Billy Donovan, who coached the Gators men's basketball team for 19 years before departing in April for the NBA, watched his final season at Florida end in mediocrity.
Although the coach cemented his place in college basketball history by reaching 500 wins on Feb. 28 against Tennessee, the Gators failed to qualify for the NCAA Tournament or the National Invitation Tournament for the first time in 18 years.
Their 16-17 record was the worst mark since the 1997-1998 season — Donovan’s second year at UF — when UF finished 14-15.
And while the Gators lost some valuable shooting with Michael Frazier II opting for the NBA Draft and Eli Carter transferring, the talent cupboard is far from bare.
Redshirt senior forward Dorian Finney-Smith is back after having a breakout season for the Gators where he led the team in scoring and rebounding.
Alex Murphy, a Duke transfer and the brother of former Gator Erik Murphy, will return likely in a sixth man role.
Kasey Hill seems poised to breakout as UF’s starting point guard this year, barring any setback in his progression.
Last season, UF’s rotation heavily relied on a pair of freshmen: Chris Chiozza and Devin Robinson.
Chiozza is a quick guard with a slick handle who shot 39 percent from the field and finished second on the team behind Hill with 72 assists.
Robinson also showed flashes at times, displaying athleticism on the perimeter and above the rim as well as a knack for getting in the paint.
He finished the season averaging six points and nearly three rebounds per game in 19 minutes.
After adding some much-needed size to his frame, Robinson is hoping to cement himself as a versatile starting forward in Florida’s rotation.
All of Florida’s pieces will have a fresh start in a new system under Michael White, the former Louisiana Tech coach who was hired in May after Donovan left for the NBA.
White, whom many basketball analysts dubbed the nation’s next up-and-coming head coach, is known for utilizing an aggressive man-to-man defense and fast paced offense.
White was able to secure three recruits signed by Donovan, and if early murmurs are any indication, freshman KeVaughn Allen could impact the Gators immediately.
Allen is a 6-foot-3 guard known for his tremendous, natural scoring ability.
Furthermore, Allen can create his own shot and has the versatility to play numerous positions in the backcourt if need be.
Justin Leon, Keith Stone and Kevarrius Hayes join Allen as the four new faces, besides coaches, that will take the court for the Gators next season.
Leon is a junior college transfer from Shawnee Community College in Illinois who followed White to UF after originally committing to Louisiana Tech.
The 6-foot-8 forward averaged 21.5 points and 10.0 rebounds last season at Shawnee and was named a junior college All-American.
Stone and Hayes, both forwards, bring height and power to the Gators’ frontcourt.
Along with the addition of Leon, the new forwards could solidify the rotation of consistent big men that Florida lacked last year.
Florida fans may recognize John Egbunu when he takes the court this season, and that’s because the transfer from USF sat out last season due to NCAA transfer rules.
Egbunu, the 6-foot-11 redshirt sophomore center, will be eligible when the season begins and will likely open the season as the team’s starting center.
While the team enters the season with a new coach, new faces and low expectations, adding these new player options to a roster that already includes Finney-Smith, Hill, Murphy, Chiozza, Robinson and DeVon Walker, who is returning from injury, will provide White with depth at each position.
If the Gators buy-in to White’s system and avoid the me-first attitudes that Donovan railed against last season, Florida could prove to be a formidable opponent with the odds against them.
Follow Ian Cohen on Twitter @ICohenB
Follow Alex Maminakis on Twitter @alexmaminakis
Dorian Finney-Smith looks to pass the ball during Florida's win against Texas A&M on March 3.
