They need to work on their defense.
No, not them. The other high-profile group of athletes at UF.
Remember basketball?
Perhaps this is God’s way of showing mercy to beleaguered UF fans. The Florida football team has a bye this week, just as the basketball team cranks get up.
For the next few minutes, you will read (almost) nothing about Billy Napier’s job prospects or Lane Kiffin reportedly registering to vote in Florida or the odds of Tennessee scoring 100 points on the Gators.
I am pleased to bring you sunshine and rainbows and Todd Golden.
“I like our team,” he said.
It was Tuesday afternoon, right before the Gators’ first full-blown practice. There were 41 days until the most anticipated basketball season since Billy Donovan roamed the Gainesville earth.
Golden’s first team at UF went 16-17. UF improved to 24-12 last season.
Simple math indicates this year’s team should go 32-3, win the SEC, make the Final Four and perhaps be treated to a ticker-tape parade down University Avenue after upsetting UConn in the championship game.
Okay, we’re getting a little ahead of ourselves. But there’s much buzz around basketball, and it’s not just because football is floundering.
“A lot of the same guys that were successful for us last year will be back on the floor this year,” Golden said. “I think that’s what our fans are most excited about. Kind of the idea of building upon that and seeing if we can make good progress this year or not.”
You get the feeling he’s confident that will happen. Then again, Napier was brimming with quiet confidence all summer. A lot of people drank the Kool Aid, and now they are in acute gastric distress.
(As an aside, how did a mass suicide become a socially acceptable metaphor? Asking for a Guyanese friend).
So let’s address that defense.
“That was our Achilles heel last year,” Golden said.
The Gators averaged sixth-highest Division I team last year, averaging 85.6 points a game. They allowed an average of 79.2 points, which was No. 327.
UF hopes it got some defensive help in the transfer portal, primarily in guard Alijah Martin and center Rueben Chinyelu
Golden also admits the coaching staff was fixated with offense last year. Now its focus is figuring out how to stop people.
“My hope — my hope — is that that will lead up to being a better defensive team,” he said. “I do think our defensive talent is better this year.”
One positive sign: Golden did not bring in Ron Roberts defensive coordinator. Another is who has returned.
The last time we saw Walter Clayton, he was scoring 16 points in the final four minutes of the NCAA Tournament game against Colorado. His 33 points weren’t enough to avoid a 102-100 loss, but the performance showed how potent Clayton can be.
He considered going pro but decided to return for his senior season. He’s moving to point guard, which should be interesting.
Then there’s Martin, who was the best player on FAU’s Final Four team two years ago. Will Richard flirted with the NBA but returned and will join Clayton and Martin on the perimeter.
Also back are last year’s freshmen surprise big men, Alex Condon and Thomas Haugh. There are other names you’re probably familiar with, like guard Denzell Aberdeen. Then there are some you’ll get to know, like forward Sam Alexis.
How good could the Gators be if they get their defensive act together?
“Great,” Clayton said,
Where have we heard that before?
Oh, never mind.
This is about the basketball team at a football school. Though the way things are trending, those roles might flip.
I half-jokingly asked Golden what it’s like coaching at a basketball school. He grinned and gave the proper response.
“Yeah, that’s not the case, as we know,” he said. “It’s an everything school. But yeah, I think I’m excited for this year.”
So there you have it, UF fans. A refreshing serving of basketball Kool-Aid.
In this case, I think it’s safe to take a sip.
David Whitley is The Gainesville Sun’s sports columnist. Contact him at dwhitley@gannett.com. Follow him on X @DavidEWhitley
