Colleges

Refocus on defense sparked win streak

By ANTONYA ENGLISH
Published March 18, 2006

JACKSONVILLE - If Florida advances to the Sweet 16, it might look back to Feb.26 as the season's turning point.

The loss, 85-81 in overtime to Alabama, was the Gators' third in a row, and they gathered afterward for a 45-minute meeting to air their concerns and figure out what was going wrong.

Their biggest concern? Lack of defense.

"We knew we were losing on those parts of the game, but once we had that final talk about it, I guess everybody focused in on it more," junior forward Chris Richard said. "We became a little bit more intense because we know what we have to do to win and advance."

Since that game, the Gators are 6-0 and have allowed 60.5 points per game.

"It was a wake-up call, a good loss," senior guard Adrian Moss said.

CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR: While Wisconsin-Milwaukee was upsetting Oklahoma on Thursday, Florida fans who arrived early cheered them on.

The Panthers believe it might have been an insult rather than a compliment.

"I think they probably thought they would rather see us than Oklahoma, but sometimes you need to watch what you wish for," senior center Adrian Tigert said. "We've proven the lower seed (can win). If that's what they wanted, they got it."

Added teammate Joah Tucker: "I think they were cheering for us at first. But then I heard quite a few people say, "We were cheering for you until we saw how well you were playing.' "

Florida coach Billy Donovan said he's not shocked Gator fans cheered for the Panthers because fans at the NCAA Tournament routinely cheer for the underdog.

LESSONS LEARNED: As the son of former Packers Hall of Famer Bob Jeter, Wisconsin-Milwaukee first-year coach Rob Jeter has heard numerous inspirational stories. But there's one, he said Friday, that symbolizes his team.

"He was the third option on a route for Bart Starr, and he was only going about 70 percent on the route when Bart Starr decided to throw him the ball," Jeter said. "It went 20 or 30 yards over his head. ( Vince) Lombardi, coming down off his perch, grabs my dad by the helmet and said, "Hey, whatever you do, you've got to make sure you do it to the best of your ability or you won't be around here long.'

"That story really stuck out ... because a lot of times in basketball, guys that get open, it's always because of someone else. Everyone needs to do their role to the best of their ability, and it's amazing how successful a team can be."

IS THAT A HAM SANDWICH? Florida sophomore guard Taurean Green had a severe stomach virus at last week's SEC tournament brought on, he believes, by a bad ham sandwich. So imagine the surprise of seeing a ham sandwich beside his locker Friday. Several players were already eating. But Green was still conducting interviews, so his sat neatly wrapped - and waiting.

Asked if he would give it a try, Green said yes, "But this time, I made them give it to me without mayonnaise."

QUOTE OF THE DAY: "I had all of my guys lay down, and we put them on a stretcher to see if we could make them taller." - Jeter on facing Florida's Al Horford and Joakim Noah and their ability to block shots.

[Last modified March 18, 2006, 02:30:29]