Billy D, Gators try to get back

Look who's back in town.

And back in college basketball's top 10.

Billy Donovan and his Florida Gators.

But, really, how back are they?

"I think we can get a lot better," Donovan said. "You're not looking at lottery picks, but we're becoming a team."

It's hard to believe, but Donovan is in his 14th season as Florida coach, give or take those 119 minutes he was with the Orlando Magic. Turns out he wasn't going anywhere then, or even when the Kentucky job came open again after last season. Billy Donovan coaches his 500th college basketball game tonight. And tonight at the Forum should be educational.

The surprising 10th-ranked Gators face surprise No. 7 Syracuse in the SEC-Big East Invitational. Syracuse was picked as low as ninth in the Big East in some preseason magazines. Florida was seen as near-basement material in the SEC East.

"You never know," Donovan said.

This is a big season for Billy D's program. There has been a dip. Those famous consecutive national championships were followed by consecutive NITs. Donovan lost more than his share of players to the NBA - and in recruiting. Why, his star player last season, Nick Calathes, turned pro - in Greece.

It's one thing to lose guys to Duke, but to Greece?

Now look.

Florida is 8-0. The Gators used tenacious defense to clobber Florida State. Then they stunned No. 2 Michigan State, Florida's first victory against a top-five team since April 2, 2007 - the national championship game against Ohio State. You might remember that one.

Billy and his boys need to get back in the game. Tennessee has master showman Bruce Pearl. Kentucky hired John Calipari, who has the Wildcats back on track, with arguably the best freshman in the nation in John Wall, with more to come, a lot more.

Where's Billy's thunder?

Maybe it's this start, with two quality wins, the kind that can get you to the dance hall.

"I don't know yet," Donovan said. "This team, the last two years, at this point in the season, was ranked, so we just can't tell. ... But I think the thing that people like about this team right now is that it's playing hard, playing together. There's a passion, an excitement."

Dan Werner, the only senior and Gator with NCAA Tournament experience, is playing well, with help inside from transfer Vernon Macklin. Sophomore Erving Walker, all 5-8 of him, has thus far steadied a thin backcourt. And freshman guard Kenny Boynton, the 12th McDonald's All-American Donovan has signed, is, as they say, a player.

But playing in another NIT isn't enough.

"Whenever you're at a place for a while, there's going to be ebb and flow, valleys, highs and lows," Donovan said. "But the driving force is always trying to get back where you were.

"... I think Syracuse will tell us a lot," Donovan said. "Syracuse, with wins over North Carolina and California, I don't think there's any doubt that this is a top-10 team."

There's doubt about Billy's bunch. Maybe tonight will change that, if Michigan State didn't.

Donovan insists he hasn't changed since the title teams.

"I don't think my passion has changed from four or five years ago. Once, we were talking about getting to the NCAA Tournament. Then we made the title game. Then it was why can't we get out of the first, second round? Then we won two titles. Now it's can we get back to the tournament?"

The Magic?

"They're doing great," Donovan said.

Kentucky?

"John will do great."

Donovan laughed.

"Forget about jobs. I'm just happy I've got one here."

He never left.

But is Florida back?

We'll talk in March.