Blog # 5

My beloved 13 and holding opt-in Gator Hoops Blogees:

Many of you know I have had season tickets to nearby Samford University. On Friday, I went to Auburn to see Samford play the War Eagles. Folks, it wasn't even close...Auburn's defense is quite poor and Samford won 79 - 68, its first win against a BCS school in over 10 years. http://samfordsports.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/112010aaa.html . The Gators play in Auburn on January 20th....I am pretty confident, you can mark that in the W column for the Water Lizzards.

Ohio State is pretty good as we know by their second half against us. Here is another reason. Comparative scores don't always tell the true story, however, the Gators 17 - point victim on opening night, NC-Wilmington, lost at Ohio State over the weekend by 40, including being down by 32 at half. http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/boxscore?gid=201011200443

It could be a sour New Year's Eve...the champagne might taste a little off after the Gators go to Cincy and battle a tough Xavier team. Remember how they spanked us last year in Gainesville. They are starting off like gangbusters 4-0 including a recent win over the Tidebusters, tough Seton Hall.  http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/recap?gid=201011210508

Guess who is 5 -0? Our old SEC foe, Tubby Smith and the Minnesota Gophers http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/teams/mbd/schedule . Ralph Sampson Jr. has led them to victories over West Virginia and North Carolina (even with the 'Heels freshman pre-season All-American, Harrison Barnes who might be a tad OVERRATED with his 36 per cent shooting percentage) http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/teams/nav/stats

Speaking of beating North Carolina, Vandy got it done yesterday against the 'Heels  http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/recap?gid=201011210615 . I am not looking forward to our annual trip to the Nashville dungeon....this year, it is our regular season finale.

My warning in the last blog about Morehead State and their star was legitimate after watching the Gators play them last night  "I used to see them play Samford when they were in the OVC three years ago. I remember their stud, Kenneth Faried, from when he as a freshman....he is a double-double physical guy."  He proved how special he was with an impressive double-double, including 14 rebounds in the second half. http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/boxscore?gid=201011210210 . Billy compared him to Dennis Rodman, which on the court is a heckuva compliment. The Gators were fortunate to come away with the W.

Ouch, in a matinee today, Anthony Grant and the Tide just lost to the St. Peter's Peacocks 50 - 49 even though St. Peter's only got 19 rebounds for the game. http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/boxscore?gid=201011220543 . Fortunately for Anthony, that loss will be buried in the latter pages of the Birmingham sports section during this Iron Bowl Week.

Gators play former St. Johns coach, Mike Jarvis and Florida Atlantic on Tuesday night. We need to get our mojo back before going to Tallahassee on Sunday night. 

Enjoy and Go Gators!

Barry