After winning consecutive NCAA national championships, the Gators have made consecutive NIT appearances and hope to reverse their fortunes. Leading scorer Nick Calathes is gone (playing professionally in Europe), so one of the Gators' top priorities is filling that void. They return four starters, but coach Billy Donovan said in many ways it's like a new team because of the many changes for the returners, several of whom had been playing out of position out of necessity. "I think that there are a lot of people who have a lot of questions about who this team is and what they can become. And to me, that's exciting and challenging," said Donovan, who enters his 14th season at UF. "I think our guys are working toward that. There are things that I'm seeing that as a team makes me feel like we are moving in the right direction."
A closer look …
RISING STAR: Although Donovan has tried to downplay it, freshman G Kenny Boynton's arrival is being viewed as a huge boost. After the loss of Calathes, Boynton brings athleticism and versatility. He can play either backcourt position, and at 6 feet 2, he brings height the Gators lack in 5-8 G Erving Walker.
And most of all, he can score. Boynton finished his career at Plantation American Heritage as the third-leading scorer in Florida high school history. In the Gators' exhibition win over Saint Leo, he led all scorers with 22 points.
"I think (Kenny's) case, for a player who has come in with the reputation that he has, he has come in with a great level of humility," Donovan said. "Sometimes when you have guys like that come in, they come in with an attitude and the idea that they already have all of the answers and have it all figured out. He is anything but that."
SECURING THE MIDDLE: After struggling last season without a bona fide center, the Gators now have one in Vernon Macklin. The Georgetown transfer sat out last season, giving him an opportunity to learn Donovan's system.
"I watched a lot of games. I worked out with Coach Donovan and Coach (Rob) Lanier," Macklin said. "So it helped me a lot, like being a lot more mental, stronger, and physical. I think this whole year sitting out really helped me do what I want to do."
TOUGHEN UP: The Gators have been widely criticized for their soft nonconference schedule. So Donovan has taken heed and added some quality opponents for this season, including Michigan State, Syracuse, Rutgers or UMass (tournament), Xavier and N.C. State.
BACK IN THE FOLD: After leaving the program in the spring with the intention of transferring, junior Alex Tyus decided to return and is expected to make a much stronger contribution at forward, where he feels more comfortable.
He led the team in rebounding and scored 12.5 points per game as an undersized center.
"It was tough. It was very tough," Tyus said. "I can't say it was easy to bang all the time in the SEC. Just thinking back, this was the main place I wanted to be, and this is where I am at. I realized that my best opportunity is right here."
RUNNING THE SHOW: With Calathes gone, Walker will take over the role of floor general. He played all 36 games last season and said making the transition won't be a problem.
Said Donovan: "I told him that this season will be the most challenging of his career in basketball."
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