FLORIDA FOOTBALL: FOOD FOR A MAN'S SOUL
How Will Mo’s Future Affect the Roster?
![1200812664[1].jpg](http://www.orangeandbluehue.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/1200812664[1].jpg)
Amidst talk about Mo Speights leaving, Donovan having to shove someone out the door due to scholarship problems, and chatter on the message boards about the incoming Dynamic Duo at PF and C (Eloy Vargas and Kenny Kadji), let’s look at various situations.
Worst Case: The scholarship situation is resolved, but Mo leaves for the NBA
Result: Ken’s is the only BIG body (6-10, 245ish) on the roster, so he’ll have to start right away. In a way, they’re last year’s Gators all over again. But with Walter Hodge graduating, that frees up at least one space for Donovan to recruit someone.
If that happens, Donovan should try to snag a one-and-done player at the 3-5 spots. His roster space won’t be adversely affected on the 2010 roster, the guy could potentially step in almost immediately, and his departure combined with the graduation of Jon Mitchell and Dan Werner opens up three spots then and there. The only concern is that Donovan employs a balanced scoring style, so the phenom will have to get used to playing without the basketball. Maybe that’s a partial reason why he hasn’t signed any of those Kevin Durant or Michael Beasley types.
Alternative: Mo stays for one more year
Result: This is best for the Gators’ short-term future. Mo will land the starting spot as before, but now, he has some help if he gets in foul trouble. Kadji can make an impact off of the bench, plus there’s a fresh body around if Mo continues to have conditioning issues. Granted, it’s not like the title years where Horford and Noah started together, Chris Richard came off of the bench, and Mo came around to boot, but it’s a start. As before, Hodge’s graduation will open up at least one more spot for the 2010 squad.
Embarassment of Riches: Mo stays, but there are 14 guys on the team.
Result: Chances are good that at least one guy will want to transfer. Donovan’s shopping over the past two years has given him quite a stocked cupboard, and someone may be angling for more playing time, as was the case with David Huertas three seasosns ago.
And even if that doesn’t pan out, there’s still hope. Adam Allen also came in as a pretty good pitcher in baseball. Given Florida’s issues with southpaws this season, he could potentially switch over to the diamond next year and help tie up those loose ends.
On a side note, watch out for freshman Allan Cheney. Eloy and Ken have been much of the talk of Donovan’s recruiting class, but Cheney is a sleeper. He’s already got the size (6-8, 220) to compete at small forward, and will likely fly under the radar as he improves in 2009.
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13 Comments so far
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Why don’t you guys take a couple of seasons off until you can once again represent the SEC respectfully?
By Daniel on 04.04.08 10:42 am
You know, Dan, why don’t you try going to a Duke fansite and give them the “they-could-do-some-damage-in-the-NIT” stuff?
Besides, a loss to Marquette in the first round? Let’s just hope you can do more when the ‘Cats go dancing for the 50th time.
By Vincent Gagliano on 04.04.08 11:20 am
I love Duke, they could do some damage in the NIT next year.
By Daniel on 04.04.08 11:33 am
Represent the SEC respectfully? You’ve had Dynasty Man out there for 3 years wearing Kentucky blue, and you’re telling US to represent the SEC respectfully? We’ve got two crystal basketballs in that time… what do YOU got?
By Gatorpilot on 04.04.08 11:57 am
Three words Dan…
“Back to Back”
By swampchomp07 on 04.04.08 12:14 pm
If focusing in on one sport helps you represent the SEC respectfully, good luck. USA today has us 49th. UK, 142. Have fun looking back at how great you were at ONE sport, while we continue to set the standard not only in all sports, but academics as well.
Remember this, it’s GREAT to be a Florida Gator.
By urbanisagod on 04.04.08 1:20 pm
Come on now, who cares about getting an edumacation? Plus I believe we’re ranked higher in baseball and will probably beat you guys by 49 in the swamp this year. You know it’s coming.
By Daniel on 04.04.08 2:00 pm
Vince Gagliano is a hoodlum
By Daniel on 04.04.08 2:01 pm
Daniel roots for a has-been team.
By Vincent Gagliano on 04.04.08 2:03 pm
By the way, Urb, I read a book that says that the USA today rankings are manipulated in such a manner that Harvard, Stanford, Princeton, and Yale are always on top year after year. Ironically, it often involves factors that have little to do with education.
After the magazine tried a holistic formula that put a little known school on top, the big brass spit it out and came up with an irrelevant system.
‘cuz you know, I could always try to go to UCLA and their excellent basketball program over there. I go to a top-10 instead of a top-15 public school, with the tradition of excellence in hoops over there.
Florida has the Gator Slam. UCLA has 100 national titles.
By Vincent Gagliano on 04.04.08 2:06 pm
Florida is a never will be, they are illegal immigrants
By Daniel on 04.04.08 2:49 pm
Not Nikos Kalathis, he’s got dual citizenship.
By Vincent Gagliano on 04.04.08 3:35 pm
Shut up, Daniel. You’re embarrasing good Cats fans. If you’re going to go another team’s board and talk smack, at least tighten up your smack. It’s pretty weak.
By Joe on 04.05.08 11:55 pm
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