MBB OGT: NCAA Tournament -- (1) FLORIDA vs (4) Maryland -- March 27, 2025 -- 7:39 PM [TBS]

I got the feeling he decided to go into "pass first" mode in the second half. He made a lot of good plays, but I would generally prefer seeing him take more of the shot opportunities that he had.

I also wonder if he did out of "an abundance of confidence" that we didn't really need him to be in scoring mode. I didn't share that confidence as I remained nervous until I realized Maryland had already thrown in the towel while I was getting stressed out that Richard had needlessly fouled someone near half court with under 3 minutes left.

 

There aren't many teams those guys wouldn't start for.

 

Sorry for the repetitious post:



I mean, what else is there to say when it works so well?

 

And yes, this is rather ill-timed because we are all feeling the effects of the afterglow. Texas Tech is a quality basketball team and Arkansas should have won the game if they hadn't made as many mistakes as they did. But a team has to take advantage of the opportunities when they present themselves and they did. Good for them.

My point is that our goal of getting to the FF is firmly in our sights. Obviously winning the whole thing is the ultimate goal, but anything can happen with increasingly better playing teams moving up. Nothing is a given. And so, while Mike White got us this far, if you had told me at the beginning of the season we will make it to the Elite 8 I would have said "Hell YEAH!!". And now we are wanting (expecting really) more. MUCH more.

If we end up losing the game and not moving to the FF, is that a crime for Golden and this team? Can't we just enjoy what we have witnessed without the angst of potentially not standing at the top? Can't we at least ONCE enjoy the journey without the negative rhetoric about missed opportunities and less-than-elite play, coaching or even missed calls by the refs?

For me, I am truly blessed being a Gator fan and having the opportunity of witnessing most of the games this year. I do hope some of you feel the same way.

 

I agree on Clayton, looked like they started the 2nd half with an emphasis on getting the ball inside with clean looks at the basket. He was very much pass first mode, even passed up on some semi open looks to get a wide open Aberdeen a couple of 3s.

I also wonder how much their full court pressure on him the entire game led to him being a little more tired in the 2nd half. For a team with no depth, that was a bold move and it worked fine for a half.

 

Leadership and Team Dynamics fascinate me. What I find intriguing about our team this year is this: Is it the benevolent confluence of talented individuals who ALL share a "team over individual" approach, allowing us to have 'anywhere-else-starters' willing to come off the bench and play as well or better than a starter they replace (on any given night)

OR

Is the above an outcome of specific leadership/guidance of the head coach / staff?

We see the end result; my question is from whence does this unique beast come? Good fortune/happenstance or deliberate product?

 

From your lips to God's ear.

I have said this before: My son's observation; In all likelihood, this team will break our collective hearts.

Accept that, and go enjoy watching them for whatever time we have left.

 

Deliberate.
Golden is a master evaluator.
He brings high character men.
Then he puts them in a positive winning environment.
One thing is certain..
It is no accidental good fortune.

 

I think the Terps starting five accounted for 68 of their 71 points. In contrast, our bench scored 29 of 87. Terps bench played 36 minutes. Gators got 65 minutes from the bench. 48 if you swap Haugh and Condons roles.

 

It’s deliberate. Guys like Kugel basically weed themselves out.

 

Arkansas...Texas Tech...Duke...Bama..opponents, strategy or coaching dont matter anymore. All that matters is my fat ass sits in the same recliner to deliver the championship. That recliner is undefeated this year.... Ive been considering going to see the final 4 this year when (not if) we make it but the logistics of getting that chair on a plane and then getting it down stairs to the first ten rows where the chair can throw its mojo directly on the opposing team is challenging so maybe its best to leave it in place and keep routine exactly the same.

 

Having worked last years SEC tournament, he was the catalyst to get us to the finals of the SEC tournament. Aggressive, not turning the ball over, hitting big shots. His play last night was key again. Hopefully this kind of play will continue. Go Denzel! Go Gators!

 

Nope, all 71 from the starters.

One great part was Angel Reese having such a sour look everyone they showed her. They spoke of her great rebounding, but I heard last year that she intentionally missed bunnies just so she could pad her rebounding numbers.

 

box score disagrees with you - Florida 87-71 Maryland (Mar 27, 2025) Box Score - ESPN

 

Hahahahhaha. Awesome.

i just meant his demeanor during his interview at the end. Wasn’t being existential.

 

Nah I was all turned around when I woke. Ha

 

Again, I just meant in the post game interview. He almost looked sad.

 

He’s only got 3 more games with his boys.

 

Well I hope he enjoys it!