Schools like Florida, stuck in a cycle from the penthouse to the outhouse, can now envision a pathway toward a return to greatness and immediate results from Jon Sumrall, the firebrand some 23 years younger.

Rueben Chinyelu: He's already the best defender in the SEC. (GatorBait Photo by Bobby D'Allessio) In the past five games, we’ve gotten a glimpse of what happens when Rueben Chinyelu goes beast mode. The last four, in particular, have produced consecutive double-doubles, the first time that’s happened at Florida since David Lee did it 21 years ago.   Already the Southeastern Conference Player of the Week, the United States Basketball Writers Association named Chinyelu one of i

Chinyelu delivers a 2-hand second half dunk (UAA Photo) Tommy Haugh and Alex Condon couldn’t buy a basket Tuesday night at the O-Dome. Normally good for 32 points between them, they were held to a combined 17 points on 5-20 shooting by an aggressive LSU defensive scheme designed to neutralize them.  Nearly every shot they took was contested and on those rare occasions when they were open, way too many shots defied gravity and wouldn’t go all the way down.   Fortunately for 16

Rueben Chinyelu was selected SEC Player of the Week (Photo by Chris Spears) Perceptions have certainly changed since the Gators lost on the road at Missouri in the first Southeastern Conference game. Four straight wins including three over ranked teams will do that for you. Florida is now sitting on top of the Southeastern Conference standings, ranked 16 th in both polls and looking like the contender everybody thought the Gators were when the season began back in November.

When it comes to the number on the jersey or uniform, there are as many reasons for the particular number on it as there are athletes.

Isaiah Brown scores on a dunkback in the first half against Vandy (UAA Photo) It was just a step back three that began with a couple of dribbles and a jab step to separate from 6-7, 240-pound Devin McGlockton, who was expecting Xaivian Lee to try to drive the lane. It was perfect execution by Lee, who took a step back and let fly from 22 feet a 3-point shot that touched only net as gravity did its thing. Florida 95, Vanderbilt 94. Forty-five seconds remaining, so it wasn’t ex

Xaivian Lee launches a three from the wing against Vandy (UAA Photo) NASHVILLE, Tennessee – Nobody can say they weren’t warned.   For weeks now, Todd Golden has been telling us that one of these days the Gators are going to start making shots and when they do, they’re going to be a VERY dangerous basketball team. The warning came to fruition Saturday afternoon at Memorial Gymnasium and it involved three rather unexpected quirks that made 19 th -ranked Florida’s 98-94 win over

What Curt Cignetti has proven at Indiana is you can win big without loading up on 4-star or better recruits or portal transfers. The Hoosiers are a game away from a national championship and an historic unbeaten season and Cignetti has done it without spending big NIL bucks to load up on the biggest names in the portal. The Indiana roster was built systematically by a coach who values effort and productivity far more than reputation.   It would seem that Jon Sumrall is follow

It Was THISCLOSE! #1 Florida overcomes slow start on Vault to win a nail-biter at home versus #4 Alabama.

He seemed very intrigued and encouraged by the recent news about new coach John Sumrall and his organization, but claims no inside knowledge.

With the new do Boogie is on a roll (UAA Photo) If you grew up in Sunday School or watching the old Cecile B. DeMille movies, you’re probably familiar with the story of Samson, the strongest man the world has ever known. Until Samson was coaxed into confessing the source of his strength was never cutting his hair, he was the scourge of the countryside. The Philistines quivered in fear that Samson would go on one of those rampages like the one with the jawbone of a donkey. The

Boogie Fland hangs on the rim after a fast beak dunk (UAA Photo) What happened Tuesday night at the Lloyd Noble Center in Norman was the equivalent of a Florida warning shot across the bow of the other 15 teams in the Southeastern Conference. As if 19 th -ranked Florida needed to prove that last week’s blowout wins over Georgia and Tennessee weren’t simply O-Dome home cooking, the Gators (12-5, 3-1 SEC) showed that this newfound intensity plays quite well on the road.   It wa