Just seven months ago the Gators men's basketball team had no coach, no exciting prospects and no signs of success on the near horizon. However, inside the gym at Florida’s first preseason practices this week, things looked very different. It all starts with new head coach Todd Golden.
Florida Gators forward Keyontae Johnson officially entered the transfer portal Sunday.
He’s not done just yet. Florida forward Colin Castleton will wear the orange and blue for one more season.
The team announced Friday that Todd Golden, 36, will be taking the reins of Florida men’s basketball. He is the 20th head coach in program history.
As he enters the spotlight as Florida basketballu2019s new head coach, Todd Golden is grateful to lead a program he's always been fond of.
Florida’s season came to an end Sunday in a 72-56 loss to Xavier. “This is a low, they need to learn from it and it’ll make them better,” interim head coach Al Pinkins said.
“That one was for him. Everything out there was for him,” said Colin Castleton following Florida’s first win under its new interim coach Al Pinkins. The Gators advanced to round two of the NIT Wednesday night.
Former Florida head coach Mike White has elected to step away from the Gators, taking the vacant head coaching position at the University of Georgia.
Florida HC Mike White gave a somber speech to the media after Thursday’s loss to Texas A&M, which bounced the Gators from the SEC Tournament and turned their tournament hopes to wash. “A two hour microcosm of the season,” White said. “Ups, downs. Leave everything out on the floor and come up just a little bit short.”
Florida’s SEC Tournament matchup Thursday will be a make-or-break game for the Gators’ Big Dance aspirations.
Kentucky's Oscar Thsiebwe dominated Florida to the tune of 27 points and 15 rebounds. This marks the second loss to the Wildcat's this season and leaves UF with work to do in the SEC Tournament.
With six seconds remaining, Phlandrous Fleming Jr. launched a three to put Florida ahead of Vanderbilt. “They called the play ‘home run,’” Fleming said. “I was wondering who would go and get it.” Fleming went and got it, and he hit it out of the park.
“We have to be desperate, we have to be urgent now,” said Florida forward Anthony Duruji following Tuesday night’s loss to No. 18 Arkansas. Colin Castleton set a new career-high in points, but it wasn’t enough to take down the Razorbacks.
Kentucky center Oscar Tshwiebe proved too much for Florida to handle in a 21-point loss to the Wildcats. “He’s probably the best rebounder I’ve ever played against.” Colin Castleton said.
Florida held strong against UGA despite the ‘Dawgs comeback effort in the closing minutes.
Solutions by The State News
