16-3 we absolutely destroyed them the rest of the game, their guards were terrified just bringing the ball up the court. Florida would have been the first undefeated team since Indiana in the 70's if it wasn't for UConn.

 

[WhereistheDove?]

Speaking of Florida, it’s a shame how last season ended for the Gators. I feel for all of those seniors who got within one game of the title after racking up so many wins in their careers. It was especially hard to watch Scottie Wilbekin go from being one of the best two-way point guards in college basketball to getting eaten alive by Ryan Boatright. The worst part, though, is that because Florida didn’t manage to win the championship, history won’t remember the 2014 Gators as the great team they were. No player from that team seems likely to have a great NBA career, so when casual fans look back and see the lack of individual talent AND a lack of a title, Florida won’t get the respect it deserves.

And to be honest, Florida probably wasn’t one of the best teams ever, but it did have one of the best seasons ever. Going 18-0 in the same conference as the national runner-up? Only two non-tournament losses, which came by a combined seven points in true road games less than a month into the season? And both were against Final Four teams when the Gators weren’t at full strength? That’s amazing.

Florida deserved to win the national title last season. There’s no doubt about it. The only problem, though, is that Shabazz Napier deserved it too.

http://grantland.com/the-triangle/2...ks-ole-miss-auburn-john-calipari-bruce-pearl/

I know it's been said a million times before, but to me the Florida game will always be the defining moment of this championship run. Watching Boatright turn the SEC player of the year and a third-team All-American into a guy who didn't look like he belonged at the D-1 level was incredible.

 

[aceboon]

After getting down 16-3 we absolutely destroyed them the rest of the game, their guards were terrified just bringing the ball up the court. Florida would have been the first undefeated team since Indiana in the 70's if it wasn't for UConn.

they also lost to Wisc

 

[aceboon]

I know it's been said a million times before, but to me the Florida game will always be the defining moment of this championship run. Watching Boatright turn the SEC player of the year and a third-team All-American into a guy who didn't look like he belonged at the D-1 level was incredible.

Agreed, I've watched that game more than any other during the tourney run. Most complete UConn performance in a big spot in ages, they were great on both ends of the floor.

 

[UCONN-NYC]

After getting down 16-3 we absolutely destroyed them the rest of the game, their guards were terrified just bringing the ball up the court. Florida would have been the first undefeated team since Indiana in the 70's if it wasn't for UConn.

And if We don't come up against Kentucky in 2011 and 2014, The Squid is having the greatest 4 year run since UCLA . . .

 

[superjohn]

they also lost to Wisc

Remembered that after I posted, still pretty incredible we gave them two of their three losses.

 

[HuskiesAllDay]

Remembered that after I posted, still pretty incredible we gave them two of their three losses.

It is. Although.....

We're an incredible program. KO is an incredible coach/man. Shabazz is an incredible player.

So maybe its not so incredible afterall...

 

[Inyatkin]

Maybe the most dominating performance against a top team I've ever seen at UConn. There was that initial burst from Florida, then Patric Young had a little run, but other than that it was no contest.

 

[Thirty Three]

I know it's been said a million times before, but to me the Florida game will always be the defining moment of this championship run. Watching Boatright turn the SEC player of the year and a third-team All-American into a guy who didn't look like he belonged at the D-1 level was incredible.

Agree. When UConn came back from 16-3 I just knew we were going to win the whole thing. I just felt it, I think a lot of people did. I just knew they couldn't be stopped, they were too determined. I think what I wrote in the chatroom was "holy , we're going to win the whole thing!" I'll never forget that feeling.

 

[Kembacity]

I just watched TCF's video of the run from 4-16 to 15-16. Hearing the crowd roar, the commentators keep saying "uh oh here we go" and seeing the cockiness in the florida players wash away leaving nothing but despair, truly a thing of beauty.

We are the champions my friends, I look forward to stewing in that feeling all season no matter what happens with W's or L's, no matter what happens next Friday in terms of announcements

 

[Dogbreath2U]

Agree. When UConn came back from 16-3 I just knew we were going to win the whole thing. I just felt it, I think a lot of people did. I just knew they couldn't be stopped, they were too determined. I think what I wrote in the chatroom was "holy , we're going to win the whole thing!" I'll never forget that feeling.

Yes, I had that feeling as well (but did not want to say it out loud to avoid jinxing us). The pieces came together in a nearly perfect way. Nolan's defense against MSU, Giffey's toughness and rebounding, Amida's game saver, Boat's quantum leap as a defender, Deandre's fadeaways and otherwise letting his talent come all the way out of the bag, Kromah's big baskets at key points, the lack of turnover or foul problems, and nearly perfect foul shooting. The stars were aligned, the mojo was tuned in, and we had Shabazz!

 

[auggie22]

Seth. Davis.

 

[chapwilvaug72]

careful review of last year florida schedule glared with weak opponents up and down and in conference/they were far from a dominant club and deep down they knew they could be had(UCONN was to florida as Louisville was to husky)

 

[Kembacity]

careful review of last year florida schedule glared with weak opponents up and down and in conference/they were far from a dominant club and deep down they knew they could be had(UCONN was to florida as Louisville was to husky)

Definitely your most coherent post, whichever pills you took this morning, please stick with them