Orange and Blue Hue » Are UF Fans Missing Something in Losses?

Are UF Fans Missing Something in Losses?

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Even Corey Brewer has experienced his share of losing.

He was a McDonald’s High School All-American, but chose Florida when he was shunned by at least one other program. After being drafted by the Minnesota Timberwolves, his childhood idol, Kevin Garnett, was traded to the Boston Celtics in the biggest superstar deal in NBA history. With his team standing at 12-48, only the Miami Heat can claim a worse NBA record. The worst part: nobody cares about his two national championships anymore.

So the Gators, who appear to be unfortunate souls after their heartbreaking loss to Tennessee, have actually had it better than at least one of their predecessors. All of which raises important questions.

Have we become so intoxicated with our basketball team’s success that missing the Big Dance feels like Waterloo? Are we expecting too much out of a team going through all of the trials and tribulations of their first season? Are we judging our players not by their growth on and off the basketball court, but by mere wins and losses? And for that matter, what on Earth will Billy Donovan do for Senior Day?

Even in the losing, I’ve seen tremendous upside:

*Nick Calathes has stepped up as a leader, averaging about 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists over the last four contests.

*Great Speights has finally shown up. For me, the most impressive part of his growth has been the development of his mid-range jumper. That’s going to become an important weapon in his toolbox next year.

*The fact that the team tried to exhibit defensive intensity against Mississippi State shows that they’re on the right track and that they’re finally believing in Donovan’s message.

*For forty minutes, they played their guts out against Tennessee, a likely #1 seed in the NCAA and a likely Final Four participant.

*I’m quaking in my boots if I’m in Lexington right now, because this team may very well carry the level of their play over to Rupp Arena.

As for the postseason, missing the Big Dance may actually turn out to be a blessing in disguise for this team. Having to deal with the ultimate “loss” will only motivate these guys to work harder.

Perfect example from our buddies in the bluegrass: In 1975, Kentucky had a potent core of freshmen ready to do some damage. Their coach, Joe B. Hall, had the tough task of succeeding Adolph Rupp after his involuntary retirement at age 70 three years earlier. The mighty program, which had 4 NCAA championships at the time, was in a state of transition.

When March Madness came around, the team went deep into the bracket, even making the Final Four and upsetting Bob Knight’s undefeated Indiana Hoosiers. However, they lost the national championship game to the Bill Walton’s UCLA Bruins, John Wooden’s tenth and final championship before retiring. In many ways, that loss was even worse than not playing in the tournament at all. From that day on, the youngsters played with a chip on their shoulder.

The next year, they were NIT champions, which helped their feelings a little, but not much. As for the NCAA, Knight’s IU squad became the last perfect national champ, emulating the Miami Dolphins from four years prior.

As juniors, the team managed to make it to “the big one” They beat Princeton in the first round and followed it up with a 93-78 win over the Virginia Military Institute. However, they missed the Final Four with a loss to North Carolina, which eventually lost to national champion Marquette.

Needless to say, you can imagine the mood surrounding the seniors when the 1978 season began. They played basketball not as a game, but as a never-ending war against their adversaries and critics. And as before, they made it to March.

In the first round, much to the Gators’ pleasant surprise, they beat Florida State. Then, they routed Miami of Ohio in a 91-69 win. In the finals, they won a narrow 52-49 game over freshman Magic Johnson and the Michigan State Spartans to reach the Final Four.

They beat Arkansas, then a non-SEC team, to reach the finals. Three years after losing it all to college basketball’s most heralded dynasty, they were going to get a second chance. This time, they would face the Duke Blue Devils, who werecoached by Bill Foster (Coach K would not arrive until three years later.)

Given a shot at redemption, they finally got the championship monkey off of their backs, winning 94-88.
But the emotional cost was high, as there was little joy amongst the seniors from start to finish. From then on, that year would forever be known amongst ‘Cat fans as “The Season Without Celebration”

Duke got revenge fourteen years later, winning a classic 104-103 game off of Grant Hill’s long pass and Christian Laettner’s miracle shot, en route to a second straight crown.

And they all lived happily ever after.

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Addendum: Bill Walton wasn’t at UCLA in 1975, having left the year before. I didn’t notice until after I published the article.

Of course Sunday’s UK/UF game will be a big one, but “quaking in my boots” I am not. I am - as I am sure multitudes of UK fans are - looking forward to this match up. It should be a great game.

What hurts us the most is the fast start we got off to in the SEC. People (Including posters on this site) raised the expectations for this team after seem them storm out of the gate in conference play. If that schedule was reversed, and the wins came at the end, it would be much easier to see the upside this team undoubtedly has.

I don’t think we are expecting too much from this years squad. At least for me, I know I came into the season with very low expectations. My expectations were raised by the play of this team early in the season, there is no question that this team has the making of a future NCAA championship team, I agree they have an amazing upside. The thing that upsets me the most is the way we lose certain games. An over-and-back against Vandy and last night, if it wasn’t for Tennessee’s inbounding gauffaw, we wouldn’t have even gotten a game tying shot off after Werner’s inexplicable charge. It’s frustrating because I know the talent on this team, I have seen them play up to that level, and they continue to make stupid mistakes in close games. I know they are young and there is plenty of time, but this team has enough talent to be in the tournie this year.

UK has won 10 of their last 12 conference games (with a 3 point road loss to UT figured in) and is playing at home on senior day. I doubt they are “quaking in their boots” as the Gators, losers of 6 of their past 9, roll into town. I think even Daniel would agree with me (a first, I know).

In fact, of UF’s 8 SEC wins, 6 of them have come against the bottom 2 teams in the east and west (Auburn, Alabama, USC and UGA).

Let’s just accept this season for what it is - a rebuilding year. Next season will be much brighter with some help coming for Speights.

Consider a starting lineup of Calathes, Hodge, Speights, Vargas and Parsons….with Werner, a stronger bulked up Tyus, and Lucas coming off the bench - now THAT would quake some boots in most SEC towns….

But hey, at least it’s the attitude that counts for something. If these guys can go into Rupp with some confidence, I think they’ll make it more competitive than people think.

But I don’t exactly have a lot of new material left…

Florida should be the favorite on Sunday. We have like, three players. I think all that can be said, regardless of what happens Sunday, is since the first meeting, UK has grown and matured as a team, Florida has become exposed. Last night they played well and I believe they belong in the tourney, but they need to return to the bang first should second attitude that won them two championships if they are ever going to get back to the final four.

Hmmmmm. That’s an interesting change of heart for someone who said that Florida didn’t deserve a bid a few days ago. One thing’s for sure: There’s going to be an all-out war at Rupp on Sunday. It’ll be fun seeing two sides play like they have nothing to lose.

May be best group of guys win Sunday.

My points exactly from the day. Your team has unlimited upside and I expect them to fight for SEC and National Titles in the coming years. This year they’re just too young and inexperienced.

Did anyone notice that when we passed the ball at least 3 times before we shot, we were dominating and when we stopped, they dominated?

Reminds be of the movie “Hoosiers”, where the coach makes everybody pass at least 4 times before they try for the basket.

What a classic film. Too bad UF hasn’t planned a remake.

I enjoyed the play last night, if not the result. One questions I thought of was this….has there been much, if any, talk about Speights going pro next year? I know he has a lot to improve on still, but I have seen many worse players leave other teams, and with his inside and outside game on display, what do you think odds are on his leaving after this year?

Last night against UT I found myself living and dying with every basket, which is a feeling I haven’t really had since J-Ham, Nelson, and Bonner were running the team. It has been an exciting adventure this year, and I agree, missing the tourney may be better for this team than losing in the first weekend.

This is a team than can gain experience in the NIT and push themselves to further growth. I believe Donovan can take any postseason momentum and get this team on the right track over the summer to success in 08/09.

I don’t know if UF fans are missing anything but I think their team is, and it’s called the hoop…chaching..thank you…I’ll be here until Sunday when we will probably get beat

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