The skinny
The nucleus of the group that helped lead the Gators to three consecutive Elite Eight appearances and last year's Final Four is now gone, which means Billy Donovan has to find replacements for four senior starters. Junior guard Michael Frazier is the only returning starter but Dorian Finney-Smith, the reigning SEC Sixth Man of the Year, has a wealth of experience and has proven to be formidable in the frontcourt. The Gators can use a three-guard rotation when necessary, but also have some frontcourt size and a true center in Michigan transfer Jon Horford which adds to their versatility.
Who's in charge?
With such a young team, one of Donovan's biggest issues is where will leadership come from? Last year, Donovan said the leadership naturally evolved primarily based on teammates' longtime familiarity. Early in preseason camp, Donovan has expressed concern that as several players trying to step up and become vocal leaders, there's a possibility they are not learning to work as one unit. He's hoping that won't linger.
Who's missing?
Once again, the Gators will be without some key players when the season begins. Sophomore F Chris Walker is suspended for the first three games due to violation of team rules. Brandone Francis has been admitted into school, but NCAA eligibility issues won't allow him to play this season. DeVon Walker is out for the season with a torn ACL and Duke transfer Alex Murphy won't be eligible until after the first semester, missing the first eight to 10 games.
Bracketology
When you're doing major rebuilding, there's no telling what March may hold. Donovan believes he has plenty of talent, but expects it will take time for this team to find itself. Florida is again expected to be among the top teams in the SEC, ranked No. 7 in the Associated Press preseason rankings and picked to finish second, behind Kentucky, in the SEC. Barring major injuries, the Gators should be an NCAA Tournament team, but defending the SEC title may be tough this season with Kentucky projected as a Final Four team.
The last word
"One thing that excites me, in terms of starting a new year, is the preparation leading up to it — how I want our team to play, what identity we want to play to —then try to figure out ways for us to become a cohesive team, a team that plays for one another, is unselfish and has good chemistry. … I think your best teams always have a great love and care for each other. And I think that we get along very, very well." — coach Billy Donovan
Roster
No. Player Pos. Ht., wt. Cl.
0 Kasey Hill G 6-1 So.
1 Eli Carter G 6-2 R-Jr.
2 Brandone Francis G 6-5 Fr
3 Devin Robinson F 6-8 Fr.
5 Alex Murphy F 6-8 Jr.
10 Dorian Finney-Smith F 6-8 R-Jr.
11 Chris Chiozza G 6-0 Fr.
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Explore all your options12 Dillon Graham G 6-4 R-So.
14 Lexx Edwards G 6-2 R-Jr.
15 John Egbunu C 6-11 So.
20 Michael Frazier G 6-4 Jr.
21 Jon Horford C 6-10 R-Sr.
23 Chris Walker F 6-10 So.
24 Zach Hodskins G 6-4 Fr.
25 DeVon Walker G/F 6-6 Jr.
30 Jacob Kurtz F 6-6 Sr.
42 Billy Donovan Jr. G 6-2 R-Sr.
November
14 William & Mary, 6; 17 Miami, 7; 21 Louisiana-Monroe, 8; Tourney at Paradise Island, Bahamas: 26 Georgetown, 9:30 ; 27 UAB or Wisconsin, TBA; 28 Oklahoma, UCLA, UNC or Butler, TBA
December
5 at Kansas, 9; 8 Yale, 7; 12 Texas Southern, 7; 14 Jacksonville, 4; 20 Wake Forest (at Sunrise), 5; 30 at Florida State, 7
January
3 Connecticut, 2; 7 at South Carolina, 7*; 10 Mississippi State, 7*; 15 Auburn, 7*; 17 at Georgia, 2*; 20 LSU, 7*; 24 at Ole Miss, 6*; 27 at Alabama, 9*; 31 Arkansas, 1*.
February
3 at Vanderbilt, 9*; 7 Kentucky, 9*; 12 Ole Miss, 7*; 14 at Texas A&M, 6:30*; 18 Vanderbilt, 7*; 21 at LSU, 1*; 24 at Missouri, 9*; 28 Tennessee, TBA*
March
3 Texas A&M, 9*; 7 at Kentucky, 2* 11-15 SEC tournament.
* SEC game
Antonya English, Times staff writer