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Gators win despite themselves

January 21, 2011
Filed In Basketball, Feature Stories

Ugly. Brutal. Awful.

Those are three words that can describe Florida’s performance Thursday night at Auburn.

But in the end, the only thing that really matters is this: UF 45, AU 40.

In what was possibly their worst performance of the season, the Gators were fortunate the Tigers are just that bad, or else Florida (14-4) would not be tied with South Carolina atop the SEC East with a 3-1 league mark.

Coach Billy Donovan tried to put a positive spin on the game.

“It was one of the best wins I’ve been a part of,” Donovan said. “I don’t know if I’ve ever been a part of a game as a player or a coach watching us struggle to shoot the ball as badly as we did.”

How horrendous was it?

Finishing with the lowest point total in the 15-year, 488-game Donovan Era, the Gators were victorious despite making just 15-of-53 shots (28.3 percent), including only 5-of-26 from three-point range (19.2 percent). And they were equal opportunity clankers, shooting 27.6 percent in the first half and 29.2 percent in the second.

Additionally, they had 14 turnovers compared to just nine assists and went scoreless at one point for 7:21 and another for 5:56 and yet another for 4:17.

Fortunately for Florida, Kenny Boynton and Erving Walker, a combined 6-for-28 from the field (4-for-18 on threes), sank the biggest shots they took.

Auburn (7-11, 0-4) had a 40-37 lead with 1:51 remaining when Boynton drilled a three-pointer just to the left of the top of the key. After a stop, Walker followed up with a long-ball of his own 37 seconds later before drawing a charge on the Tigers’ Earnest Ross (11 points, three rebounds) with 56.1 seconds to play.

If positives (aside from the win) can be taken from the game, UF did shoot 10-for-14 (71.4 percent) from the foul line, included in that was a 5-for-5 first half. And Auburn was held scoreless for the final 3:30 of the contest. The Gators also ended the dry spell in rebound differential.

After outrebounding 13 of 14 non-conference opponents, Mississippi and South Carolina grabbed more boards than UF, while Tennessee and Florida pulled down the same number.

Led by Chandler Parsons’ and Vernon Macklin’s six each, the Gators finished the game with a 40-32 rebounding advantage.

But really, that’s about it. As far as memories go, this one would best be forgotten.

FREE THROWS
*Senior center Vernon Macklin played despite strep throat. He scored six points and grabbed six rebounds in 19 minutes. Freshman Patric Young started in Macklin’s place and contributed two points, three rebounds, one blocked shot and a steal in 19 minutes.

*Sophomore power forward Erik Murphy returned after a four-game absence with a foot injury. He didn’t score (going 0-for-2 from the floor), but did grab three rebounds in just six minutes.

*Auburn’s Ty Armstrong, who played for Gainesville Eastside High School through his junior year, returned from a season-long knee injury to score two points and grab three rebounds in eight minutes against his former hometown team. His Tigers held a halftime lead, 24-23, for the first time this year in SEC play.

PATTON’S PICKS
Gator(Gr)ade: D (only this high because they won)
Gator Player of the Game: No award given.
Opposing Players of the Game: Earnest Ross came off the bench to score 11 points on 4-of-6 shooting (3-for-4 on three-pointers) with three rebounds and a game-high three steals.
Play/sequence of the Game: Erving Walker sank a three-pointer and followed that up by drawing a charge on Ross. Both came with right around a minute to play.
Stat of the Game: The winning team shot 28.3 percent from the floor.
Next Up: The Gators will host Arkansas (12-5, 2-2) on Saturday at 8 p.m.

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Gator staff sporting a distinct NFL flavor

January 19, 2011
Filed In Feature Stories, Football

Nothing is more crucial to the success of a new head coach than the staff he assembles. This is especially the case with the hiring of an assistant by a rookie head coach. With the announcement of Bryant Young as defensive line coach and the elimination of the Seattle Seahawks from the NFL playoffs, Will Muschamp’s coaching staff is fully assembled and free to fully devote its time to Florida football.

The primary difference between the coaching staffs assembled by previous Florida coaches and this one is, that Muschamp’s has a distinct NFL flavor to it.

For possibly the first time in its history, Florida will have a head coach, offensive coordinator, and defensive coordinator with NFL experience.

While Muschamp’s experience was limited to one season on the staff with the Miami Dolphins, that is more NFL coaching experience than Urban Meyer had upon his arrival in Gainesville.

New offensive coordinator Charlie Weis, a former offensive coordinator with the New England Patriots at their height of their Super Bowl runs and for the Kansas City Chiefs this season, also spent time as a position coach, coaching running backs and wide receivers. New defensive coordinator Dan Quinn has almost a decade of NFL experience coaching defensive lines in San Francisco, Miami, New York (Jets), and Seattle.

The NFL flavor is not limited to the coordinators, either.

In addition to Quinn and Weis, Muschamp has turned both interior lines over to coaches with significant experience in the NFL.

The offensive line will be coached by veteran Frank Verducci, who worked for the Bengals, Cowboys, Bills and Browns.

Young, who will coach the defensive line, spent 13 seasons in the NFL as a defensive tackle for the San Francisco 49ers. He won Rookie of the Year honors in 1994, Comeback Player of the Year in 1999, was a four time Pro-Bowler, and won a Super Bowl (XXIX).

Both Verducci and Young will add considerable NFL experience to positions absolutely critical to success in the SEC where virtually everyone has elite talent in the trenches. Verducci and Young were on Weis’ last Notre Dame staff as offensive line coach and as a defensive graduate assistant, respectively, and Quinn coached Young on the defensive line for one season with San Francisco. So, there should be plenty of familiarity among the new assistant coaches as well.

Florida should benefit from the assembled NFL experience on the staff in several ways. First, their experience should give new coaches instant credibility with returning players.

There may be evidence that this is already the case, as Florida’s coaching staff lost no players to transfer. The NFL credential may have influenced John Brantley decision to return for his senior year, despite his tumultuous 2010 season.

Not coincidentally, Janoris Jenkins also decided to return for the 2011 season despite the possibility that he would be a high draft pick in the NFL Draft come April. Additionally, one would think the players will respond positively to a Pro Bowl defensive lineman coaching them, or a coach who helped Matt Cassell have one of the best statistical seasons in the NFL in 2010.

Second, the NFL-laden staff should pay dividends on the recruiting trail. While it will be tough to say how the staff will do in closing out the class 2011, their combined experience should make for an easy sell to recruits down the road.

It’s no secret that most, if not all, recruits aspire to play in the NFL one day. What better way for Florida to sell that opportunity than to point out the mass of NFL experience at the coordinator and position coach level on the staff?

Florida hasn’t exactly struggled in recruiting recently. Nevertheless, the possibility of pitching NFL coaching while in college can only help with the most elite of recruits (particularly at quarterback, running back, and the offensive line).

Finally, with their backgrounds, the preparation and game-planning of the new coaching staff figure to be highly professional.

Between the retained coaches, Muschamp himself, and the coaches brought in from the NFL, there should be nothing they haven’t seen on film before.

In a league has challenging on a weekly basis as the SEC is, the fact that Charlie Weis has game-planned for Super Bowls and Dan Quinn was just coaching in the NFL playoffs this week should give Florida fans and players alike every confidence that the coaches will be prepared no matter the opponent.

It’s important to point out that in addition to the NFL coaches on the staff, Muschamp did a fine job blending retained coaches and well-connected college football coaches to give the staff the best of all worlds.

Hiring former Gator player Aubrey Hill from Miami to coach the wide receivers was a big plus, as Hill is intimately familiar with the Gators program and is well connected in the fertile recruiting grounds of south Florida. He’ll make a fine recruiting weapon along with Stan Drayton and the other holdovers from the Meyer staff that know the targets and targets areas well.

Finally, don’t forget that Muschamp himself has been in some of the biggest stages in college football as a defensive coordinator for LSU, Auburn, and Texas. No one is more intimately familiar with the college game or with recruiting the southeast than Muschamp.

The Florida coaching staff has more of the NFL experience than it has ever has and that should be a good thing. Between their abilities to coach up the returning players, recruit in the future, and to work alongside veteran college coaches and recruiters, the Gators should have no problem competing in the SEC and continuing the momentum established over the past two decades.

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UF board games: A glass monopoly

January 19, 2011
Filed In Basketball, Feature Stories

Call it playing a tougher schedule. Call it facing coaching staffs with more familiarity with what they do. Call it their own fault.

No matter what you call it, the truth is there. Florida, once considered among the top rebounding teams in the nation, hasn’t been so dominant since the beginning of Southeastern Conference play.

Prior to the SEC opener against Mississippi a week-and-a-half ago, the Gators had outrebounded 13-of-14 opponents.

The one glitch: Morehead State and power forward Kenneth Faried, a magna cum laude graduate of the Dennis Rodman School of Glass Cleaning.

Yes, Ohio State, Xavier, Central Florida, Kansas State and Florida State, among others, had been on the short end of team boards against UF.

But through three SEC games, the Gators are 0-2-1 in team rebounding and now rank seventh overall in the conference with 37.8 boards-a-game (a semi-deceiving statistic because rebounds are based on missed shots and some games have fewer of those).

Florida has just two players – No. 18 Chandler Parsons (6.5 rpg) and No. 19 Vernon Macklin (6.4) – in the SEC’s top 20 rebounders, though that is due in part to having more post depth than most.
The numbers aren’t overwhelmingly negative – Florida is only a minus-1.33 in conference play – but consider UF is plus-6.7 overall (and dropping), and it begs the question: Is there something wrong?

The SEC’s active leader in career rebounds with 687, Parsons said there is blame to go all around.

“The SEC is a physical conference,” UF’s senior swingman said. “I know the teams are a lot bigger and stronger here.

“(The problem is) just our mindset. We’ve got to come each game with the mentality we’re going to win the game on the defensive end. We’ve just got to keep rebounding.

“We’ve got great size (and) great depth. So we’ve just got to keep going to the glass on the offensive end and just keep blocking out our man on the defensive end, not giving up second chances.”

Parsons says the team can get “satisfied” when its offensive game is going well (which it has of late, scoring an average of 76.4 points in the last five games), but need continue defensive focus.

Another issue has been foul shots.

Not that it has been a positive for the Gators all year, but since SEC play started, UF has made just 38-of-59 free throws, a 64.4-percent clip. In all, Florida ranks 11th in the conference in foul shooting at 65.1 percent. Only South Carolina, which has beaten the Gators in the O’Connell Center, is making the so-called freebies at a worse rate (62.2 percent).

Parsons called his own 52.9-percent showing “confusing” because of how well he is shooting overall from the field (50.7 percent, ninth in the SEC) and on three-pointers (41.9 percent, fifth in conference).

Even steady Erving Walker (75.3 percent, 14th in the SEC) had issues, missing the foul shot on a potential three-point play, as well as the front end of a 1-and-1 late against the Gamecocks last Saturday.

The junior point guard said he has to let go of his recent troubles.

“(The misses last game are) out of my hands,” said Walker, recently passed by Kenny Boynton (76.6 percent) for the team lead in foul shooting. “Sometimes, things happen.

“I know I’m a good free throw shooter, and I’m confident stepping up to the line. I don’t want to jinx myself, but it’s rare that I just keep missing free throws. So, I just (need) to focus on the next one and be focused on the foul line.”

MIDWEEK PICKS: Here are my picks for the SEC games scheduled for this Tuesday-Thursday.

The best game goes to tonight’s Kentucky at Alabama tilt. The Crimson Tide can win this one, but I think the Big Blue pull out a tight one, 75-74.

Tennessee will fall again, this time at Georgia, 79-64.

Wednesday brings a pair of pick ‘em-types, so I will go with the home team in each. Let’s go South Carolina 68, Arkansas 62 and Vanderbilt 66, Mississippi 60.

The Gators take the court again Thursday night at Auburn.

Walker said there was a “slippage” in a couple of practices last week leading up to the South Carolina game. He added practices this week have gone very well. Because the Gators tend to play the way they practice, I think Florida gets back on track with a comfortable 71-52 victory.

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Anthony rates UF vist a perfect 10

January 9, 2011
Filed In Feature Stories, Football Recruiting

Wadesboro, N.C. (Anson HS) linebacker Stephone Anthony played in the Under Armour All-America game this week and then traveled to Gainesville for an official visit.

Anthony said he enjoyed the Under Armour experience in Florida. The 5-star linebacker played in Wednesday’s game in St. Petersburg after practicing at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Lake Buena Vista.

“It was awesome man,” Anthony said. “It was really fun. I had a great time down there. I got to compete against the best players in the nation and we just had fun.”

The highlight of the Under Armour experience wasn’t on the field for the prize recruit.

“The highlight was going to Disney,” Anthony said. “I had never been there.

“Man, it was kind of one of those trips where you just go to get a feel for things. Me and my parents took it slow and got a feel for things all over again. We got to see how things are down there now. We really enjoyed ourselves. Coach (Will) Muschamp is a great guy. The staff seems to be the way he wants it and everyone is very excited about the future.”

How did the All-American rate the Florida visit on a scale of one to ten?

“I would probably give it a 10 because my parents really enjoyed it,” Anthony said. “Everything seems okay down there with the new staff. Everybody is really excited about the change.”

What was the highlight of the visit?

“It was just being around the guys and seeing how they fell about it,” Anthony said. “With the coaching change nobody left or transferred. Everybody is excited about the future.”

The 5-star linebacker will take an official visit to Clemson next weekend.

“I just want to go up there and have a good time,” Anthony said. “I want to see some things I haven’t seen yet. I want to get around the guys and see how they feel about things.”

When asked when he will make his decision, Anthony responded, “It will still be on signing day, February 2.”

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Will Muschamp takes center court — briefly

January 9, 2011
Filed In Football

Football took center court briefly as the 19th head coach at Florida received a warm ovation and mini-standing ovation at the O’Connell center, saying briefly and to the point that football was “only 238 days away.”

Will Muschamp met briefly with the media and said hello to part of The Gator Nation Saturday night during the first time out, reminding everybody that football was just around the corner.

Then he got out of the way so Billy Donovan’s team could get back to the business at hand of trying to win its first SEC encounter of the season, which it did by beating Ole Miss, 77-71.

Muschamp has come out smokin’ since the Outback Bowl, working hard to make the transition smoother so as not to have a break in recruiting momentum. He’s had his Gator pom-poms out and has been checking in on the talk radio circuit with interviews in Orlando, Miami and the Dan Patrick Show on Fox radio.

In the short meeting with the media Saturday night, he talked about filling the last coaching spot and the process of hiring: “When I hire somebody, I really just describe what I want at the position, the critical factors — a lot like recruiting a player. You decide what you want, what you’re looking for, then go get it. We’ve been very fortunate. The support of our administration’s been outstanding. (I am) real pleased with where we are.”

Although he didn’t say who it was or what the spot would be, Muschamp said he did have someone in mind. He also explained that Charlie Weis fit all the criteria he had in mind for an offensive coordinator, with both pro and college, and that he was not surprised that he could hire Weis because “It’s Florida. It’s a great place. A lot of people want to coach here.”

Of course he’s working hard to catch up on recruiting, but doesn’t feel that having his two coordinators away in the NFL playoffs have hurt the process at all.

“I think it’s great,” Muschamp said.” We’re watching the Gator coaches coach tonight and tomorrow. I think that’s exciting. If I’m a high school football player and I have aspirations of playing on the next level, which most kids do, they’re going to come to a great institution at the University of Florida, they’re going to get a great education and they’re watching their future coaches coach and coordinate in the National Football League in the playoffs.”

He bragged on his new defensive line coach, Dan Quinn, and called him one of the best he’s ever seen.

“He and I were together at the Miami Dolphins,” he said of Quinn. “Jason Taylor texted me the night before we announced him, realized we’d hired Dan, and was shocked that we were able to get Dan here. That’s how much he thought of Dan as a coach, how he helped him further his career. He was NFL Defensive Player of the Year under Dan’s tutelage. That tells you what kind of coach he thinks he is.”

His biggest challenge as a head coach, he said, was having to deal more with the media because of time constraints.

“To me it’s all time management, balancing the entire team instead of just one side of the ball — obviously a lot more obligations in what you’ve got to do, but it’s been fine.”
So our first official meeting with the 19th head coach of the Gators since he was announced was the impromptu, on-the-fly chat outside Gate One. I would characterize it as pleasant, business-like and pretty much to the point.

Little by little, Will Muschamp’s portrait is emerging with each interview.

Because he is so animated on the sideline and therefore nicknamed “Coach Boom” prompted by his spontaneous chest and hip bumps, some people tend to think of him as somewhat playful — almost cartoonish. He admits he gets carried away and said in an interview that his wife Carol tends to chide him about it a bit.

He told Dan Patrick that Carol wonders “who I am” on game day sometimes and wants to know if he’s having an
“out-of-body experience” on sidelines.

Some of the other things we learned on his talk show tour:

—He’s glad to have Urban Meyer around and that he (Muschamp) says he’s secure, doesn’t have a big ego and “I know what he (Meyer) has accomplished here.”

—UF academics and the setting of The Swamp are big recruiting advantages. He says of Florida Field, where he grew up watching the Gators play and later coached: “I’ve been on the wrong sideline of it too many times and it’s not an easy stadium to walk into.”

—As for the “Coach Boom” moniker, he owns up to it, but don’t expect him to walk around acting out his John Madden routine. Mike Bianchi tried to coach a “Boom” out of him on the radio and Will declined with “No, not on the radio.” He did say, “I’m excited the direction we are headed and I want our guys to play physical.”

—He will pull for Auburn against Oregon, naturally, because he coached here and the Tigers have “about nine defensive players I recruited or coached.” One of this was star defensive lineman Nick Fairly.

—He told Patrick he’s had “a lot of contact with Urban — Urban’s been great. I talked to Urban an hour the day I took the job. I also attended about 4-5 practices I was able to evaluate the team and the players.”

—As for the report that he almost got the Auburn head coaching job before Gene Chizik, he said that was a case of mistaken identity. “I was never contacted,” he said. “I think there’s a little confusion. They got confused and when it was said ‘a former defensive coordinator’ at Auburn would get the job.” Wrong defensive coordinator.

—And, finally, as far as how much longer Mack Brown will coach: “The only once person who can answer that is Mack. When we started the coach in waiting, I felt real good about it – and still I still did. But there was no timetable for Mack – we had a great relationship. It was going to be up to him.”

So Muschamp is on the loose, sprinkling a little orange blue into the lives of Floridians and maybe even writing a little imaginary graffiti on the walls. Contrary to what you may hear, however, he did not paint this real live alligator orange in Venice:

http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20110106/BREAKING/110109882/-1/sports?Title=Orange-gator-turns-heads-in-pond-at-Nokomis-subdivision

It could be an omen, though.

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Army strong

January 9, 2011
Filed In Feature Stories, Uncategorized

SAN ANTONIO – One of the most dominant players in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl was defensive tackle Tim Jernigan. Jernigan helped lead the East to a 13-10 victory over the West squad in front of 37,893 fans on Sunday at the Alamodome.

Jernigan (Lake City/ Columbia HS) was credited with only two tackles, half a sack and a quarterback hurry, but he camped out in the West backfield all afternoon. The fact that he played well was a surprise considering he wasn’t even planning to play because of a back and rib injury.

“After the walk-through yesterday I didn’t think I would be able to play,” Jernigan said. “I prayed on it overnight, and when I woke up it felt a little better. After warm ups I felt like I might be able to go and after I got that first tackle I knew I would be okay.”

Jernigan said after the game that several of his East teammates were trying to persuade him to attend their colleges.

“(Richmond, Va./ Hermitage HS linebacker) Curtis Grant has been trying to get me to cross over, but I won’t put it out where he’s going until he commits,” Jernigan said. “(Bradenton/ Manatee HS running back) Mike Blakely has been talking to me a lot about Florida, and (Tampa/ Plant HS running back) James Wilder has been on me about Florida State,” Jernigan said.

“So there are a lot of mixed emotions in there for me.”

So when will Jernigan make a final decision?

“I don’t really have a choice; I will have to wait until signing day,” Jernigan said. “With Alabama’s defensive line coach (Bo Davis) leaving, and Les Miles might be leaving for Michigan.”

The uncertainty in the college coaching world has Jernigan concerned.

“To me right now it’s going to be a matter of trust,” Jernigan said. “You know, who can I trust the most, that’s the biggest thing to me.”

Just a few days ago, the No. 4 defensive tackle in the country said that he was 90-percent sure he would be attending either Florida State, Alabama or LSU and that he would probably not be visiting Florida.

According to Jernigan things change on a daily basis for him. So will he visit Florida before signing day on Feb. 2?

“It’s possible, it’s possible,” Jernigan said. “Everything with my recruitment changes daily, so it’s possible.”

NEW DEFENSIVE END ON BOARD

Four-star defensive end Jermauria Rasco (6-3/249, Shreveport, La./ Evangel HS) is a new name to the Florida recruiting board. Rasco credits Florida head coach Will Muschamp for his sudden interest in the Gators.

“I’m considering Florida now because of coach Muschamp,” Rasco said. “He called me last week and we talked a little bit, and he talked to my mom for a while. I’m trying to set up a visit to Florida but I’m not sure what weekend that will be.”

Rasco, who is also considering Florida State, Alabama, LSU and Arkansas, but does not list any school as the leading candidate for his signature.

So how did his interest in Florida transpire?

“When (Muschamp) was at Texas we had a great relationship, Rasco said. “He was going to be my main reason for going to Texas, after I heard that he left I didn’t think he would get in contact with me.

“Before you know it, he hit me up, and asked if I would mind coming out to Florida to check it out, and I said ‘yeah.’”

Rasco says he plans to wait until signing day to make a decision.

BLAKELY BUSY RECRUITING WHILE SITTING ON SIDELINE

Florida’s lone commit in the game running back Mike Blakely (5-9/194, Bradenton/Manatee) was upset after the game for a lack of playing time and carries. On the day Blakely had no carries and only one kick return for 16 yards.

Blakely, who said after the game that he will be heading to Gainesville on Monday, said he was excited to get to Gainesville but sad for another reason.

“I’m kind of sad,” Blakely said. “I spent the whole week here, not with my family, just to come here and not play.”

Blakely’s high school coach Joe Kinnan said after the game that he has never seen an all-star game use a rotation like Saturday’s game, and that he was very disappointed that Blakely didn’t get more playing time or carries. He said the point is to rotate guys and let every play and everyone get a few carries. Kinnan added that he might consider the other all-star games for his players in the future.

Blakely’s lack of playing time didn’t deter him from trying to convince other players to attend Florida.

“Yeah I’m trying to get Jern (Jernigan), Pagan (DE Jeoffrey Pagan), and Stew (LB Tony Steward),” Blakely said. “I’m trying to get them, that’s high-class right there. We need those guys.”

According to Blakely, those highly rated players will visit Florida.

“They all told me they would be visiting in the next couple weeks,” Blakely said. “Curtis Grant said he would be visiting too. I told them I would be up there so they should hit me up when they are in town.”

OTHER NOTES

- Grant was named American Family Insurance Defensive Player of the Year. Grant finished his senior season with 74 tackles, 16 tackles-for-loss, six pass breakups, two interceptions, and two forced fumbles.

Grant registered five tackles and 0.5 tackles-for-loss in Saturday’s game.

- Orlando (Dr. Phillips HS) running back Dee Hart, who was considering Florida, announced that he will be attending Alabama with his teammate Ha’Sean Clinton-Dix.

Hart, who won the Army Player of the Year award yesterday, was also named the offensive MVP of the Army All-American Bowl. Hart finished with 101 yards on only eight carries, becoming the first 100-yd rusher in the 11-year history of the game.

- South Fort Myers (South Fort Myers HS) wide receiver Sammy Watkins said after the game the East squad used him as a decoy because of a hip injury he sustained early in the game.

Watkins, who said earlier this week that he was planning to visit Florida, now says he’s not 100-percent sure he will do that.

“I have talk about it with my parents,” Watkins said. “More than likely they are going to say no, but I just don’t know yet.”

“I’m still a solid commit to Clemson, and will sign with them on February 2.”

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Steward plans to visit Gators

January 9, 2011
Filed In Football Recruiting

SAN ANTONIO — A torn ACL didn’t keep St. Augustine (Menendez HS) linebacker Tony Steward from attending the U.S. Army All-America Bowl on Saturday at the Alamodome.

Unable to compete in the game after tearing his ACL in his final high school game, Steward watched on crutches from the sideline less than a month after having surgery on his knee.

“It was a good experience meeting some of the other players, meeting pretty much the best athletes from around the country,” Steward said. “It was good to bond with them and everything. It was different, I’ve never been to Texas before.”

Steward’s East team won 13-10 despite the absence of the five-star defender who is ranked No. 1 by ESPN for all inside linebackers in the Class of 2011.

“It was a real exciting thing, I wish I could have been able to play,” Steward said. “The East pulled it out like I thought they would.”

Steward arrived on Thursday, four days after the rest of the players.

“I enjoyed being out here,” Steward said. “It would have been better if I would have been able to play, but it was good to be out here representing my school, my family and the East.”

Bradenton (Manatee HS) running back Mike Blakely, a verbal commitment to Florida, sat next to Steward for most of the game.

“I talked to some of the players,” Steward said. “We thought that it might be cool to go to school together, but I guess we’ll see at the end of the process.”

Steward listed Florida State, Clemson, Florida and UCLA as the schools he in considering.

With less than a month remaining before National Signing Day on Feb. 2, Steward plans to make at least three visits to potential colleges.

“I have a visit set up for Clemson next week and Florida State the week after,” Steward said. “I’m maybe going to find a way to put Florida in for a few days.”

Florida head coach Will Muschamp has already begun recruiting Steward.

“He’s a defensive guy,” Steward said about Muschamp. “He came earlier this week and talked to me. He’s trying to get me on campus with the new coaches and the new system. Hopefully we’ll be able to get that done.”

Steward said he would have to make a mid-week visit to Gainesville because his remaining weekends are full.

Florida State has been considered the front-runner for Steward.

“Everybody buys into one cause, it’s pretty much one voice,” Steward same about the Seminoles. “Hopefully, I’ll be able to make a decision soon.”

Being such a highly-recruited player has it’s benefits, but also means that the player will hear the same rhetoric from the numerous college coaches that contact him.

“I’ve heard what I hear from everybody, it’s the same old,” Steward said. “I’m just going to get down there and see.”

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Gators host Rebels to open SEC play

January 8, 2011
Filed In Basketball

Southeastern Conference play begins Saturday night for the Gators, and the visitors not only are coming off a season where they shared the Western Division crown, they are among the favorites to do so again.

However, there is a big difference in the talent-heavy East and Mississippi’s only so-so West.

The RPIs bear this out.

In the West, only the Rebels (12-3) have an RPI in the nation’s top-60 (they sit 55th). The East, meanwhile, includes five teams with RPIs in the top-60.

Kentucky (12-2) is the highest, with an RPI of five. The Gators (11-3) aren’t far back at 13. Tennessee (10-4) is 27th and Georgia (11-2) is 58th.

Of the Eastern teams, only South Carolina (9-4, RPI 160) ranks low. Still, even that number would be third in the West, behind Mississippi and Arkansas (10-3, RPI 140).

So, while the rest of the West doesn’t appear to offer much in the way of resistance, Ole Miss just might.

While not quite as balanced as UF, which has all five starters averaging between 9.3 and 13.9 points-a-game, the Rebels have four starters averaging between 8.6 and 18.5 points for the season.

However, Florida has owned this series of late, winning eight of the last nine meetings, including last February’s 64-61 victory in Oxford. The Gators also have won five straight at home in the series, by an average margin of 19 points.

In fact, UF handled not just the Rebels, but the entire West last season, going 6-0. And that domination has been in effect since 2000, as UF has gone 54-16 (29-4 at home) against the other division.

If the Gators continue to play like they did in their two most recent outings – comfortable wins at Xavier and home against Rhode Island – they will get off to a great start in conference play.

FIVE QUESTIONS FOR
Mississippi
1. Rebels’ senior Chris Warren, an Orlando native, is one of the SEC’s best guards and is second in the league in scoring at 18.5 ppg. In order to win, Ole Miss likely needs a big game out of its point guard. Will UF be able to slow him down?

2. Mississippi enters the contest averaging 78.1 points-a-game, third-best in the SEC. Florida, meanwhile, is allowing just 59.4 ppg. Obviously, something has to give here. What will it be, the Rebels’ offense or Florida’s defense?

3. Gator senior center Vernon Macklin has nursed knee and shoulder injuries this year, yet he has remained effective. The possibility exists he will be guarded by a 6-foot-8 freshman (Demarco Cox). Will Macklin be able to dominate this matchup?

4. These are two very good rebounding teams. Florida enters with a plus-8.5 average rebounding margin, while Ole Miss is at plus-6.0. Who will win the battle of the boards?

5. Gator junior point guard Erving Walker needs just 14 points to reach 1,000 for his career. Will he reach the milestone during this game, and, if so, when?

FIVE QUESTIONS FOR/ANSWERS FROM
Rhode Island
1. Who will be the Gator called upon to defend Rhode Island standout Delroy James the most, and how will he do?
Answer: The Gators used a variety of defenders, and James finished with a game-high 23 points and six rebounds. He was pretty much all of Rhode Island’s offense.

2. Vernon Macklin had to leave the victory against Xavier with a shoulder injury. He did return to the game and participated in the Gators’ most recent practice. Will the injury hinder him?
Answer: The injury was significant enough to warrant giving freshman Patric Young his first career start at center. However, Macklin did play and contributed six points, three rebounds and a blocked shot in 22 minutes.

3. Erving Walker has scored between 18 and 21 points in each of the last three games. Can he continue his scoring run?
Answer: Walker finished with 14 points, five assists and a pair of steals. I awarded Chandler Parsons the “player of the game”, but many readers said they felt Walker deserved the nod.

4. Following UF’s two previous “biggest victories of the season”, the Gators came back with a loss. Can they reverse that trend here, just a few days after snapping Xavier’s 30-game homecourt winning streak?
Answer: The Gators looked tremendous, earning their second consecutive “A” grade from this writer. They dominated start-to-finish.

5. Florida backup power forward Erik Murphy is a Rhode Island native. He isn’t going home for this one, but no doubt he is excited. How will he fare?
Answer: Murphy missed the game with a sprained foot. He was scheduled to miss 5-10 days.

GAME 15 PREVIEW
FLORIDA GATORS (11-3)
Position: Players, Height/Weight, Year, 2010-11 statistics
G: Erving Walker, 5-8/171, JR, 13.9 points per game, 3.1 assists per game
G: Kenny Boynton, 6-2/183, SO, 12.3 points per game, 2.6 assists per game
F: Chandler Parsons, 6-10/218, SR, 9.9 points per game, 6.7 rebounds per game
F: Alex Tyus, 6-8/220, SR, 9.3 points per game, 5.0 rebounds per game
C: Vernon Macklin, 6-10/240, SR, 10.5 points per game, 6.1 rebounds per game
Head coach: Billy Donovan (342-142 in 15th season at Florida; 377-162 in 17th season as a head coach)

MISSISSIPPI REBELS (12-3)
Position: Players, Height/Weight, Year, 2010-11 statistics
G: Chris Warren, 5-10/168, SR, 18.5 points per game, 4.3 assists per game
G:Nick Williams, 6-4/215, SO, 8.6 points per game, 4.3 rebounds per game
G: Zach Graham, 6-6/210, SR, 14.1 points per game, 4.4 rebounds per game
F: Terrance Henry, 6-10/210, JR, 8.8 points per game, 6.2 rebounds per game
C: Demarco Cox, 6-8/295, FR, 2.5 points per game, 2.7 rebounds per game
Head coach: Andy Kennedy (97-53 in fifth season at Mississippi, and 118-66 in six years overall)

When: Saturday, Jan. 8 at 8 p.m.
Where: Stephen C. O’Connell Center
TV/Radio: CSS/Gator Radio Network/Sirius 121/XM 141
Tickets: Available. Contact the University of Florida ticket office at (352) 374-4683 ex: 6800, or visit www.gatorzone.com.

Notable: Entering Saturday night, these two programs have played exactly 100 times. Florida holds a 58-42 series lead. … UF is 22-2 all-time when Walker dishes out at least five assists. … Walker and sophomore shooting guard Kenny Boynton have combined for 56 of Florida’s 77 three-pointers this season. … Walker is averaging 17.2 ppg over his last five games, the best scoring stretch of the year so far for any Gator player. For the year Walker is making 45.1-percent of his three-point attempts, easily the best on Florida’s roster. … The Gators have 73 offensive rebounds combined in their four most recent games. For the year UF is averaging 13.9 offensive boards-a-game. Florida leads the SEC in offensive rebound percentage (42.2). … Rhode Island entered Monday’s game averaging 8.3 made three-pointers. The Gators limited the Rams to just 4-of-23 from deep. … Chandler Parsons’ 18 points against URI gave him 1,184 for his career, third-best among active players in the SEC. That total moves him past Taurean Green (1,174) and Parsons’ former college, high school and AAU teammate, Nick Calathes (1,170). … Parsons has pulled down nearly 10 rebounds-a-game over his last four. The 6-10 senior swingman has 39 total boards during that stretch. His 670 career boards leads all current SEC players. … Ole Miss has won nine of 10 games. … The Rebels feature nine players averaging at least 12 minutes-a-game. … Mississippi leads the SEC in team free-throw shooting (74.5-percent). … Florida has been outrebounded only once all season, by Kenneth Faried-led Morehead State on Nov. 21. … Coach Billy Donovan is 11-6 all-time against the Rebels. … If Florida wins 13 conference games this year, that will give Donovan 150 victories in conference for his career. … UF is 123-14 during the last five years when holding opponents to 70 or fewer points (11-1 in 2010-11). … The Gators are 4-0 this year when recording at least 10 steals. In 11 wins this year, UF is averaging 7.6 steals and are forcing 14.8 turnovers. … Florida has no more non-conference games remaining this regular season. … In the lifetime series with Mississippi, Florida is 2-1 in games decided by a point. Oddly, the Gators are 3-7 in games decided by two points and 2-3 in games decided by three points.

PAST EXAMS AND GATOR(GR)ADES
Game 1: Florida 77, UNC Wilmington 60. Gator Player of the Game: Scottie Wilbekin (3 points, 5 assists, 4 steals); Opposing Player of the Game: Chad Tomko (15 points, 3 assists, 3 rebounds, 2 steals). Patton’s Gator(Gr)ade: B– . Record: 1-0.

Game 2: Ohio State 93, Florida 75. Gator Player of the Game: Vernon Macklin (12 points, 5 rebounds, 1 block); Opposing Players of the Game: David Lighty (26 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal) and Jared Sullinger (26 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals). Patton’s Gator(Gr)ade: C. Record: 1-1.

Game 3: Florida 105, North Carolina A&T 55. Gator Player of the Game: Will Yeguete (7 points, 15 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals); Opposing Player of the Game: Thomas Coleman (8 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks, 1 steal). Patton’s Gator(Gr)ade: A– . Record: 2-1.

Game 4: Florida 61, Morehead State 55. Gator Player of the Game: Chandler Parsons (13 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals); Opposing Player of the Game: Kenneth Faried (20 points, 18 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocked shots. Patton’s Gator(Gr)ade: C– . Record: 3-1.

Game 5: Florida 79, Florida Atlantic 63. Gator Players of the Game: Alex Tyus (19 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist) and Kenny Boynton (21 points, 2 assists, 1 rebound); Opposing Player of the Game: Greg Gantt (17 points, 2 assists, 1 steal). Patton’s Gator(Gr)ade: B-. Record: 4-1.

Game 6: Florida 55, Florida State 51. Gator Player of the Game: Erik Murphy (10 points, 6 rebounds, 1 blocked shot); Opposing Player of the Game: Michael Snaer (15 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists). Patton’s Gator(Gr)ade: A-. Record: 5-1.

Game 7: Central Florida 57, Florida 54. Gator Player of the Game: Vernon Macklin (20 points on 10-of-11 shooting, 8 rebounds); Opposing Player of the Game: Marcus Jordan (18 points, 3 assists, 3 rebounds). Patton’s Gator(Gr)ade: C-. Record: 5-2.

Game 8: Florida 67, American 48. Gator Player of the Game: Chandler Parsons (13 points on 5-of-7 shooting, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals); Opposing Player of the Game: Troy Brewer (17 points, 2 rebounds). Patton’s Gator(Gr)ade: A-. Record: 6-2.

Game 9: Florida 65, Kent State 52. Gator Players of the Game: Alex Tyus (20 points on 10-of-15 shooting, 5 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 assist) and Vernon Macklin (19 points on 9-of-12 shooting, 8 rebounds, 3 blocked shots, 1 steal, 1 assist); Opposing Player of the Game: Carlton Guyton (14 points, 4-of-6 on three-pointers, 3 rebounds, 3 assists). Patton’s Gator(Gr)ade: A-. Record: 7-2.

Game 10: Florida 57, Kansas State 44. Gator Players of the Game: Kenny Boynton (15 points on 6-of-12 shooting, 1 assist, helped limit Pullen to 6-of-17 shooting); Opposing Player of the Game: Jacob Pullen (19 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal). Patton’s Gator(Gr)ade: A-. Record: 8-2.

Game 11: Jacksonville 71, Florida 68 (OT). Gator Player of the Game: Erving Walker (game-high 21 points, 2 assists, 1 rebound); Opposing Player of the Game: Keith McDougald (team-high 18 points – 15 in the second half/overtime, 2 steals, 1 rebound). Patton’s Gator(Gr)ade: D+. Record: 8-3.

Game 12: Florida 66, Radford 55. Gator Player of the Game: Erving Walker (game-high 20 points, including 5-of-7 on 3s, 3 assists, 2 steals); Opposing Player of the Game: Johnathan Edwards (team-high 15 points, 9 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 assist). Patton’s Gator(Gr)ade: C-. Record: 9-3.

Game 13: Florida 71, Xavier 67. Gator Player of the Game: Kenny Boynton (16 points, 6 assists, 2 rebounds, 1 steal); Opposing Player of the Game: Tu Holloway (game-high 26 points, 6 assists, 2 rebounds, 2 steals). Patton’s Gator(Gr)ade: A. Record: 10-3.

Game 14: Florida 84, Rhode Island 59. Gator Player of the Game: Chandler Parsons (18 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal, 1 blocked shot); Opposing Player of the Game: Delroy James (game-high 23 points, 6 rebounds). Patton’s Gator(Gr)ade: A. Record: 11-3.

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Catching up with Will, Charlie and Tim

January 7, 2011
Filed In Feature Stories, Football

1. Don’t know about you, but I’m a sucker for those TV shows when they pull back the curtain and show us what’s happening behind the scenes as the Tim Tebow documentary did (“Everything in Between”). I guess part of the “in between” was agent Jimmy Sexton, who came off as a bit of a draft genius when his scenario on Denver played out exactly as it was. Impressive.

Of course, Sexton was one of the producers of the show for ESPN, but even given that particular slant it was entertaining and informative. Highly recommended by Jump Starts. (If you missed “In Between,” we are hearing that it is suppose to be replayed tonight and several times over the weekend, although we are unable to find it on the grid and unable to reach ESPN by phone or text to confirm. If so, check it out and see who all you recognize as “extras.”).

2. I think the more we know about Will Muschamp, the better Gator fans are going to feel about him and his future relationships — with everybody from Charlie Weis to Jeremy Foley to the Gator Nation itself. Among those who are happiest for Will are Ward Pell, whose son Carrick attended Oak Hall with Muschamp. “We are all proud of Will,” Ward said on her Facebook message to us.

3. Most revealing parts of Muschamp’s recent interview with former Dolphin Joe Rose on WQAM:

a) That Charlie Weis took a substantial pay cut to come to UF;
b) That Weis’ wife Maura and their special needs daughter Hannah will move back to South Bend while Charlie and son Charlie Jr. head to Gainesville;
c) That Muschamp picked up the phone and called Weis on a bit of a whim;
d) That Muschamp says he’s talked to Johnny Brantley (but didn’t say what about or whether he thinks JBIV is coming back).

4. It’s way to early too start talking about a depth chart and positions yet, but have the feeling that by doing the right thing, both Muschamp and Brantley will be rewarded. I am also intrigued to see what Weis can do about Florida’s running game (the Chiefs were No. 1 in the NFL this season) and if he can bring out the talent that we all know JBIV has. Still wondering if Muschamp will pull a bigger running back/fullback type out in this recruiting class.

5. Aside from that, I can’t wait to see what Weis does with Jordan Reed, if Aubrey Hill can solve the mystery behind the disappearing act of Andre Debose and how long it will take Muschamp to put Trey Burton at safety (Trey has already made reference to it via social media). And, of course, what they’ll all do with Jeff Driskel — and how soon.

6. Speaking of Jeff Driskel, Friday is an important day because he’s scheduled to enroll at UF and that validates his commitment as a Gator, the same as if he’d signed on National Signing Day.

7. I can see that Muschamp-Weis tandem overcoming any personality clashes if Charlie is allowed the call plays and Will focuses on defense as Bob Stoops did with Steve Spurrier. They should remind themselves occasionally that the head coach has to worry about everybody, however, as did Spurrier when he was warned by his wife Jerri that riding on the offensive bus to games all the time could send the wrong message to the defense (so he changed).

8. Give it up for Andrew Luck, who has passed up being the NFL’s No. 1 draft pick to stay at Stanford another year and complete his engineering degree. Obviously Luck didn’t major in economics because he just passed up a gazillion bucks, but he made a powerful statement much like Tebow did by choosing to come back for his senior year. Here’s hoping Luck will have some luck for making that choice.

9. No way, no how that Jeremy Foley ever contacted Major Applewhite, he says, but no doubt Applewhite had a good talk with his friend Muschamp. It’s quite obvious that Applewhite will be under consideration as Mack Brown’s replacement after next season (can he possibly last past 2011?). So no need to make a lateral move. Same for Kirby Smart, who could be in line at Georgia as Greg McGarity’s first choice to replace Mark Richt should that vacancy occur.

10. What’s this, resigning Presidential Press Secretary Robert Gibbs threatening to turn the White House into Toomer’s Corner if Auburn beats Oregon for the national championship? Just wondering if he’ll pay for all that toilet paper himself or if it will be taxpayer’s money. (Actually, I love the fact that it shows the rest of the world just how passionate SEC football fans really are, although Gibbs is a graduate of N.C. State).

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Future stars shine in UA AA game

January 6, 2011
Filed In Feature Stories, Football Recruiting

ST. PETERSBURG — News and notes from an exciting Under Armour All-American football game, won 24-22 on a last-second field goal by Team Click-Clack (Red) kicker Taylor Bertolet.

The contest took place Wednesday night in front of an announced crowd of 23,259 at Tropicana Field.

GATOR GET: The biggest news for the Gators came in the first quarter when Miami Monsignor Pace defensive back Jabari Gorman committed to Florida.

Gorman listed his finalists as UF, Miami and Ohio State, but the Hurricanes had fallen back a bit after the coaching change from Randy Shannon to Al Golden. Gorman visited Gainesville on the weekend of Dec. 10. He took in Ohio State the weekend of Sept. 24.

Recently hired Gator receivers coach Aubrey Hill was in charge of Gorman’s recruitment to Miami, so any familiarity there certainly didn’t hurt. However, a source close to the situation said it was new coach Will Muschamp who “sealed the deal.”

At 6-foot, 180 pounds, Gorman worked out at cornerback and safety during practice for the game and showcased outstanding tackling ability.

Gorman said his goal at UF is simple.

“I want to win a national championship, and I think I have a great chance of doing that at Florida,” said Gorman, who finished the game with two tackles.

As expected, two other prospects who listed UF as finalists committed to other schools.

Soon after the Gators got Gorman’s commitment, Miami Jackson safety Robenson Therezie picked Auburn over UF and Alabama. He will be joined on The Plains by Lagrange (Ga.) Troup running back Quan Bray, who also considered Florida, Georgia and Alabama. Bray said he still plans to visit Florida on Jan. 15.

All verbal commitments are non-binding. National Signing Day is Feb. 2.

ROBERSON & CHICKILLO: Two prospects UF didn’t appear to be frontrunners for just a month ago now have the Gators at or near the top of their lists.

Red defensive end Anthony Chickillo, who seemed to be seeking residence in the White backfield, remains committed to Miami. However, the Tampa Alonso product also said Florida is “gaining ground.”

Chickillo is scheduled to meet with Golden soon, and that will make a big difference in how seriously Chickillo takes any flirtation with UF and FSU (which has a commitment from Chickillo’s close friend, James Wilder, Jr.). Either way, Muschamp will get an audience with Chickillo (as well as highly coveted linebacker Stephone Anthony and 320-pound defensive tackle Shawn Underwood, among others) this weekend when the 6-3, 240-pounder visits Gainesville.

Chickillo earned Red MVP honors by finishing Wednesday’s game with four tackles, one-and-a-half sacks, a fumble recovery and a quarterback hurry. Jarvis Landry, an LSU commitment, was named the White MVP after catching eight passes for 70 yards and a touchdown.

Also, Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas defensive back Marcus Roberson has narrowed his list to Auburn, Florida, Texas Tech and Georgia. But it looks like it could be down to the Tigers and Gators for the 6-1, 170-pounder, who had an interception in the game.

Not only would Roberson be a good get for teams the next few years, it never hurts any coach to get in with Aquinas, arguably the nation’s No. 1 program. Coach George Smith, a Florida High School Athletic Association Hall of Famer, sent cornerback Cody Riggs to UF last season.

Roberson finished Wednesday’s game with an assist to go along with the interception he returned 20 yards for the White. He is scheduled to visit UF the weekend of Jan. 21, one week after he takes in USC.

Roberson already has visited Georgia (Sept. 17), Auburn (Sept. 24) and Texas Tech (Nov. 5), so Florida will be getting his final trip.

TRANSFERS?: The mother of a somewhat highly recruited defensive player in the Class of 2010 called a Gator staff member recently to inquire about her son transferring to UF.

She was told that while they thought her son was a fine player, there just were not enough scholarships available. No word on whether her son will stay at his current school (which is based in Florida).

(MUS)CHAMP RECRUITER: A source close to UF recruiting said Muschamp shares a similar passion for recruiting as his predecessor, Urban Meyer.

“Will is unbelievable,” the source said. “He has so much energy and enthusiasm. He hit the ground running with the kids we are going after, and he develops good relationships quickly. He’s really easy to get along with.

“We are going to get a lot of elite players in here because of him.”

OTHER SELECTIONS: In addition to Gorman, Bray and Therezie, Griffin (Ga.) defensive end Xzavier Dickson committed to Alabama over Georgia, Akron (Ohio) St. Vincent-St. Mary’s cornerback Doran Grant selected Ohio State over Michigan State, and Vero Beach offensive guard Marcus Jackson chose Tennessee over Michigan State and Miami (where he once was a commitment). Grant attends LeBron James’ alma mater. Also, Hollywood (Calif.) defensive end Greg Townsend, Jr. committed to hometown Southern California over Texas Christian, and Fontana (Calif.) athlete Devon Blackmon chose Oregon over USC and UCLA.

FUTURE GATOR STATS: UF quarterback commitment Jeff Driskel didn’t have the most efficient of games, but he was impressive for the Red.

Driskel completed just 2-of-8 passes for 18 yards, including a dropped potential touchdown and a tipped interception that was returned by Florida State safety commitment Karlos Williams for a touchdown. However, the Oviedo Hagerty product did lead all rushers with six carries for 80 yards, a game record. That total included a spectacular 63-yard touchdown (also a record) he concluded with a Gator chomp.

Receiving commitment Ja’Juan Story caught one pass for nine yards. Tight end commitment A.C. Leonard recorded a tackle on special teams, but did not catch a pass. He took perhaps the game’s hardest hit (from Williams) early in the contest on a ball Leonard could not hang onto.

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