NCDS: Rob Lanier, Asst. Coach - Florida
By: Rob Lanier, Asst. Coach - Florida
The season is still young but it has already provided a wide
range of experiences for our players and coaches. We came into the
season with very little fanfare and limited expectations placed on
us. We began the season with the kind of optimism and enthusiasm
that is characteristic of most teams going into a season. In our
case we were able to turn that into an 8-0 start with big wins of
Florida State, Michigan State (who was No. 2 in the nation at the
time) and Big East member Rutgers for the legends classic
championship in Atlantic City over thanksgiving.
That run produced a Top 15 ranking and National attention while
setting the stage for a Nationally televised matchup in Tampa, FL
with Syracuse who was ranked no#6 at the time (and wow, they are
really good!). The game was fairly well played and itwas obvious
that we had too many errors in a game where we needed to play at a
high level to win.
From there we met up with a very good and very experienced Richmond
team that had previously beaten Mississippi State and Missouri. The
game was played down in Ft. Lauderdale where we had a significant
following there was a pretty good contingent of Gators fans in
attendance.
Although we didn't appear to have much fire and passion going into
the game we managed to build a 13 pt lead late in the first half
and were positioned to talke control of the game. But Richmond
capitalized on some defensive break downs in the final minute of
the half and there top scorer knocked down 2 3's and cut the
halftime lead to 8. It turned out to be a sign of things to come.
Richmond continuedon a great run for them and took control of the
game in the 2nd Half. We did fight back and put ourselves back in a
position to win but Richmond's mental toughness and experience from
there prevailed.
So our next game (Dec 22nd) against South Alabama shapes up as a
huge game for us going into Christmas break. Each year, as coaches
you wrestle with the mindset of your players around the Holiday.
South Alabama played tough and determined basketball while we
struggled at both ends. We somehow managed to have a one-point lead
with :12 remaining and lost the game on a failed block-out and an
offensive rebound.
Last night versus American University, we emerged victorious by a
score of 76-60. We were able to hold American to under 40%
shooting and also record 12 steals. The game gave us an
opportunity to improve and earn a victory against a team that
is very well coached and much better than their record currently
indicates. While there's still room for much more
improvement, it was nice to win against American, which was
gaining confidence after adding a mid-year transfer in Vlad
Moldoveanu (19ppg. in three games) and coming off a win
on the road at Big East member Depaul.
This game began a very important stretch for us, along with
games Wednesday and January 3rd at NC State before
we begin SEC play.
* * * *
