Donovan Golden Boy, or a big choker

[Buddah]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12043959/

He doesn't only talk about Billy, but his achievements and how they rank and are ahead at other coaches at his age... He also talks about other teams int he final four, thought it was a good article.

[Stucat]

Buddah wrote: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12043959/

He doesn't only talk about Billy, but his achievements and how they rank and are ahead at other coaches at his age... He also talks about other teams int he final four, thought it was a good article.

You have a good post and link Buddah. It is all up toBilly Donovan and his team now. Either they win the NCAA Championship or they don't. Either Billy becomes the"Coach hero" of 2006 or he doesn't. It is all up to him. I know BillyDonvan doesn't want to belike Roy Williams was at Kansas who was known as the "king of the chokers." It seems thatRoy wasalways the bridesmaid but never the bride in the NCAA final four. If Billy wins this hisstock as a coach will rise greatly butif he doesn't he will be labled as just another Roy Williams or Jim Boeheim. I know Billy needs to win it all for his sake. LSU's John Brady has already cemented his tenure at LSU and nobody in their right mind wants to see UCLA win it all. I couldn't take any more calls from my cousin Bill calling from Huntington Beach gloating about UCLA being in the Final Four and how UCLA is getting ready to bring home the 12th NCAA Championship.

Remember NOTHING SUCCEEDS LIKE SUCCESS!!:thumbup:wildcatface

[Lost Highway]

Billy Donovan is 40 years old. He had a team in the Final Game of the Final Four when he was 30 years old. He was a top recruiter for Pitino at Kentucky and became a head coach a few years after he arrived in Lexington as a graduate assistant. He has played in the Final Four, been an assistant coach in the Final Four and is now coaching his second Final Four. He earns about $1.7 million a year at a football school. I think the young man is successful.

One could argue his teams that bowed out early the past few seasons were not at full speed. Walsh had an injured foot and they had other injuries in some other tournaments. But to argue that in his defense is unnecessary because one does not need to argue anything. The press may say he choked but I say he was going through a learning experience. Many great coaches didn't do well in the tournament in their early years.

If his team loses the next game they play there will be those who say he choked. The same people may praise another coach with less achievement than Billy D but for some reason Billy will have choked. I don't buy that.

I prefer to look at the other side of the coin. Last year J. Noah was a bench warmer who average what, two points a game? He didn't play more than a couple of minutes in a game. He wasn't even in the top 100 when the season started now he may be a lottery pick. And Florida is not a one man team. Who helped the young man develop? Who changed the system to put more emphasis on defense and strong rebounding? Billy D that is who. Donovan has a long career ahead of him at Florida if he wants to stay here. I have heard through the local grapevine that if he does win the title Florida will make him the highest paid basketball coach in college today.

All of this at a Football First school. Today Spring football starts at UF. That is the headline today, not that Florida is in the Final Four. That is nice but football is football. Billy D is excelling at a football school with a fan base that he had to educate as to what basketball was all about. The people are learning and you can actually drive around town and see a few basketball goals nailed to a garage. That is something new down here.

Go LSU and Go Gators. We are the SEC. :thumbup

[Buddah]

Lost Highway wrote: All of this at a Football First school. Today Spring football starts at UF. That is the headline today, not that Florida is in the Final Four. That is nice but football is football. Billy D is excelling at a football school with a fan base that he had to educate as to what basketball was all about. The people are learning and you can actually drive around town and see a few basketball goals nailed to a garage. That is something new down here.

Go LSU and Go Gators. We are the SEC. :thumbup





I agree w ith this on their rivals site it talks about spring practice, on one o f the message boards i went to, it was mainly about football, ON THE BBALL board.... Fla will always be a football school

[Stucat]

Lost Highway wrote: Billy Donovan is 40 years old. He had a team in the Final Game of the Final Four when he was 30 years old. He was a top recruiter for Pitino at Kentucky and became a head coach a few years after he arrived in Lexington as a graduate assistant. He has played in the Final Four, been an assistant coach in the Final Four and is now coaching his second Final Four. He earns about $1.7 million a year at a football school. I think the young man is successful.

One could argue his teams that bowed out early the past few seasons were not at full speed. Walsh had an injured foot and they had other injuries in some other tournaments. But to argue that in his defense is unnecessary because one does not need to argue anything. The press may say he choked but I say he was going through a learning experience. Many great coaches didn't do well in the tournament in their early years.

If his team loses the next game they play there will be those who say he choked. The same people may praise another coach with less achievement than Billy D but for some reason Billy will have choked. I don't buy that.

I prefer to look at the other side of the coin. Last year J. Noah was a bench warmer who average what, two points a game? He didn't play more than a couple of minutes in a game. He wasn't even in the top 100 when the season started now he may be a lottery pick. And Florida is not a one man team. Who helped the young man develop? Who changed the system to put more emphasis on defense and strong rebounding? Billy D that is who. Donovan has a long career ahead of him at Florida if he wants to stay here. I have heard through the local grapevine that if he does win the title Florida will make him the highest paid basketball coach in college today.

All of this at a Football First school. Today Spring football starts at UF. That is the headline today, not that Florida is in the Final Four. That is nice but football is football. Billy D is excelling at a football school with a fan base that he had to educate as to what basketball was all about. The people are learning and you can actually drive around town and see a few basketball goals nailed to a garage. That is something new down here.

Go LSU and Go Gators.


Lost Highway please don't misunderstand what I was trying to say. I want Billy Donovan to have a long and successful career. I am not the least bit jealous of Billy Donovan or any SEC coach. I am really happy for both Billy Donovanand John Brady.

I just think it would add to his resume if he had an NCAA Championship under his belt. It would also add to Florida's resume and stature as apowerful basketball team to have an NCAA Championship under their belt. I certainly meant no harm and thought that I was paying Donovan a compliment as well as the Florida Gators but I guess I need to spell it out in black and white.:question:shrug:

[Lost Highway]

Buddah wrote: Lost Highway wrote: All of this at a Football First school. Today Spring football starts at UF. That is the headline today, not that Florida is in the Final Four. That is nice but football is football. Billy D is excelling at a football school with a fan base that he had to educate as to what basketball was all about. The people are learning and you can actually drive around town and see a few basketball goals nailed to a garage. That is something new down here.

Go LSU and Go Gators. We are the SEC. :thumbup





I agree w ith this on their rivals site it talks about spring practice, on one o f the message boards i went to, it was mainly about football, ON THE BBALL board.... Fla will always be a football school

You're so correct. I think thisshows just how great a coach Billy D is and how great a jobBilly D has been able to do around here. This is football country FIRST AND FOREMOST. If the Gators win the NCAA it will still be a football school.

But the more Billy wins, and he will continue to win, the more the fans will buy into basketball. It is coming. But the spotlight remains on Urban and his gang. He better win a National Championship soon and very soon. :D

[Lost Highway]

Stucat wrote:
Lost Highway please don't misunderstand what I was trying to say. I want Billy Donovan to have a long and successful career. I am not the least bit jealous of Billy Donovan or any SEC coach. I am really happy for both Billy Donovanand John Brady.

I just think it would add to his resume if he had an NCAA Championship under his belt. It would also add to Florida's resume and stature as apowerful basketball team to have an NCAA Championship under their belt. I certainly meant no harm and thought that I was paying Donovan a compliment as well as the Florida Gators but I guess I need to spell it out in black and white.:question:shrug:

Stucat, thank you for these comments and please understand I agree with and enjoyed reading your first post. I completely agreed with it. My comments were not in response to what you said, it was just rambling on my part.

You are so right that a title makes all of the difference in the world and it should. But Billy D may not win it this year. I remember Dean Smith goingto so many Final Fours and I was ready to send the trophy back to Chapel Hill without playing the games, but for some reason he kept losing and losing the big one. He finally got it against Georgetown on a stupid pass by the Hoyas guard.

You did pay Donovan a compliment. By the way speaking of compliments, I have never heard Donovan say an unkind word about UK or Tubby Smith. Not one. He has respect for the school and the University of Kentucky program. I have heard him saysomany times.

I am pulling hard for LSU to make it to the Final Game and if they face the Gators I will wish the best team takes it home. We can't lose with an all SEC final. If Kentucky was in the Finals, I would be pulling my heart out for them to win number 8.

[Stucat]

Lost Highway wrote: Stucat wrote:
Lost Highway please don't misunderstand what I was trying to say. I want Billy Donovan to have a long and successful career. I am not the least bit jealous of Billy Donovan or any SEC coach. I am really happy for both Billy Donovanand John Brady.

I just think it would add to his resume if he had an NCAA Championship under his belt. It would also add to Florida's resume and stature as apowerful basketball team to have an NCAA Championship under their belt. I certainly meant no harm and thought that I was paying Donovan a compliment as well as the Florida Gators but I guess I need to spell it out in black and white.:question:shrug:

Stucat, thank you for these comments and please understand I agree with and enjoyed reading your first post. I completely agreed with it. My comments were not in response to what you said, it was just rambling on my part.

You are so right that a title makes all of the difference in the world and it should. But Billy D may not win it this year. I remember Dean Smith goingto so many Final Fours and I was ready to send the trophy back to Chapel Hill without playing the games, but for some reason he kept losing and losing the big one. He finally got it against Georgetown on a stupid pass by the Hoyas guard.

You did pay Donovan a compliment. By the way speaking of compliments, I have never heard Donovan say an unkind word about UK or Tubby Smith. Not one. He has respect for the school and the University of Kentucky program. I have heard him saysomany times.

I am pulling hard for LSU to make it to the Final Game and if they face the Gators I will wish the best team takes it home. We can't lose with an all SEC final. If Kentucky was in the Finals, I would be pulling my heart out for them to win number 8.

Thanks Lost Highway for the great post and I agree with you completely. I am hoping for an all SEC final game. The only team that I really want to see lose in a big way is UCLA and that is because I have a lot cousins who live in Orange Co. California and they don'thesitate to call and gloat to me that UCLA is the final four and that Kentucky lost the second game. My cousin Bill loves togloat that UCLA will be bringinghome the 12th National Championshipthis year. I think that an old Kentucky slogan applies here toUCLA and its fans that istheyhad better not "count their chickens until they hatch."I would love to see LSU clobber UCLA and I want Florida to beat George Mason University in a big way to boot.:thumbup:wildcatface

[Aike]

Has he aged ten years in the last six? I thought the fountain of youth was in Florida.

Lost Highway wrote: Billy Donovan is 40 years old. He had a team in the Final Game of the Final Four when he was 30 years old.

[Lost Highway]

Aike wrote: Has he aged ten years in the last six? I thought the fountain of youth was in Florida.




:) lol You're right it has only been 6 six years between FF's. I guess I should go back and edit the age but I'll let it slide.

I expect Billy will add to that over the next few seasons. Word out of Gainesville yesterday was Horford is definitely coming back as is Noah, Green and Brewer. Should be a solid team for a couple of years.

[Buddah]

Good I hope they all come back, i hope, but don't expect, LSU to return in tact... I want UK to shape up, not have a easy year against a down conference, we have had that before, and it gives everyone false hope.. I want us to beat the best, if we are ever going to be the best again.

[Wildcat Larry]

Buddah wrote: Good I hope they all come back, i hope, but don't expect, LSU to return in tact... I want UK to shape up, not have a easy year against a down conference, we have had that before, and it gives everyone false hope.. I want us to beat the best, if we are ever going to be the best again.I have to go check my pulse ..... I pretty much agree with this. :shock:;):lol:

[Buddah]

Wildcat Larry wrote: Buddah wrote: Good I hope they all come back, i hope, but don't expect, LSU to return in tact... I want UK to shape up, not have a easy year against a down conference, we have had that before, and it gives everyone false hope.. I want us to beat the best, if we are ever going to be the best again.I have to go check my pulse ..... I pretty much agree with this. :shock:;):lol:


I have some kool aid, a robe and a spot on the farm for you, if y ou would be interested in listening and agreeing with me more often.

[Wildcat Larry]

Buddah wrote: Wildcat Larry wrote: Buddah wrote: Good I hope they all come back, i hope, but don't expect, LSU to return in tact... I want UK to shape up, not have a easy year against a down conference, we have had that before, and it gives everyone false hope.. I want us to beat the best, if we are ever going to be the best again.I have to go check my pulse ..... I pretty much agree with this. :shock:;):lol: I have some kool aid, a robe and a spot on the farm for you, if y ou would be interested in listening and agreeing with me more often.

Good one! :ggrin:

http://www.tshizzle.com/tshirts/Funny/koolaid-large.jpg

[Will Lavender]

Whoever believes Joakim Noah is coming back has a rude awakening coming. That kid is g-o-n-e. You don't pass up an opportunity to be drafted in the top 5.

[Wildcat Larry]

Will, do you think Thomas is a goner for LSU, too?:?

[Will Lavender]

Wildcat Larry wrote: Will, do you think Thomas is a goner for LSU, too?:?
Yes. He and Noah are orobably both top 10.

[Buddah]

Usually i would think that Will, but like peyton manning, Noah doesn't have to worry about $$$ for his family, his father was a tennis player and his mother was a model, and he said he liked college.. usually i would say they are gone, and if they say they aren't, they are just spinning. But for him, i would say it is true, it is possible or more possible than usual that he returns.

[Aike]

Thomas is looking like the number one pick after his showdown with Aldridge last week. If he shows up big this weekend then you may be able to book it.

Will Lavender wrote: Wildcat Larry wrote: Will, do you think Thomas is a goner for LSU, too?:?
Yes. He and Noah are orobably both top 10.

[Lost Highway]

Will Lavender wrote: Whoever believes Joakim Noah is coming back has a rude awakening coming. That kid is g-o-n-e. You don't pass up an opportunity to be drafted in the top 5.

I certainly agree the young man's stock has gone out of sight and he very well could be (probably would be) Top 5. However, he does like college and is having a very good time in Gainesville. He is the son of millionaires and has always experienced the good life and that will continue. In fact being a college student at UF may be as close to poverty as he will experience in his life because his local apartment isn't 5th Ave. He has been around pros and been around the John Thompson's of the world. He really likes Donovan and loves being a Gator. Listen to an interview sometime and you will see that coming through. I hope the young man stays aroundnext yearbecause I enjoy quality basketball and the colllege game. The longer the great players stick around the better the game is for all to enjoy.

I don't think you fall into this group, but some fans rejoice when an opponent's player goes pro early. Not because they like the player but because they think it will make the other teamweaker. Kentucky is better than that. Kentucky can get back to the top with their own quality players, not by wishing away opposing stars.

So Noah could go and then again, maybe the word coming out of Gainesville is true and he will stay. No matter what he does I like his future.

[Buddah]

I agree lost highway , we will just have to see. I pray that he comes back, cause it does us no good to beat up on a down conference and then bow out again in the round 32 to a UAB type team.

[Rockober]

Its funny that many claimed the SEC was a weak beat down conference this year.

[BrassowFan]

I don't view Florida as the runaway front-runner in this Final Four therefore unless they get blown out or just fail to play hard, I wouldn't consider a loss to be "choking".

I know that they're considered the long shot but I don't think that people can look past George Mason. I've been extremely impressed with their team throughout the tournament and think that they have as good of a shot as any of the other 3.

As for Billy, a lot of people don't care for the guy because he's Pitinoesque in more ways than his style of play but the fact is that he's a good coach and has realized some incredible accomplishments. Florida is lucky to have him.

[Stucat]

BrassowFan wrote: I don't view Florida as the runaway front-runner in this Final Four therefore unless they get blown out or just fail to play hard, I wouldn't consider a loss to be "choking".

I know that they're considered the long shot but I don't think that people can look past George Mason. I've been extremely impressed with their team throughout the tournament and think that they have as good of a shot as any of the other 3.

As for Billy, a lot of people don't care for the guy because he's Pitinoesque in more ways than his style of play but the fact is that he's a good coach and has realized some incredible accomplishments. Florida is lucky to have him.

I certainly don't want UCLA to win the tournament not only because it will make win number 12 for the "Mighty Bruins"but for those of us who lived through hey day of UCLA basketball under John WoodenI want you to know it got boring really fast having UCLA as the National Champions year after boring year. Even the UCLA fans seemed to get bored with another NCAA trophy year after year. Wooden won ten National trophies in the late 1960's and 1970's and my uncle who is dead now bragged all of the time about Wooden showing up Adolph Rupp and then Joe B. Hall and the Kentucky Wildcats. His son has already picked up on it and called me last sunday from his home in Huntington Beach, California saying that he just had to gloat that Kentucky went home after the second round but UCLA was in the final four. If UCLA wins again it will just shove us further in the whole with 12 National Championships for UCLA and 7 for UK.

[BrassowFan]

Stucat wrote: I certainly don't want UCLA to win the tournament not only because it will make win number 12 for the "Mighty Bruins"but for those of us who lived through hey day of UCLA basketball under John WoodenI want you to know it got boring really fast having UCLA as the National Champions year after boring year. Even the UCLA fans seemed to get bored with another NCAA trophy year after year. Wooden won ten National trophies in the late 1960's and 1970's and my uncle who is dead now bragged all of the time about Wooden showing up Adolph Rupp and then Joe B. Hall and the Kentucky Wildcats. His son has already picked up on it and called me last sunday from his home in Huntington Beach, California saying that he just had to gloat that Kentucky went home after the second round but UCLA was in the final four. If UCLA wins again it will just shove us further in the whole with 12 National Championships for UCLA and 7 for UK.

I don't disagree. Here's my pecking order...

George Mason, LSU, Florida..... then a big drop to UCLA

[Buddah]

BrassowFan wrote:
I don't view Florida as the runaway front-runner in this Final Four therefore unless they get blown out or just fail to play hard, I wouldn't consider a loss to be "choking".

I know that they're considered the long shot but I don't think that people can look past George Mason.Â* I've been extremely impressed with their team throughout the tournament and think that they have as good of a shot as any of the other 3.

As for Billy, a lot of people don't care for the guy because he's Pitinoesque in more ways than his style of play but the fact is that he's a good coach and has realized some incredible accomplishments.Â* Florida is lucky to have him.


I agree, I don't think people can look past George Mason, they are for real. You just don't beat Uconn, UNC, plus Mich State and it be a fluke, they are for real.

[ukbob]

Donovan is not the Golden Boy nor is he a choker, IMO. He is an evolving coach who is learning how to win and what it takes to win in the NCAAs. He had one good year, then 5 real bad NCAA years to do that. He changed his style somewhat, got better by subtraction and you see the difference.

He is 40. Good coach...getting better.

[Buddah]

ukbob wrote:
Donovan is not the Golden Boy nor is he a choker, IMO. He is an evolving coach who is learning how to win and what it takes to win in the NCAAs. He had one good year, then 5 real bad NCAA years to do that. He changed his style somewhat, got better by subtraction and you see the difference.

He is 40. Good coach...getting better.


I agree he is still learning and evolving, but it seems with everything he has lost from last year and other years, he seems to be coming into his own.. Fla plays with great chemistry and play well together.