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Gators Men's Basketball Preview

The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 9, 2008

AT A GLANCE

Last year: 24-12 (8-8 SEC)

Coach: Billy Donovan (285-115 in 12 seasons at Florida; 320-135 career in 14 years)

Assistant coaches: Larry Shyatt, Rob Lanier, Shaka Smart.

Home court: O'Connell Center (12,000)

Tickets: Season ticket renewal orders and Gator Weekender Package are still being accepted. Single game tickets are $20. Kentucky, Tennessee, Vanderbilt and Arkansas are sold out. Call (800) 344-2867.

Radio: WDAE, 620 AM

Web site: gatorzone.com.

No., Player	Pos.	Ht.	Wt.	Class	Hometown
33 Nick Calathes	G/F	6-6	194	So.	Casselberry*
Co-SEC Freshman of the Year in 2007-08, scoring 15.3 ppg.
15 Walter Hodge	G	6-0	170	Sr.	Guaynabo, Puerto Rico*
Ability to penetrate or step back and take three-point shot (34 of 68 last year).
21 Dan Werner	F	6-8	230	Jr.	Middleton, N.J.*
Runs floor well and has solid outside shot, but must supply inside strength.
24 Chandler Parsons	F	6-9	213	So.	Casselberry*
Fits well in up-tempo attack and will get most of his points in transition.
23 Alex Tyus	F	6-8	220	So.	St. Louis*
Expected to step into starting role after Jai Lucas's recent surprise transfer.
14 Adam Allen	F	6-8	225	So.	Milton
24 Allan Chaney	F	6-8	231	Fr.	Baltimore, Md.
40 Hudson Fricke	G	6-1	193	So.	Greenville, S.C.
30 Kenny Kadji	F/C	6-10	245	Fr.	Douala, Cameroon
4 Kyle McClanahan	G	6-1	185	Fr.	Maitland
3 Ray Shipman	G/F	6-5	212	Fr.	Miramar
1 Eloy Vargas	F/C	6-10	215	Fr.	Moca, Dominican Republic
11 Erving Walker	G	5-8	161	Fr.	Brooklyn, N.Y.

*-Projected starter

SCHEDULE

All Times P.M.

Date	Opponent	Time
November
14	Toledo	6
16	Bradley	2
20	Southern Utah	8
24	Syracuse #	7:30
25	Washington/Kansas#	TBA
30	Missouri-Kansas City $	1
December
2	Florida A&M	7
7	at Florida State	6
10	Florida Gulf Coast	8
20	UCF**	6:30
22	Georgia Southern	7
28	Winthrop***	6:30
30	Stetson	1
January
3	North Carolina St.	4
6	Longwood	7
10	Ole Miss*	6
14	at Auburn*	8
17	Arkansas*	2
21	at South Carolina*	7
25	at Vanderbilt*	1:30
28	Georgia*	8
31	at Tennessee*	9
February
3	South Carolina*	9
10	at Kentucky	9
14	at Georgia*	3:30
18	Alabama*	7
21	Vanderbilt*	3
24	at LSU*	9
March
1	Tennessee*	2
4	at Mississippi St.	8
7	Kentucky*	2
12-15	SEC Tournament##	TBD

# At Kansas City, Mo.

& At Orlando

**At Jacksonville

*** At Sunrise

## At Tampa

* Denotes SEC game

WHAT TO EXPECT?

Back-to-back NCAA championships in 2006 and 2007 elevated the Florida Gators to elite status and fueled images of extended national prominence.

Quite honestly, the anticipated carry-over and perpetuated success has yet to occur.

After losing their top six players off the national championship teams, the Gators responded so poorly last year that Coach Billy Donovan's frustration finally resulted in players being locked out of their plush facilities until earning the right to be there.

Attitudes and efforts appear to be greatly improved this year, although it's questionable if enough physical ability is on hand to greatly improve on last season's 24-12 record and 8-8 SEC finish that missed the NCAA Tournament field.

"The two areas we're trying to focus on with them are their development and their maturity," Donovan said. "We've had, I think, some very competitive, spirited workouts. Their attitude has been good. They've tried very hard. I've definitely seen a growth in the returning players, in particular the sophomore class right now."

The roster is young (seven sophomores and six freshmen), and not overly physical. There is solid skill and shooting ability, promising Donovan's go-go, 3-point shots-a-flyin' attack will provide excitement, but inside muscle for rebounding may be a bit thin.

Dan Werner, a 6-8, 230-pound junior forward (10.4), and 6-6, 194-pound sophomore guard Nick Calathes (15.9) are the top two returning scorers.

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