Mr2Bits
Gator Fan
Right smack in the middle of the college football season, we start talking about Gator basketball as both Gator teams will officially start practice this week for the 2008/2009 season after holding a Media Day on Wednesday.
Gator women's coach Amanda Butler welcomes back several veteran players she will count on heavily to succeed like senior guard Sha Brooks, senior forward Marshae Dotson and senior center Aneika Henry. Butler though will have to bring Dotson along slowly after she had surgery to repair damage to her knee; she has been cleared for some light contact work.
Butler will also have a larger roster at her disposal, as transfer Susan Yenser is now available after sitting out a year. The Gators should also be bigger as 6'4" freshman Azania Stewart from England.
In all, this looks to be a deeper and more talented team for Butler from a year ago and it is certainly possible this group will be an NCAA Tournament team before all is said and done this season.
Gator men's coach Billy Donovan also has a lot more players at his disposal as practice begins. He now has a full set of 13 scholarship players which should make practices more competitive and the bench a viable option for those who do not do well. Last year with just nine scholarship players and a ton of youth, Donovan said that at times it was difficult to practice and to get better in practice because of the youth and lack of depth.
One player who will not play this year is 6'10" junior Vernon Macklin who must sit out this year because he transferred. However, Macklin can practice and Donovan believes Macklin can be a terrific help to the team by being able to bring experience at the post position that can allow his younger post players to learn and get better.
Florida will welcome five new freshmen to the team and the hope is they can help the Gators return to the NCAA Tournament this year after being in the NIT a year ago.
Gator women's coach Amanda Butler welcomes back several veteran players she will count on heavily to succeed like senior guard Sha Brooks, senior forward Marshae Dotson and senior center Aneika Henry. Butler though will have to bring Dotson along slowly after she had surgery to repair damage to her knee; she has been cleared for some light contact work.
Butler will also have a larger roster at her disposal, as transfer Susan Yenser is now available after sitting out a year. The Gators should also be bigger as 6'4" freshman Azania Stewart from England.
In all, this looks to be a deeper and more talented team for Butler from a year ago and it is certainly possible this group will be an NCAA Tournament team before all is said and done this season.
Gator men's coach Billy Donovan also has a lot more players at his disposal as practice begins. He now has a full set of 13 scholarship players which should make practices more competitive and the bench a viable option for those who do not do well. Last year with just nine scholarship players and a ton of youth, Donovan said that at times it was difficult to practice and to get better in practice because of the youth and lack of depth.
One player who will not play this year is 6'10" junior Vernon Macklin who must sit out this year because he transferred. However, Macklin can practice and Donovan believes Macklin can be a terrific help to the team by being able to bring experience at the post position that can allow his younger post players to learn and get better.
Florida will welcome five new freshmen to the team and the hope is they can help the Gators return to the NCAA Tournament this year after being in the NIT a year ago.
