Alligator Army

3:30 Is Your Official Time Of Championship Mode

2009-07-07T22:12:54Z

The announcement that CBS will show the Tennessee-Florida game at 3:30 is not surprising. This is a Championship Mode game and CBS wanted it in their top spot. But, the sweltering heat plus the blood boiling hatred (if you are one of those bizarre people who do not already hate Tennessee), will bring this game to a new level. Gator fans are anticipating a 70-0 beat down, with Tim Tebow striding across Lake Alice on his way to the Gator Walk. Tennessee fans are anticipating unleashing their boy Lane on the unsuspecting SEC, and ending the Gators' title chances. A pedestrian 37-24 win for Florida almost seems impossible. It's all or nothing.

I cannot think of another Tennessee game I have been anticipating like this. FSU games? Yes, but not Tennessee. Not even the season-ender in 2001, moved due to the 9/11 attacks. (That was my senior year of high school, and I toned down my Gator-fandom in case they rejected me.) I can't even imagine how intense it will be, and I'm someone who yells when Florida is up by four scores.

Another Championship Mode game filled with hate will be Georgia, also a 3:30 start time on Halloween. (Florida-Georgia for Halloween? My God, Jacksonville will burn.) Maybe this is why UF President Bernie Machen does not want as many alcohol vendors in Jax, as the weekend has turned into a way to drop UF's enrollment. But this is like keeping Gasparilla attendees from peeing on rich people's homes; it's not going to happen. (Oh, they're trying to do that? Good luck Hyde Park.) My one Jax experience involved fitting 8 people into a 2-door Chevy Cavalier, sleeping in an abandoned lot, having stray dogs stalk our tent, then evacuating Jax with my brother like the British at Dunkirk.

If Bernie wanted to save kids from the evils of alcohol, he'd get hotels to cut their rates (so you sleep off your buzz in a bed, not a parking garage ledge), make the Jax Police actually enforce laws (Jax acts like this is Mardi Gras), and make areas accessable only to ticket holders or alumni/students (again, locals acting like it's Mardi Gras and starting problems). Machen and UGA's prez have Jacksonville bent over backwards to keep the game in The Bold New City of The South. This is their chance to keep the Florida-Georgia game from being a weekend you forget because you were unconcious from drinking or getting your ass kicked by some guys from Baldwin.

Of course, the other problem with alcohol is that, if not in moderation, it can hurt your ability to be in Championship Mode. That's why UF now has a texting system to alert stadium security of any drunk assholes, douchy frat boys, or people not willing to be in Championship Mode. At least, that's what I'd use it for.

The Real Decision Time For Calathes: Greece or Minnesota?

2009-06-26T04:05:29Z

Nick Calathes was selected 45th by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the NBA Draft. But if Calathes wants to purify himself in the waters of Lake Minnetonka, instead of the Aegean Sea, the T-Wolves will have to hand over $500,000 for a buyout in addition to probably matching the $2 million deal in Greece.

Calathes also has himself in a clusterf, if he is not committed to one or the other. The Greek team signed a former Indiana Pacer to play the point, possibly sticking Calathes on the bench. The T-Wolves drafted three point guards before they even got to Calathes. (This is like the Detroit Lions with wide receivers.) The T-Wolves will hold Calathes rights, so it does not make sense for Calathes to leave for the NBA now. In Greece, he is a backup at worst. In Minnesota, he's behind draft picks Ricky Rubio, Jonny Flynn, Ty Lawson and veteran Sebastian Telfair. Unless he wants precious summer league minutes, he will stay in Greece.

Random Anger: ESPY Nominations

2009-06-25T19:51:41Z

The ESPYs are just a chance for ESPN to give (insert sexual activity here) to the athletes they try to cover. ESPN tries to wrap every athlete in a warm blanket and keep away from the prying eyes of objective journalists. For every "Outside The Lines" segment, there is an embarrassing attempt to cozy up to an athlete ("Kobe Doin' Work"). Despite being The Worldwide Leader, ESPN has to do this, lest they suffer the same fate as CNN when Fox News became the GOP propaganda arm and MSNBC ran to the left. ESPN is always looking over their shoulder for the next competitor. If they keep close with athletes and teams, it is impossible for a rival to gain a foothold against them. (Look at the struggles of Versus.) There are no Democrats and Republicans in sports. But there are Players and Owners, and ESPN is always trying to make both happy.

Which brings us back to the ESPYs. Let's go through this one-by-one;

1. The Best Male Athlete includes Kobe, LeBron, Michael Phelps and Jimmie Johnson. What? I like NASCAR as much as the next guy (because I bump draft on I-75 like Tony Stewart), but Johnson ahead of Tim Tebow, Usain Bolt, or any NFL player? Really? This is clearly an attempt by ESPN to appease their partners in NASCAR.

2. Bolt is also left out of the Best Championship Performance, which includes Kobe, Cole Hamels (which is a good pick), Phelps, and the two volleyball chicks everyone knows. Way to pick outside the norm, ESPN.

3. The Biggest Upset includes US Soccer over Spain, which happened yesterday. The US win was huge, but who does the nominations? If you can nominate anything, where's the kid who did the cartwheel shot? This is a play for soccer fans and a chance to promote THE WORLD'S LARGEST SPORTING EVENT THE WORLD CUP IS ON ESPN NEXT YEAR. Also, the only acceptable choice here is Rays over Red Sox. Mine That Bird at the Kentucky Derby and Oregon State over USC are also nominees.

4. There are only three games in the Best Games; 2008 Wimbledon Final (Federer-Nadal), the Super Bowl, and Syracuse-UConn Big East Quarterfinal six overtime game. Here's what they missed, just off the top of my head; Red Sox-Rays Game 7, Nova-Pitt East Regional (winning layup for Nova with 0.5 left), Magic-Cavs Game 2 (LeBron's shot), the entire Bulls-Celtics series, Texas-Boston College 25 inning game, Miami U-Boston U NCAA Hockey Final (BU scores twice in final minute to tie, wins in OT). Again, picking the most famous, not the best.

5. We finally get to Tebow in the Best Moment category for his Ole Miss speech. Tebow is with Helio Castroneves winning Indy after being acquitted on tax evasion and US Swim Team's win in the 4x100 relay (the one where the US beat the French by .08). Not even Tebow can beat the US destroying the Frenchies.

6. We know ESPN loves to shove women's basketball down our throats. But that doesn't mean UConn women's basketball should be nominated for Best Team. I don't care they went undefeated. That's happened five times already. Women's basketball is about as competitive as the the US Senate right now. (Only nine teams have won the past 20 women's titles.) They also nominate the Penguins, Steelers, Phillies, Tar Heels and Lakers. That's right, the Florida Gators get the snub. Because going 13-1, defeating the No. 1 team in the nation in consecutive games, and holding the most prolific offense in college football history to 14 points, is no big deal.

7. They don't include Urban Meyer in the Best Coach category, but if UConn's Geno Auriemma wins for his ability to yell at girls, this is a farce. Joe Maddon (even if I think he is a terrible strategist) or the Pens' Dan Bylsma are much more worthy candidates.

Tebow is nominated for Best College Athlete, but with Sam Bradford, Blake Griffin, and future Washington Nationals bust Stephen Strasburg, he will have a tough time winning.

In all, the ESPYs are just a ploy to make athletes happy (ooh, a trip to LA!) and appeal to the type of sports fans who only watch the Super Bowl and famous people. Very little baseball, college sports, or hockey. Tiger Woods was nominated for Best Golfer when he has won only two events since the 2008 US Open. Padraig Harrington has won two majors since then. But I guarantee Woods wins anyway. Yet, Hardcore Fans like us will watch, because it's the day after the MLB All-Star Game, and we're just junkies who need a fix on the only day without major pro sports.

Bernie Machen Thinks Your School Sucks

2009-06-17T15:08:16Z

Sometimes UF President Bernie Machen does things the student body and young alumni don't like. He seems detached from the problems of students, he wants to bring back alcohol laws from the 1920's, and he has cut some of UF's oldest programs (Liberal Arts, IFAS) deeper than research ones (Medicine, Engineering).

But the man is hellbent on making UF a top-10 school. In addition to hiring Urban Meyer and being at the helm of the Golden Age of The Florida Gators, Machen knows the importance of a strong athletic program. While most intellectuals would discount sports, Machen knows the self-sustaining UAA is a cash cow, that pulls in support for UF academics as well.

He's also a huge Gator homer.

From the Gainesville Sun (HT: J-Fenn), Machen's US News and World Report ballot of colleges and universities reveals just how far this homerism goes. Machen called UF "Distinguished" (the highest ranking, given 5 points under the US News formula), along with several Ivies, Cal and Michigan. The next best, "Strong," included Penn and Duke. In third place, "Good," was Georgetown, FSU and Miami. Getting only two points was USF and UCF, which Machen lumped into the "Adequate" group.

First of all, while I love UF, we are not better than Duke or Georgetown or as good as Harvard and Yale. Those are elite private universities which have not been choked out by their State Governor, like UF has. It is impossible for UF to be that good until the State of Florida makes a serious commitment to education in all economic climates.

Secondly, FSU sucks way worse than Miami and USF. FSU's medical school is about a decade old. Miami and USF have had med schools for decades. Miami is famous for their spine research, USF for cancer care, FSU for convincing ABC to run 'Seminole Firewater' on live TV. If I was a Miami fan, I'd be pissed someone thought UM was as good as FSU, academically. I will give you that medical programs do not guarantee a good school, but can you name me a good medical program at a crappy school? Plus, medical programs bring in the big bucks, which is why UF and USF are treading water as FSU sinks under the weight of State budget cuts.

I love that Machen thinks we're that good, and I hope when my kids attend UF (and they will), getting in will be harder than when I attended. It will be a long way to go to the top. But it's a lot shorter trip than it will be for FSU, Miami or USF.

College Kids Do Stupid Stuff

2009-06-16T15:27:09Z

The Orlando Sentinel, believe it or not, has one of the Best Sports Sections in the country. For a city with only one pro franchise, that's a big deal. One of the reasons why the Sentinel has done so well is their Florida Gators coverage, led by Jeremy Fowler, who is easily the best Gator beat writer. His Swamp Things blog, which includes Andrea Adelson, should be the first read for every Gator fan.

Fowler and Adelson cover the Gators like the New York Times covers politics or the way ESPN covers Brett Favre; there is always news. When a South Florida Sun-Sentinel columnist noted Florida football's arrests, Adelson gave it a modest treatment. A few days later, Janoris Jenkins got hit with a little taze, and Fowler was giving you the blow-by-blow action. Since the Sun-Sentinel column was noted on May 28, the Sentinel has stuck with the story, pulling every last drop out of it. So much so that they managed to drag Urban Meyer out of his mancave to make a statement. From a database of arrests, to wondering if Florida's discipline savior should be an attorney or Tim Tebow, every angle has been looked at. There has been one angle missing, which Deadspin rightfully called the Sentinel out on;

I count nine cases that rise above garden-variety youthful delinquency. Three of those were tossed. One involved a guy sneaking into an impound to retrieve his girlfriend's towed car, which is downright noble. Nine cases since 2005, if you're counting generously. This a team "out of control"?

Any infraction a college athlete commits, beyond a violent crime, has to be first looked at as "College Kids Do Stupid Stuff". Maybe I'm still too close to college age, so I am more forgiving than Fowler and Adelson, but Fowler was only a few years ahead of me in school. Did he forget what Gainesville can do to the average man? (Actually, both Fowler and Adelson are UF grads, which is probably why they are so good at their jobs.)

I'm not trying to make excuses for UF. As athletes, they are held to a higher standard, and rightfully so. But if you go to school in Gainesville and you don't know productive students who have made mistakes with alcohol/drug use or punched someone in the face, you don't know anyone. (If I didn't carry out one of my female friends from the bar XS, she would have qualified for both.) It is the nature of any college student to act up.

That said, Fowler and Adelson's pursuit of the story is what any good reporter would do. In an age where newspapers are dying, it's nice to see a pair put so much effort into their job. They should also understand their subjects, rather than aiming for the most page views and blog comments. Is the number of arrests a problem? Of course it is. But Meyer removed the four players who were accused multiple times and followed UF policy the rest of the way. Meyer understands he is dealing with 18-22 year olds who are asked to be insane for 14 days a year and perfectly calm the other 351 days. Not to mention, the first time these guys are away from home. Those that cover the Gators do not have to agree with this, or even understand it. They do have to take into consideration that college kids do stupid stuff.

UF Girls Plus Confetti and Breadcrumb

2009-06-11T14:00:32Z

In another sign that this is the Golden Age of The University of Florida, 60% of the incoming freshmen are girls. While females have outnumbered males at UF for about 10 years, no class has been 60-40. Also, one of the side effects of UF becoming more selective has been a drop in the attractiveness of the student body. (I include myself in this, since my lopsided face was in the class of 2006.) But, with more females on campus, surely you'll be able to find hot chicks outside of the sororities. (I say this as a GDI who managed to date two sorority girls, which is not for everyone.)

Speaking of dating hot chicks, The Random Tandem, Confetti and Breadcrumb have dropped their last Gainesville-based video; "I Hate Bees". The boys are headed to New York, leaving Titletown with a lack of ridiculously sexy, tight pants. While "I Hate Bees" lacks the packs of hot chicks that normally follow Confetti and Breadcrumb around, like in "Beards" and "Sideboob", the production values are much better.

You Can't Win If You Can't Pitch

2009-06-08T03:25:32Z

Gator Baseball's horrific exit in the Super Regional against Southern Miss falls squarely on the Florida pitching staff and Kevin O'Sullivan. While UF's pitchers could not hold down a lead, O'Sullivan appeared to have no idea who to use and when to use them. O'Sullivan's strength is his pitching background, but that can be a weakness too. Just as a pitcher rolls through his pitches to find an out pitch, O'Sullivan just kept rolling UF's pitchers, looking for a guy to lock it down. That he was doing this, two games away from Omaha, speaks as much about O'Sullivan as it does his pitchers.

As mentioned in our preview, Southern Miss could hit, and they did with 19 hits over the two game sweep. Not only that, they were able to chase UF's starters (Stephen Locke, Nick Maronde) early, exposing an awful UF bullpen. By comparison, Southern Miss was able to get five out of their starter Sunday, and the bullpen shut out the Gators. On Saturday, Southern Miss was able to scramble, with their pen allowing three runs in six innings.

The future is still bright for Gator Baseball. While Avery Barnes, Locke and Brandon McArthur are done, UF has a lot of young pitchers and SEC Co-freshman of The Year Preston Tucker returns. That said, they should have dominated Southern Miss. They were no better or worse than anyone else UF has played, just simply hotter.

This also ends the School Sports Year. While 2009 still has the Fall, time in college is measured August to June. The only true disappointment this school year was Basketball, and when that's it, you can say it was a good year.

Gators Aim For Omahaaaaa

2009-06-05T15:04:44Z

Gator Baseball came out of regionals smelling like lemon lime Gatorade, and the same might happen when they begin Super Regional play against Southern Miss tomorrow in Gainesville. The No. 8 Gators (42-20) last hosted a Super Regional in 2005, when they defeated FSU to go to the College World Series in Omaha. This time, Southern Miss (38-24) presents a far different challenge; the dreaded Hot Team.

Southern Miss was the three seed in the Atlanta regional, taking two from host Georgia Tech to earn the spot in Gainesville. The Fighting Brett Favres actually took the first two games of the regional, with Tech winning to force the deciding game. The Golden Eagles can rake, scoring 17, 10, and 12 in the wins at Atlanta. As a team this season, they have hit .308. Four players have better than 50 RBI, and two more have 39. (Contrast that to UF, where Preston Tucker has 83 RBI. The only guy above 50 is Josh Adams with that number.)

But Southern Miss allowed 15, 7, 8 and 10 in the loss to Tech. That falls in line with their 5.01 team ERA. Beyond their top two starters; righties Todd McInnis (9-4, 3.21) and JR Ballinger (6-3, 3.92), there aren't any studs. Closer Collin Cargill (11 saves, 3.25) looks like trouble, but it's a minefield for Southern Miss to get to him.

Southpaw Stephen Locke (5-2, 4.02) will be on the bump tomorrow and it is crucial Florida dominates. College Baseball favors teams on hot streaks (see 2006 Oregon State, 2008 Fresno State), and UF needs to impose their will on Southern Miss. Plus, playing Game 1 at 3pm, will be a test for everyone. If Florida can get to Southern Miss' pen, the series will be over in two.

~~Alligator Army is making the trip down for Game 1. Tomorrow, we'll move the twitter feed to the main page, so you can follow along too.~~ Nevermind. There is a 60% chance of rain tomorrow and I'm not excited about trying to fight off a rain delay with 5000 other people. ESPN it is!

(BTW, the title comes from this; the most underrated sports theme song. Another great underrated song; NBC US Open coverage, which immediately makes you think of golf on Father's Day. A very nice challenge to the best themes; The Masters and The NBA on NBC.)

All Things End Badly, Otherwise They Wouldn't End

2009-06-03T13:22:33Z

Such is true of being with good looking women and sports, which we got both of last night. When the final out was made by Washington, sweeping the Gators out of the Women's College World Series Championship Series, it would have been instinct to yell and scream. But that's reserved for football and basketball. When the team looks like your girlfriend or wife, daughter or sister, your first instinct is to console them. There will be a lot of that coming up, as UF has fallen short again. But Softball continues to improve under Tim Walton, who has built a national powerhouse.

UF can take some comfort in that all great teams have to fall first. The Cowboys had to lose the Ice Bowl and Super Bowl V. The Bulls had to lose to the Celtics and Pistons. The Gators had to lose to Auburn in 06 and Ole Miss in 08. As for changes, Stacey Nelson and UF's starting catcher, centerfielder and first baseman are all seniors. It is entirely possible UF is back in Oklahoma City in 2010. For now, that's the only think that can keep their spirits up.

Softball Looking At The Death Of A Season

2009-06-02T14:41:08Z

The Gators 8-0 loss to Washington in Game 1 of the Women's College World Series Championship Series means more than putting UF in a 0-1 hole. For the first time all season, the Gators have to question their mortality. Never before had a team so thoroughly dominated the Gators. Washington looks like they can handle the Gators at every position, and UF responded by recording only two hits, striking out 12 times, committing two errors (including one epic error which swung momentum in the 3rd), and looking nothing like a team that has won 63 games. To use a more recent analogy, the Gators looked like the Cavs in Orlando.

No matter what happens in Game 2 tonight (or a possible Game 3), this is the most successful Gator season and that should not be forgotten. But you don't get this far to earn credit. No one remembers that the 2001 Mariners won 116 games, the 1998 Vikings were 15-1, and eventually the 2007 Patriots will be a footnote too. In the grand history of Florida Athletics, 63 wins for 2009 Softball will just be a round number.

Tonight we will truly see what The Best Dressed Women In Gainesville are made of. Do they fall into a shell, letting another Pac-10 team roll to a National Championship (it would be the 1st for Washington, 22nd for the Pac-10)? Or do they rally back, finding ways to hit against the best pitcher in the Nation?

To be honest, it's a little bit uncomfortable for me to be critical of this team. Friends of mine have played for the team, and I got to cover the team for AM850. But let's be realistic for a moment. When you think of Florida's great Volleyball and Gymnastics programs, you remember they've never won an NCAA title. As good as Baseball has and will be (it was huge beating annual boogie-man Miami in the regionals), they will be 3rd place in the state without a championship. I don't want Softball stuck in that same mindset. With death looking them square in the face, Florida must respond.

Gator Softball Reaches Finals; Championship Mode Begins

2009-06-01T14:12:58Z

Your No. 1 Florida Gators are in the Women's College World Series Championship Series thanks to an epic walk-grand slam by Ali Gardiner to defeat Alabama 6-5. The Best Dressed Women In Gainesville begin play for their first National Championship tonight against No. 3 Washington, in a best of three series.

Gardiner's home run was just another example of how the Gators find ways to win. When you win 63 games, not all of them can be 10-0 wins. While Gator fans should be concerned that UF has scored so much with the long ball in Oklahoma City, Gardiner's homer came when UF found ways to get on base. Not only that, Stephanie Brombacher had to pitch two shutout innings after Stacey Nelson was pulled.

We will know soon enough if Florida is a great team, joining the 2006-07 basketball teams and 2006, 2008 football teams. Also, welcome to Championship Mode.

Poll

What will be the result of the Women's College World Series?

Gators sweep

35 votes

Washington sweep

9 votes

Gators in three games

28 votes

Washington in three games

5 votes

77 votes | Poll has closed

Softball Takes First Game; Baseball Starts Against Bethune-Cookman

2009-05-29T05:51:09Z

No. 1 Gator Softball moves into the winner's bracket after a 3-0 defeat of No. 9 Arizona at the Women's College World Series. After the Wildcats had two hits in the first, pitcher Stacey Nelson shut the door while Francesca Enea and Megan Bush added homers. The ESPN crew broadcasting spent much of the game impressed by Nelson. Apparently they were unaware she has won FORTY GAMES. Nelson's 7 IP, 2 H, 3 BB, 12 K is what she has been doing all season. Nelson and the Gators get No. 5 Michigan Friday night.

No. 8 Gator Baseball (39-20) begins NCAA play Friday night against Bethune-Cookman (32-26). While Bethune is the fourth seed in the regional, they will throw down. Their starter is Hiram Burgos (6-3, 3.73) who has 88 K in 72.1 IP. He also threw six scoreless against Miami on May 8. This is no slouch. Florida's starter will be determined today.

Softball Gets Second Chance At National Championship

2009-05-28T14:17:20Z

When Florida lost in the 2008 Women's College World Series, there was disappointment (they were the top seed) but a sense of greater things to come (they had only one senior). Today, the No. 1 Gators (60-3) begin their chance to overcome last season's loss, opening play against No. 9 Arizona (46-15). The Wildcats have won eight championships, including back-to-back titles in 2006-07. UCLA has the most with 10 championships.

Arizona also represents another barrier in Florida's way; the West's dominance of the Women's College World Series. Only three schools west of the Mississippi River have gotten to the finals, with 2005 Michigan being the only winner. Tennessee's great 2007 team, with Olympian pitcher Monica Abbott, was knocked out by Arizona in three games. The Best Dressed Women In Gainesville have 10 players from out West, including four of the five UF players named to the All-American First and Second teams. I can't tell you why the Pac-10 dominates (defending champion Arizona State is also in OKC), but you'd think Florida's Western vibe is an advantage.

Florida plays at 9pm EDT. Their side of the bracket also includes No. 4 Alabama (52-9, the only SEC team to defeat UF in 2009) and No. 5 Michigan (46-10).

Gators Get No. 8 Seed In Baseball Big Dance

2009-05-25T18:32:15Z

The Gators' 1-2 record in the SEC Tournament was enough to clinch a top-8 seed in the NCAA Baseball Tournament. But as the National 8th seed, the selection committee did the Gators no favors. In the Gainesville regional are Bethune-Cookman (32-26) and Jacksonville (36-20); teams Florida (39-20) defeated once each in 2009. Also coming to Stadium Road is Miami (36-20), who swept the Gators in Gainesville over the last weekend of February. By RPI, Miami is the best 2nd seed of the regional sites. Their seeding seems to be a result of their 1-2 record in the ACC Tournament.

Looking at the rest of the bracket, Florida gets the winner of the Atlanta regional (Georgia Tech, Elon, Southern Miss, Georgia St.). Something that has been happening lately in College Baseball lately is parity, which means the top seeds (plus No. 2s like Miami and last year's runner up UGA) are stacked. Any of the 16 top lines could win in Omaha. Those teams also give you a clue as to how much credit was given to Florida's record. UF played four No. 1 seeds (Louisville, FSU, Ole Miss, LSU) with an 8-5 record. The Gators played five No. 2 seeds (Miami, Bama, South Carolina, Arkansas, UGA), going 9-8, with five of those losses to Arky.

For Florida to get past Miami (who historically has been a barrier between UF and Omaha) and anybody else, they need to pitch. Their 4.17 ERA is third in the SEC, which puts them in the top-20 in the Nation. Miami isn't half bad with a 4.55 ERA, considering they gave up 10 in their last game vs. Boston College.

Play begins May 29 with Bethune Cookman-Florida and Jacksonville-Miami.

Gator Softball Rolls Into Oklahoma City

2009-05-24T21:24:52Z

Neither rain nor the Cal Golden Bears could stop the No. 1 Florida Gators. One day after rain delayed the start of their Super Regional, the Gators swept Cal, 2-0 and 2-1, to advance to Oklahoma City and the Women's College World Series for the second consecutive season. Florida is 60-3, and has not lost since March 29.

All-world pitcher Stacey Nelson (39-3) did not start the second game for The Best Dressed Women In Gainesville. But after Stephanie Brombacher tossd two innings and left losing 1-0, Nelson shut the door in the next five frames by striking out six and allowing only two hits.

The Gator offense was limited to seven hits in the two games. Aja Paculba was the star, scoring the first run in game one, and a two-run homer in game two. Surely, they will need to be much better at the plate starting this week in Oklahoma City.

Florida will enter the Women's College World Series as the favorite. But it will be up to their offense to determine if they continue Florida's run of championships in the last half of this decade.

Calathes Won't Go To NBA; He's Going To Greece

2009-05-23T23:15:27Z

I don't want to make a comment about the quality of Nick Calathes' personality, so I'll just list the facts and you decide.

1. Decides to enter name in NBA Draft, but does not hire an agent.

2. Is projected as a late first rounder, due to some uneven workouts.

3. Reportedly signs deal with a Greek team paying him about the same as an NBA first rounder.

4. Profit.

I'm not knocking a guy playing in Europe (Matt Walsh has been very successful there), but this is Christian Drejer territory. Actually, comparing Drejer to Calathes is a comment on Calathes' personality. I better stop now.

Gator Baseball Opens SEC Tournament

2009-05-20T13:48:23Z

By winning the SEC East, the No. 10 Gators get to play at 11am against Arkansas in the SEC Tournament today. While 11am isn't exactly early, and most of us have played Little League games much earlier than that, I cannot imagine anyone being in peak physical condition at 11am. Not only that, it's 10am Central time, even worse for the Razorbacks (the tournament is in Hoover, Ala.).

Earlier this season, Arky swept the Gators (38-18, 19-11) in Fayetteville, but the teams have gone in opposite directions. The Razorbacks (32-20, 14-15) have lost 8 of 10 games, including their last three. UF's 6-4 record in their last ten isn't that impressive, but they have won 12 of 16 games. UF is a streaky team, with win streaks of 8, 5 (twice), and 4 (twice). They've also had three 3 game losing streaks. In a tournament, this is a huge benefit and huge disadvantage. One bad game can submarine the whole run. But as we saw last season with Fresno State's improbable run to the National Championship, a hot team can crush people.

On the bump today is Stephen Locke (4-1, 4.88), who has experienced enough chaos this season to last a lifetime. Florida has not gotten this far on the strength of their pitching (they are 11th in batting average allowed, .296), but in tournament play, you need your pitching to go deep into games and avoid long at-bats. A good performance by UF can give them one of the coveted top-8 spots in the tournament, so they can host a Super Regional.

Ron Zook Needs Spell Check

2009-05-18T13:58:43Z

From Timmy C, who has twitter just to track nonsense like this;

Softball Faces Cal In Super Regionals

2009-05-18T13:29:01Z

The No. 1 Gators rolled through the regionals, outscoring their opponents 28-1, clinching a spot in the Super Regionals by defeating Lehigh 9-0 Sunday afternoon. UF (58-3) will now play California, who got through the Tallahassee regional without having to face No. 16 FSU. Cal (41-18) was fifth in the competitive Pac-10. Florida defeated Cal in the 2008 Super Regionals.

Softball Begins Dancing, Baseball Clinches SEC East Pennant

2009-05-15T13:55:46Z

Your No. 1 Florida Gators (55-3) open play in the NCAA Tournament this afternoon, facing FAMU (30-30) in regional play. The winner of that game faces the winner of Texas A&M (31-19) and Lehigh (36-16-1). Texas A&M is the team who defeated UF 1-0 in extra innings in the 2008 National Semifinals. The Aggies also ended UF's tournament run in 2007, defeating the Gators in the Super Regionals in College Station. Each round of the tournament is double elimination. As the overall No. 1 seed, The Best Dressed Women in Gainesville would have home field advantage in the Super Regionals as well.

Gator Baseball defeated Kentucky 10-3 last night, clinching the SEC East pennant. This is huge for UF. Not just because there were a lot of questions about how strong their staff would be and if freshmen could step up. But Florida does not have the MLB studs some of the SEC West teams have. (Pitcher Stephen Locke, who got the win last night, might be the most MLB ready guy. Preston Tucker and Matt den Dekker look good too.)

Florida (37-17) has a chance to win the outright SEC title (they are one back of LSU with games today and Saturday), but is more likely playing for a regional host spot. If the Gators can win the SEC Tournament next week in Hoover, that will easily clinch a Super Regional host spot, and a top-8 ranking. The last time the Gators reached Omaha was 2005, when they had home field in both rounds. These Gators are 26-7 at home, 10-9 on the road.