As Gators Get Healthier, So Does Their Record

Dorian Finney-Smith scored a career-high 25 points in Sunday's rout of Jacksonville. (Photo: Jim Burgess)

Article By SCOTT CARTER GatorZone.com Senior Writer

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Little by little, some of the pieces are starting to slide into place.
As they do, the wins are starting to add up.
The Gators made it three in a row on Sunday afternoon with a 79-34 walloping of Jacksonville in front of an announced crowd of 10,123 at the O'Connell Center.
It wasn't perfect.
“We didn’t come in with the right approach,'' Gators coach Billy Donovan said. "It was a little bit of fool’s gold to start the game."
The Gators never trailed and jumped to a fast 12-4 lead thanks to a 4-for-4 performance from 3-point land as Michael Frazier made a pair and Dorian Finney-Smith and Devin Robinson connected from long range.
You got the idea that this one could be over quickly.
However, instead of running away and hiding from Jacksonville before halftime, the Gators led only 18-17 with 9:21 left in the first half following a bucket by Jacksonville's Kori Babineaux.
No one knew it at the time, but with more than 29 minutes left to play, the Dolphins had already scored half their points in the game.
The Gators closed on a 16-7 run to end the first half and grab a 34-24 halftime lead.
And then as he is known to do -- especially this season and with this team -- Donovan challenged the Gators at halftime.
During their 3-4 start -- marking the first time in 16 years Florida dipped below .500 -- the Gators had trouble finishing strong, most notably watching their 18-point lead at Kansas on Dec. 5 disappear and turn into the young season's most disappointing loss.
There was no such problem Sunday.
"Coach challenged us to come out with more passion and more fire after halftime,'' said Frazier, who finished with a season-high 22 points and six 3-pointers.
How did the Gators respond? Well, how does 45-10 sound? That was the second-half score.
The Gators came out early for the second half to loosen up as they have of late. Someone should have told the Dolphins not to bother coming back out.
In a span of 5 minutes, 7 seconds, Florida's 10-point halftime lead was 20 (46-26) following Frazier's 3. The lead was 25 (51-26) after a 3-pointer from Eli Carter less than two minutes later.
The lead grew and grew and grew from there.
The Gators never let up and doubled the Dolphins at 62-31 when Finney-Smith connected for a 3-pointer with 10:44 left in the game. The 28-7 run to open the second half erased any doubt whether Donovan's halftime message got through.
"It feels good. It's a step in the right direction,'' center Jon Horford said. "Guys are really buying into the process."
The 45-point win is Florida's largest margin of victory this season and the dominant second-half performance was a good way to launch into a five-day break from games. The Gators don't play again until Saturday against Wake Forest in the Orange Bowl Classic in Sunrise, Fla.
They will use this week to finish finals and try to build on their modest three-game win streak by improving at practice.
"We certainly did a better job with our intensity level [after halftime],'' Donovan said. "I was really disappointed in the first half."

Much like he has been forced to all season due to various injuries, Donovan had to adjust the starting lineup due to point guard Kasey Hill's stomach bug. Hill (photo, left) did not participate in the pre-game shootaround and his status remained uncertain until less than two hours before tip-off.
Freshman Chris Chiozza started in Hill's place and according to Donovan, looked a little nervous at the start of the game. Chiozza did not score in 29 minutes but added four assists and four rebounds. Meanwhile, Hill played 21 minutes and chipped in two points and three assists.
Finney-Smith was the leader of Florida's pack on Sunday, scoring a career-high 25 points. He made 10 of 15 shots, including 5 of 7 from beyond the arc. He added six rebounds and played with the same aggressiveness he did a year ago when he was the SEC Sixth Man of the Year.
Finney-Smith missed two games and has been slowed since suffering a pair of hairline fractures in his left non-shooting hand.
He looked like his old self against the Dolphins, exactly one month after suffering the injury on Nov. 14 in the season opener against William & Mary.
"I can say it's getting better,'' said Finney-Smith, whose previous career high was 22 points. "I couldn't do things I usually could do [after the injury]."
Now, Finney-Smith said he is playing with a "free mind" and can "let it go."
"For him, every day that goes by it gets a little bit better,'' Donovan said. "He is at least moving to a point of being healthier each day.”
The same might be said of the Gators.
They are expected to have Duke transfer Alex Murphy available soon -- perhaps as early as Saturday's game against Wake Forest -- which provides Donovan with another weapon.
Little by little, the pieces are adding up. The wins should too with more performances like Sunday's.

Rookie Robinson Leads Balanced Box Score in 75-50 Win over Texas Southern

Article by Chris Harry GatorZone.com Senior Writer

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Billy Donovan has the pulse of his team and with it a firm grasp on the relativity of Florida getting its first two-game winning streak of the season against a pair of mid-major programs after looking so dismal at times offensively in losses to marquee opponents Miami, Georgetown, North Carolina and Kansas. 

In other words, he can take some pleasure -- and see some encouraging signs -- in the steps the Gators made this week; most lately in Friday night’s 75-50 defeat of Texas Southern at the O’Connell Center.

Freshman Devin Robinson, who a week ago woke up in Kansas with more airballs (9) than field goals (8) in his brief time playing at the collegiate level, scored a career-high 15 points on 5-for-7 shooting from the floor to lead five UF players into double-figures. Sophomore center Chris Walker had 12 points, including a sicko, rim-rattling alley-oop dunk in the final seconds, while junior forward Dorian Finney-Smith had 11 points and seven rebounds.

Just four days after hitting 63.8 percent in a 38-point blowout of Yale, the Gators (5-4) shot 54.4 percent against the Tigers (1-7) and tallied a season-best 19 assists.

“I understand the level of competition ... [but] you can only go off how we’re playing and what we’re doing. Our ball movement is very good and we’re taking shots that I like to see us take,” Donovan said. “Overall, I thought we’re trying to play offensively the right way. They’re getting better at it.”

Sophomore point guard Kasey Hill had another solid game running the team. He scored just six points, but dished seven assists and only turned the ball over twice. Senior center Jon Horford had 10 points and six rebounds, guard Michael Frazier pitched in 11, and combo guard Eli Carter, out the last two games and hampered by a left foot sprain since Nov. 20, returned to action and scored six points.

“We’re at our best when we pass the ball around,” Robinson said. “This is how we should play every night.”

The Gators will have a better chance to do so if Robinson continues to develop like he has in just the last week. After an abysmal start through his first six games (8-for-32 floor, 3-for-18 from 3), Robinson has gone 13-for-25 from the field and 5-for-9 from deep after Donovan and his staff cleaned up the youngster’s overall footwork and shooting mechanics.

“He’s getting better each game and playing a big role for us,” Finney-Smith said. “I think he’s handled adversity really well and I’m proud of him. I hope he keeps getting better.”

Ditto Walker, who also has shined brighter the last three games, combining to go 17 of 28.

Donovan credited some of the low moments both Robinson and Walker experienced in starting the season to their growth the last few games. 

"Both of those guys made the biggest jump after the first four or five games when they admitted it was harder than they ever anticipated it would be," Donovan said. "When young players get to that place, they become very coachable."

In turn, they're more likely to get better. And have more fun. 

Walker sure looked to be doing so when he took a wide alley-oop pass from walk-on Lexx Edwards, gathered it with his left hand and smashed it through the basket in the closing moments.

“That was for the people who stayed for the last 20 seconds or so,” Walker said.

The 19-plus minutes before that were for Donovan, who certainly will find plenty to pick at; like a near-stalemate on the glass (34-32) against an undersized opponent; a poor showing at the free-throw line (6 of 11, including 0-4 from Finney-Smith); or watching Texas Southern take -- and granted, miss -- a bunch open shots.

The Gators opened a 9-0 lead out of the box, moved it out to 15 with just over eight minutes to took it as high as 19.

In the second half, the Tigers cut the lead to as few as 13 when the tandem of guard Deverell Biggs (18 points) and forward Chris Thomas (15 points) were responsible for a 9-0 run. But a 3-ball by Carter and driving layup by Kasey Hill got the Gators back and gear and set up their teammates for closing time.

“We’re getting a better understanding of how to play,” Donovan said.

If it took some tough, growing experiences to get them to this place, the UF coaching staff will take it. 

Next Gators Coach Inherits a Team with Talent and Some Questions

Freshman quarterback Treon Harris is one of the key players UF's next head coach will inherit. (Photo: Tim Casey)

Article by SCOTT CARTER GatorZone.com Senior Writer 

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – As the search for Florida’s next head coach heats up, the players left in the wake of Will Muschamp’s departure after a 24-19 loss at Florida State on Saturday are wrapping up the fall semester and waiting to hear their bowl destination.

Interim head coach D.J. Durkin (photo, left) will direct the Gators through the yet-to-be-determined bowl.

As for the new coach, what kind of team will he inherit?

The Gators finished the regular season 6-5 and lost three games by five points or less. Florida’s two decisive losses were to SEC West champion Alabama (42-21) and SEC East champ Missouri (42-13).

Despite the close calls, Muschamp could not survive a 10-13 record over the last two seasons and numerous missed opportunities that cost Florida any chance at qualifying for Saturday’s SEC Championship Game in Atlanta for the first time since 2009. The Gators’ five-year absence in Atlanta matches the program’s longest streak (2001-05) since the SEC started playing a championship game in 1992.

For the Gators to earn a trip to Atlanta in 2015, a lot of improvements must be made, especially on offense. The Gators must also learn to close out games when they have an opportunity. Failure to do so in losses to LSU, South Carolina and Florida State ultimately turned what could have been a huge turnaround season into a disappointing one.

In his final address to Florida fans on his Sunday TV show, Muschamp described the kind of team he sees the next coach inheriting.

“They’ve got a good locker room and a bunch of talented players and a bunch of good kids,’’ Muschamp said. “We’ve cleaned up the place and it’s ready for somebody to go take the next step.”

Let’s take a look at each position group on the current roster to determine what factors likely need to come into play for the new coach to take that next step:

DEFENSE

DEFENSIVE LINE: This group is losing starting nose tackle Darious Cummings and junior defensive end Dante Fowler Jr., who announced recently on Twitter that he is going to enter the NFL Draft. While both will be missed, young interior linemen Joey Ivie and Caleb Brantley got significant reps this season and showed drastic improvement. A pair of redshirt sophomore defensive ends, Alex McCalister and Bryan Cox Jr., also came on strong, combining for 10 sacks. McCalister leads the team with six. A big question mark is whether junior Jonathan Bullard will return. Bullard played primarily defensive tackle this season and produced the best results of his career (46 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks). Still, Bullard could use more seasoning to improve his draft stock and develop as an interior lineman. A group of inexperienced underclassmen includes Jay-nard Bostwick, Taven Bryan, Khairi Clark, Thomas Holley, Jordan Sherit, Justus Reed and Gerald Willis, a talented player who saw time as a true freshman at defensive tackle but also encountered off-the-field issues, most recently being sent to the locker room Saturday for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty while on the sideline.

Junior defensive lineman Jon Bullard could be a key building block next season.

LINEBACKERS: Junior Antonio Morrison had his finest season and led the Gators with 98 tackles during the regular season. Morrison (6-1, 225) is undersized but plays a physical brand of football. If he decides to return for his senior season he gives the Gators a solid anchor at middle linebacker. This unit loses a pair of starters in seniors Michael Taylor and Neiron Ball. Still, there is depth with sophomores Jarrad Davis, Alex Anzalone, Jeremi Powell and Daniel McMillian set to return. In addition, redshirt freshman Matt Rolin has been hampered by injuries and remains a mystery. Besides Morrison, Davis is the most proven of this group. He had 23 tackles in nine games before suffering a season-ending knee injury that cost him the final two games of the regular season.

SECONDARY: When the new coach arrives he will be pleased with this collection of players, the most talented of any position group on the roster. Sophomore Vernon Hargreaves III and true freshmen Jalen Tabor and Quincy Wilson are strong cover corners. Safety Jabari Gorman is the only player lost from this group. However, sophomore Keanu Neal will be back as one of the SEC’s most physical defensive backs. Starters Marcus Mayeand Brian Poole also return from a defense that usually played nickel. Freshman Duke Dawson can play safety and corner and has a bright future. Redshirt freshmen Marcell Harris and Nick Washington should factor more into the big picture next season and freshman J.C. Jackson, considered perhaps the best corner of the group, returns after missing this season due to shoulder surgery. Finally, former prep quarterback Deiondre Porter was redshirted and adds another versatile athlete to the mix.

OFFENSE

QUARTERBACK: This position rarely found stability in Muschamp’s four seasons and 2014 was no different as redshirt junior Jeff Driskel opened the season as the starter but was replaced midseason by true freshman Treon Harris. Skyler Mornhinweg and true freshman Will Grier round out the depth chart with Grier considered a potential starter one day. While all four are eligible to return, Driskel could transfer or pursue a professional baseball career; Harris showed flashes of promise and remains a work in progress after going 3-2 as the starter; Mornhinweg is a depth guy; and Grier, a former Parade All-American, redshirted and has four years of eligibility remaining. Regardless, the next Florida coach must create more consistency at quarterback to win more games.

Sophomore running back Kelvin Taylor had a productive second half of season.

RUNNING BACK: The Gators have talent at halfback in sophomore Kelvin Taylor and freshman Brandon Powell. Taylor finished the regular season with 565 yards rushing, second on the team to junior Matt Jones (817 yards, six touchdowns). Jones has a year of eligibility remaining and told team officials this week he will make public his decision whether to return to school after the bowl game. If Jones departs as expected, Powell and redshirt freshman Adam Lane are in line for bigger roles. The Gators lose seniors Mack Brown and fullbacks Hunter Joyer and Gideon Ajagbe. None were factors in their only season in offensive coordinator Kurt Roper’ssystem but they depart as well-respected players in the locker room and by the coaching staff. Junior Mark Herndon suffered a season-ending knee injury on special teams early in the season and returns next season as a potential backup.

RECEIVERS: The most significant loss from this group is fifth-year senior Quinton Dunbar, who was benched at midseason but rebounded at the end to finish with 20 catches for 347 yards. Folk hero Michael McNeely also departs after a memorable finish to his career. Sophomore Demarcus Robinson fulfilled some of his promise with a team-high 47 catches for 774 yards and seven touchdowns. Robinson is the most dangerous receiver on the current roster and a key piece of the offense that Florida’s new coach can build around. Junior Latroy Pittmanshowed signs of improvement as a slot receiver and sophomores Ahmad Fulwood and Chris Thompson remain potential targets if they can continue to improve. True freshmen C.J. Worton and Ryan Sousa, redshirt freshman Alvin Bailey and junior Raphael Andrades are unproven but could have more opportunities under a new coach. Redshirt junior Valdez Showers saw time at slot receiver and caught a touchdown at Alabama. As for tight end, seniors Clay Burton and Tevin Westbrook exit. Burton was third on the team with 17 catches and Westbrook will be remembered for a pair of costly non-catches. DeAndre Goolsby, Moral Stephens and C’yontai Lewis are true freshmen who offer some options at the position moving forward. Meanwhile, fifth-year senior transfer Jake McGee, whose season ended with a broken leg in the first game, would have to be granted a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA to return.

Roderick Johnson, No. 55, improved under direction of Coach Mike Summers.

OFFENSIVE LINE: First-year offensive line coach Mike Summers deserves a lot of credit for turning this rag-tag group into a productive unit. However, the Gators’ offensive line will have a much different look next season with the loss of seniors Max Garcia, Trenton Brown and Chaz Green. In addition, redshirt junior Tyler Moore, who played tackle and guard in his two seasons, plans to enter the draft. That leaves junior left tackle D.J. Humphries, guard Trip Thurman, redshirt-freshman Roderick Johnson and true freshman David Sharpe among the group of eight who played regularly. Humphries is weighing his options to enter the draft. As for depth, that took a hit this week when junior-college transfer Drew Sarvary announced on Facebook he was retiring from football due to concussion symptoms. While Johnson and Sharpe emerged as building blocks of the future, for the O-line to succeed in 2015, recruiting will be key. In addition, redshirt freshmen Antonio Riles and Cameron Dillard, and true freshmen Andrew Mike, Travaris Dorsey and Kavaris Harkless need to develop into productive players. Another freshman from the 2014 signing class, Nolan Kelleher, redshirted after back surgery and the future of his career is uncertain.

SPECIAL TEAMS

KICKERS: The duo of senior Frankie Velez (12 of 14 field goals) and redshirt sophomore Austin Hardin (7 of 10) combined to make 79.1 percent of their attempts compared to 54.5 percent (12 of 22) in 2013. Hardin finished the season as the starter and made four field goals in Saturday’s loss at FSU – including a career-long 52-yarder – before missing his final two attempts that would have given the Gators the lead. Hardin returns next season and appears to have regained the confidence he lost by missing eight of 12 attempts as a freshman.

Kicker Austin Hardin missed his final two kicks at FSU but showed off leg earlier.

PUNTERS: Senior Kyle Christy departs after a comeback season in which he averaged 44.4 yards per kick on 56 attempts. After losing his job in 2013 to true freshman Johnny Townsend, Christy regained the job as a senior and got the job done. Townsend is expected to take over next season.

RETURNS: Sixth-year senior Andre Debose never developed into the next Percy Harvin at Florida, but Debose was a threat in the return game each time he touched the ball. Debose returned four kickoffs for touchdowns in his career and averaged 24.7 yards per return this season. As a punt returner, Debose averaged 14 yards and added a 62-yard return for a touchdown in his final season. Showers, Powell and Hargreaves are among those who have return experience with Debose gone.

SNAPPER/HOLDER: Last but not least, senior long snapper Drew Ferris and holder Kyle Crofoot will be difficult to replace. Why is that? Well, they rarely were mentioned in game reports, which means they did a good job and not candidates for “SportsCenter.”