2006 Florida Gators Basketball Preview

2006 Florida Gators Basketball Predictions

So, who’s number one? In many people’s minds and after last season’s NCAA Championship run, it looks like it’s the Florida Gators. They finished second in the SEC East (10- 6, 33- 6 overall), with Tennessee taking first place. Then they managed to turn on all the jets in the post-season.

Last season, point guard Taurean Green (13.3 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 4.7 APG, 36.6 FG%, 88.6 FT%) matured and realized how to make the Gator offense run relatively mistake-free. As a junior, he comes to the floor as one of the best point men in the SEC. Shooting guard Lee Humphrey (10.9 PPG, 1.9 RPG, 1.9 APG, 47.5 FG%, 60.0 FT%) knows how to score from the floor. Both Green and he are excellent three-point shooters.

The frontcourt is simply frightening (at least to other teams). First of all, the big men have speed. Second, they possess athleticism. Third, they are aggressive. Joakim Noah (14.2 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 2.1 APG, 62.7 FG%, 73.3 FT%) can defend and score and run opponents up and down the floor until they cry, “Uncle!” Fellow swingman Al Horford (11.3 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 2.0 APG, 60.8 FG%, 61.1 FT%) can rip up the lane and also offers fine rebounding and “D.” With the graduation of Adrian Moss, there’s room up front for one more. Freshman Dan Werner looks promising.

Coach Billy Donovan (226- 98 with Florida) enters his second decade as the Gators’ head coach. He finished his first by taking Florida to their first championship ever. As the tournament progressed, Florida’s confidence, strength and chemistry grew. Donovan and his team will have every college club, no matter what they are ranked, determined to upset their chances at repeating. Everyone wants to say that they beat the National Champs.

The main concern for a championship team as deep and talented as Florida is complacency. The other is focus. It’s tough to play your best when numerous NBA scouts are stalking you. It will be up to coach Donovan to keep the past, present and future in context for this group of young players.

If you want more info on the 2006 Florida Gators College basketball team check out the NCAA's official basketball team page of the program or check out some rival previews from Maddux Sports of schools like the Tennessee Volunteers and South Carolina Gamecocks.