Florida Gators
SEC (32-2, 18-0)
Say what you will about the strength of the SEC, but any way you look at it, Florida is one of the top teams heading into the NCAA Tournament. Suspensions and injuries were prevalent when the 2013-2014 campaign began, but Coach Billy Donovan pulled together his team and found a solid rotation.
Big Wins: 12/10 Kansas (67-61), 2/15 at Kentucky (69-59), 3/8 Kentucky (84-65)
Bad Losses: 11/12 at Wisconsin (53-59), 12/2 at Connecticut (64-65)
Coach: Billy Donovan (18 seasons at Florida)
Why They Can Surprise:
Coach Donovan’s four seniors have led the way. Scottie Wilbekin has always been a superb defender and a great passer, but this year he has turned into quite the consistent offensive threat too. Despite Wilbekin’s improved shooting, sophomore Michael Frazier has the best outside shot on the team. Casey Prather, Will Yeguete and Patric Young form the senior frontcourt. Prather has had a breakout senior season and leads the Gators with 14.2 points per game. Young can score in the paint and block a few shots, while Yeguete is a very tough rebounder.
Why They Can Disappoint:
What depth Florida does have is quite impressive. This would not be such a great rebounding team without wing Dorian Finney-Smith grabbing 6.8 per game. Freshman Kasey Hill is a superb point guard, but has failed to find to his shooting touch. The Florida offense can become stagnant at times when Frazier is having an off night shooting. When that does happen, the Gators defense can step up and players like Prather, Wilbekin and Young will earn enough points at the charity stripe to beat most teams.
Probable Starters:
Scottie Wilbekin, Senior, Guard, 13.0 ppg, 3.8 apg
Michael Frazier, Sophomore, Guard, 12.8 ppg, 1.1 apg
Casey Prather, Senior, Forward, 14.2 ppg, 5.0 rpg
Will Yeguete, Senior, Forward, 4.9 ppg, 5.3 rpg
Patric Young, Senior, Center, 11.1 ppg, 6.1 rpg
Key Roleplayers:
Dorian Finney-Smith, Sophomore, Forward, 8.9 ppg, 6.8 rpg
Kasey Hill, Freshman, Guard, 5.5 ppg, 3.2 apg
DeVon Walker, Sophomore, Guard, 2.7 ppg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 71.5 (169th in nation, 8th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 58.5 (5, 1)
Field-Goal Percentage: 46.3 (74, 1)
Field-Goal Defense: 40.1 (32, 4)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 6.7 (120, 3)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 35.9 (101, 3)
Free-Throw Percentage: 67.3 (255, 11)
Rebound Margin: 5.3 (25, 3)
Assists Per Game: 13.5 (111, 3)
Turnovers Per Game: 11.3 (75, 3)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
2013 NCAA Second Round win over Northwestern State
2013 NCAA Third Round win over Minnesota
2013 NCAA Regional Semifinal win over Florida Gulf Coast
2013 NCAA Regional Final loss to Michigan
2012 NCAA Second Round win over Virginia
2012 NCAA Third Round win over Norfolk State
2012 NCAA Regional Semifinal win over Marquette
2012 NCAA Regional Final loss to Louisville
2011 NCAA Round of 64 win over UC-Santa Barbara
2011 NCAA Round of 32 win over UCLA
2011 NCAA Regional Semifinal win over BYU
2011 NCAA Regional Final loss to Butler
2010 NCAA Round of 64 loss to BYU
2009 NIT First Round win over Jacksonville
2009 NIT Second Round win over Miami
2009 NIT Quarterfinal loss to Penn State
2008 NIT First Round win over San Diego State
2008 NIT Second Round win over Creighton
2008 NIT Quarterfinal win over Arizona State
2008 NIT Semifinal loss to Massachusetts
2007 NCAA Round of 64 win over Jackson State
2007 NCAA Round of 32 win over Purdue
2007 NCAA Regional Semifinal win over Butler
2007 NCAA Regional Final win over Oregon
2007 NCAA National Semifinal win over UCLA
2007 NCAA National Final win over Ohio State
*all team stats through 3/9
See All Men’s Basketball Postseason Capsules
