Though Billy Donovan insists otherwise, critics say the soundtrack to Florida's 2002-03 season can be found in the easy-listening section. To many, the Gators seemed softer than Yanni's greatest hits, a perception fortified by the pummeling Michigan State inflicted on them in the NCAA Tournament's second round.
"We got down, and I think we didn't have that fight back in us," said sophomore Anthony Roberson, a former Michigan State recruit held scoreless in that game. "I looked in a lot of teammates' eyes. We wanted to win, but that fight wasn't there."
Donovan says the '02-03 Gators possessed an abundance of grit but simply lacked girth. As a result, Florida relied too heavily on its perimeter offense. "If we didn't shoot the ball particularly well, on most nights we were going to have a tough time winning against good teams," Donovan said.
This season, Donovan will complement his long-range bombers with some interior brawn in an effort to quell the skeptics who have watched Florida lose in the NCAA Tournament's opening weekend each of the past three seasons.
"We've got to build a team that can beat you a lot of different ways," Donovan said.
FRONTCOURT
Donovan failed to land a McDonald's All-American for only the second time in his six seasons at UF, but he supersized his frontcourt nonetheless.
Freshman Chris Richard, the reigning Florida Mr. Basketball, gives the Gators a physical presence capable of banging with the SEC's behemoths. Florida lacked such a commodity in 2003, when Matt Bonner often ventured beyond the 3-point line and sophomore David Lee spent all season out of position at center. "I think Chris is one of those guys that brings some size and strength and physicality to our frontcourt," Donovan said.
Richard's arrival allows Lee to move to his natural power forward spot, where he can better utilize his ball-handling skills and astounding vertical leap.
Enigmatic sophomore Christian Drejer will start at small forward, but could be pushed by 6-10 freshman Mohamed Abukar, a former Georgia signee. The 2002 Danish League Player of the Year, Drejer saw his rookie season derailed by complications from a left ankle sprain that led to the removal of an orange-sized abscess.
BACKCOURT
With Drejer and senior Brett Nelson (back, foot) battling injuries, Roberson and Matt Walsh were thrust into prominent roles and responded by averaging 12.3 and 12.2 points, respectively.
Now, Donovan's challenging the unanimous SEC All-Freshmen Team selections to be leaders in more than just scoring. "It's not that they've got to go out and score more," Donovan said. "They've got to be able to handle all the attention that's going to be focused on them night in and night out."
Roberson, who replaced Nelson as the starting two-guard last February, moves to the point, where he developed into a McDonald's All-American at Saginaw (Mich.) High. Walsh, who started every game as a freshman, will be the shooting guard.
"That's more of the role I came in wanting, and that's something I'm getting," said Roberson, the 2003 SEC Freshman of the Year. "I'm going to have the ball in my hand from day one, and that's all I can ask for."
Freshman Ryan Appleby, Washington's Mr. Basketball runner-up who owns every video produced about Pete Maravich, backs up Roberson. Freshman Lee Humphrey and sophomore Rashid Al-Kaleem will battle for time in the backcourt.
FINAL ANALYSIS
Though still not as versatile as the 2000 national runner-up team, Florida should possess more balance than it did last year. If the Gators can avoid another preseason injury outbreak, fans could see them fast-breaking and pressing more than they have in recent seasons.
The development of Richard and progress of Drejer will be crucial. If everyone stays healthy, Florida should challenge for the league title. If too much is asked of Roberson and Walsh, the Gators are staring at their fourth consecutive early exit in the NCAA Tournament.
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