travisduncan
Gator Fan
Billy Donovan never wants his team to think they are better than they really are in the regular season-because having that attitude in the NCAA Tournament can result in a quick exit.
In fact, Billy D will tell you that he doesn't mind a team losing in the regular season to prepare them for the postseason. He said as much again Saturday night.
"I think these are the experiences where you get kind of hardened a little bit and our team needs to be hardened a little bit," Donovan said according to the Associated Press after losing to the Tennessee Vols 75-70.
"We need to be more battle-tested, battle-weary, so to speak."
The Gators sitting at 19-6 seem to be all but guaranteed a spot in the Big Dance, but there is some definite uncertainty about this squad and its ability to focus when it matters most. Some have said the younger players on the team aren't taking things as serious as they could or should to compete at the highest levels of college basketball.
Saturday's loss was the second to the Vols this season. The Gators never really were in the game. It is also the Gators second straight loss following a 20-point blowout to the Wildcats on Tuesday and the first L at the O-Dome in 19 games. The Gators have just two home games remaining in the regular season Feb. 21st vs Auburn and March 4th against Kentucky to close out the season.
It's easy to say this is a "speedbump" but Donovan isn't taking that approach.
After the game he wrote "NIT" on the white board in the locker room as reported by the Gators website.
Bradley Beal led the Gators with 16 points and eight rebounds. He told the Associated Press after the game, "Where we're going we might be in the NIT if we don't just turn around right now. If that didn't fit into our minds and really stick in our minds, then I don't know what's going to happen. We really have to turn around, and I think we'll do that."
To the Gators credit they were playing short handed with guard Mike Rosario and forwards Will Yeguete and Cody Larson all missed the game because of various ailments.
Donovan concluded after the game, "I don't know if it's a crossroads as much as it is a, `Who are we and who do we want to be?' kind of thing."
Up next for the Gators are the Alabama Crimson Tide on Tuesday at 7 p.m. ET in Tuscaloosa.
In fact, Billy D will tell you that he doesn't mind a team losing in the regular season to prepare them for the postseason. He said as much again Saturday night.
"I think these are the experiences where you get kind of hardened a little bit and our team needs to be hardened a little bit," Donovan said according to the Associated Press after losing to the Tennessee Vols 75-70.
"We need to be more battle-tested, battle-weary, so to speak."
The Gators sitting at 19-6 seem to be all but guaranteed a spot in the Big Dance, but there is some definite uncertainty about this squad and its ability to focus when it matters most. Some have said the younger players on the team aren't taking things as serious as they could or should to compete at the highest levels of college basketball.
Saturday's loss was the second to the Vols this season. The Gators never really were in the game. It is also the Gators second straight loss following a 20-point blowout to the Wildcats on Tuesday and the first L at the O-Dome in 19 games. The Gators have just two home games remaining in the regular season Feb. 21st vs Auburn and March 4th against Kentucky to close out the season.
It's easy to say this is a "speedbump" but Donovan isn't taking that approach.
After the game he wrote "NIT" on the white board in the locker room as reported by the Gators website.
Bradley Beal led the Gators with 16 points and eight rebounds. He told the Associated Press after the game, "Where we're going we might be in the NIT if we don't just turn around right now. If that didn't fit into our minds and really stick in our minds, then I don't know what's going to happen. We really have to turn around, and I think we'll do that."
To the Gators credit they were playing short handed with guard Mike Rosario and forwards Will Yeguete and Cody Larson all missed the game because of various ailments.
Donovan concluded after the game, "I don't know if it's a crossroads as much as it is a, `Who are we and who do we want to be?' kind of thing."
Up next for the Gators are the Alabama Crimson Tide on Tuesday at 7 p.m. ET in Tuscaloosa.
