Congrats, Florida.

[LiveBlue]

As much as I hate to say it, you have to give credit where credit is due. Florida had a hell of a basketball team. In fact, this certain group of players is one of the only teams I've seen to rival the '96 Cats. So, congratulations Florida. Enjoy your time on top because Kentucky is coming back to take their rightful place.

Now come to Lexington, Billy.

[matt colvin]

Congratulations UF

[Will Lavender]

One of the finest college basketball teams of the last 25 years. An absolute machine.

Congratulations to the Gators.

[RP_McMurphy]

Not hiring Billy D. in 97 when he could have been had will go down as one of the worst decisions ever at Kentucky. I was against Tubby then and 10 years later CM's decision looks even worse. In 97 Billy D. was ready and I don't want to hear any of that young talk.

[JOHN BLUEBLOOD]

I agree- great job.

[Will Lavender]

RP_McMurphy wrote: Not hiring Billy D. in 97 when he could have been had will go down as one of the worst decisions ever at Kentucky. I was against Tubby then and 10 years later CM's decision looks even worse. In 97 Billy D. was ready and I don't want to hear any of that young talk.
I'm not sure Donovan was truly ready until 2005.

The adjustment to his recruiting methodology and particularly his focus on defense (there was a time when Donovan had to play a 2-3 zone 40 minutes a game because he didn't have enough athletes) revolutionized his coaching ability.

Who knows what would have happened if Donovan would have come to UK in '97. But it's really undeniable that Tubby Smith was the better coach until Donovan made those adjustments.

Now he's the best in the game.

[RP_McMurphy]

Will not ready? I guess that wasn't him in the 2000 championship game.

[Terry L. Wildcat]

:cool:Congratulations Gators...VERY IMPRESSIVE!!!

[Will Lavender]

RP_McMurphy wrote: Will not ready? I guess that wasn't him in the 2000 championship game.
That was also him on the hotseat in Gainesville circa 2004.

But: I'm not going to argue that he was "not ready." I don't know for sure. Donovan never was and never will be a slouch. The man can coach. Heck, with the parity today anybody could be on the hotseat. Most coaches are at some point.

It's really tough to discuss this because we're getting into the "what if" territory. I don't like going there. I just know that looking at it RIGHT NOW he's clearly the best choice on the board. In 11 years we might look back and somebody might say, "I thought we should have hired Billy Gillespie."

Who knows.

[colonelcatfan]

Congratulations Gators. Very, very impressive. And to Billy D, please come back, we really, really want you here. But, if you choose to stay and continue what you've created, I really do understand, and will respect your decision (just please don't recruit anyone as ugly and annoying as Noah again!!)

[JOHN BLUEBLOOD]

One complaint about UF- that was the most "classless" celebration I can remember- Noah is a hoodwink!

[CatFanInTheBathtub]

RP, take a step back. Billy would have been fired from our program for the years he had between 00 and 05. the championship in 06 was special, this one was a product of a bunch of rich kids coming back. An absolutely GREAT team, yes, but an anomaly in the college bb world.

[ukspicoli]

It is truly impressive to do what the Gators have done and hats off to them. My wife is a Gator and she's been very nice to me about this...so i have to be nice too. But I did tell her that I could honestly be even happier for the Gators if Noah weren't on the team. That sounds silly but it's how I feel. The rest of the team is total class...

My favorite kid on the team is Brewer. He's the best athlete out there...hands down and I am so glad he got the M.O.P. By the way, what's up with that MOP thing?

Hats off to Oden too. His upside is bigger than Durant's!

Enjoy the evening for you know not how the next few days will be. Heck you guys might even win the College World Series and repeat in football. Amazing! Good run!

[CatFaninChattanooga]

Will Lavender wrote: One of the finest college basketball teams of the last 25 years. An absolute machine.

Congratulations to the Gators.

As much as I hate them, I am impressed. I liked the way they put the money to the side to do what they just did for the 2nd time. Congrats

[Littlemeyer]

I've not been the biggest Gators supporter on this board recently. But last night, I found a small part of me (left knee, maybe?) was silently pulling for them to beat Ohio State. The reason? It's easy, and fun, to appreciate excellence. And damn are they ever excellent.

Congratulations, Gators.

Now go back to mediocrity, and don't come out 'till we say so. :ggrin:

[gerntz]

I can't imagine a team with better parts fitting than FL is. They're beautiful to watch. 3-4 big guys to rotate, each with varying talents. All-around Brewer - shooting, driving, D, & deadly Humphrey. And then there's Green left. He's merely dang good.

[uk_student06]

CatFaninChattanooga wrote: Will Lavender wrote: One of the finest college basketball teams of the last 25 years. An absolute machine.

Congratulations to the Gators.

As much as I hate them, I am impressed. I liked the way they put the money to the side to do what they just did for the 2nd time. CongratsAnd that's the things that scares me...

Money isn't an issue for them because most are well off, except brewer if I'm not mistaken.

Who's to say they won't come back and try to 3-Peat?

They have Calathes coming in and he's shown he can stroke the 3.

Viable and capable replacment for graduating senior Humphrey...

And if the Jr's stay..how hard would it be for them to convince Donovan to stay?

Probably not very hard.

Noah, Horford, Brewer, Green: "Coach, let's try to 3-Peat"
Donovan: "OK"

[RP_McMurphy]

If Tubby wasn't fired then no coach would have been fired.

CatFanInTheBathtub wrote:
RP, take a step back. Billy would have been fired from our program for the years he had between 00 and 05. the championship in 06 was special, this one was a product of a bunch of rich kids coming back. An absolutely GREAT team, yes, but an anomaly in the college bb world.