OGT-Florida (9-4/0-1 SEC) vs. #9 Auburn (13-1/2-0 SEC) ESPN2 8:00 1/8/2022

Would Foley tolerate this level of futility after Donovan for so many years? This is year 7 of Mike White's era. We have been the doormat of the SEC every year save one, and have not either challenged for a SEC championship or Tournament Championship since he's been here.

Too many turnovers and too many layups that were not finished characterized the last two games. Couple that with critical free throws and 3 pointers that were missed, and we are watching a team that at the beginning of the year showed so much promise, but now is playing like they don't belong in the conference much of the game. Castleton is the only consistent factor on the team. And that is great for him but sad for the other scholarship players.

You are absolutely right! The people who want to put this era of mediocrity on the players do not help the cause of the coaching staff since they are the ones recruiting the players.

The MW era can be best characterized by stubbornness. He has through his tenure recruited undersized individuals. Yesterday 6’3” Appleby was guarding the consensus number pick in The draft 6’10” Jabari Smith.

Not only is this an easy post waiting to happen, or a foul waiting to happen in the act of shooting, or an easy offensive rebound and put back.

How many times have we seen our guards being forced to defend power forwards and even centers.

Once in a quarter century you might get a Johnson who is 6’5” and plays like 6’10”. Our coaching staff recruiting players who are 6’3” - 6’7” and forcing them to guard players who are 4 and 5 inches taller game in and game out in the SEC is a prescription for FAILURE. And that is what we have seen under Mike White. FAILURE as a viable force in the SEC.


This has changed with this recruiting class coming in where we have 6’10” and 6’8” athletic people coming coming in in Reed and Reneau who if given a chance play (which is another issue).

This shows growth on the part of MW. He is finally realizing that he has NO CHANCE of being a legitimate SEC basketball coach playing guards in power forward positions.

I say we celebrate the turn of the page in Florida basketball with this incoming class, give MW, who really does want to win but just employed the wrong formula to do so, another couple of years to coach with size at the right positions, and see where it goes.

This year has to be viewed as one of transition. Jitoboh, Reeves, and Kennedy should be given many more minutes.

They are the three that will be back for sure (hopefully Reeves will return).

 

If you don't watch, how are you going to continue giving well-informed, savvy, basketball hot takes? It's kinda strange being on a UF sports board and proclaiming to your fellow Gator fans how you're not interested in being a fan.

 

I read box scores and occasionally read articles.