Have the Gators ever had a better late game closer than Walter Clayton Jr. (Photo by Chris Spears) Of the eight games the Gators lost last season, seven were by a combined 25 points: Arizona (6), TCU (4), Duke (1), UConn (4), Missouri (2), Auburn (7) and Iowa (1). The other loss was to Vanderbilt (17). Arizona and UConn are in the Final Four and it’s possible they could meet for the national championship on Monday. Duke and Iowa made the Elite Eight. TCU and Missouri made the NCAA Tournament as did Vanderbilt. Auburn plays tonight in the NIT semifinals. Not a cheap loss to a bad team in the bunch.   When the Gators won the 2025 national championship, they were the undisputed kings of close call wins and comebacks. Last year’s team was unfazed by white knuckles circumstances in the final minutes of a game. Comebacks? They were the comeback kids. In the NCAA Tournament alone they came back from 10 with 7:47 to go to beat Texas Tech in the Elite Eight game in San Francisco. In the semifinals, they were down 12 in the second half to No.1 overall seed Auburn. In the championship game, Houston had the Gators by 12 and on the ropes in the second half. The Gators beat Texas Tech by five, Auburn by six and Houston by two. During the regular season, the Gators came from 14 down in the final minutes for a 1-point win over South Carolina. The Gators led that one by all of 43 seconds. In Athens, the Gators trailed Georgia by 25 points in the first half, but rallied to take the lead in the final two minutes only to give out of gas.   It could be argued that this year’s Florida team could have and should have beaten Arizona, TCU, Duke, UConn, Missouri and Iowa. Defeat was snatched from the jaws of victory in those six. The Gators probably could have won the Auburn game but they never seemed in synch the entire 40 minutes. Still, a shot here, a shot there, one or two fewer turnovers and a stop or two and that’s a win. Vandy? Forget about it. For reasons no one can pinpoint, the Gators were a no show that game.   So what was the difference? Why is it the 2025 national championship team was aces at clutch your pearls and take a deep breath time and this year’s team found creative ways to wilt when it mattered?   The best argument that can be made is the 2025 team had three guys – Walter Clayton Jr., Will Richard and Alijah Martin – who not only wanted to take the shots that mattered but wanted to guard the guys on the other team who take the big shots when the clock was winding down toward all zeroes. Walt gets well-deserved credit for his shot making in big games, but he was a far better defender than anyone wants to give him credit for. Just ask Emanuel Sharp of Houston. Richard made the shot that beat South Carolina, but he also made huge defensive plays in the Auburn and Houston Final Four wins. His offense carried the Gators until they mounted the comeback against Houston. Martin was an in your face defender who had a habit of showing up where the ball was and turning it into much needed points. The dunk against UConn and the burst of speed dunk late against Auburn come to mind.   Alijah Martin's dunk on UConn helped seal the deal last year (Photo by Chris Spears) Those guys were unafraid of big moments, no matter which end of the court they were playing. That’s partly because what is in their DNA but also because experience taught them how to handle difficult late game situations. The hearts of Clayton, Richard and Martin might have felt ready to explode out the chest and stick to the nearest wall, but you would have never known it by outward appearance. And you would have never known it by late game performances. Those three were closers, among the best we've seen in college basketball in a number of years. What the Gators lacked this year were closers.   Now, this is not to insinuate that any of the 2025-26 Gators lacked the demeanor it takes to do the things that win close games, but we can draw a few conclusions from the results: (1) It took awhile, perhaps too long, for the real chemistry between Boogie Fland and Xaivian Lee to develop which proved costly in November and December when the Gators started the season 5-4; (2) there was never a go-to guy established for late game situations, evident in all the close call losses; and (3) with the exception of the first Vanderbilt game and the three Kentucky games every Florida win was decided by 10 or more points, which might have hurt when the games got tight.   Lee and Fland had some late game moments when they were superb, but Fland committed crucial turnovers late in the losses to Duke and UConn and his missed defensive assignment in the Iowa loss was critical. Lee had a miserable game shooting the ball against Arizona to start the season and he ended the season against Iowa when he elected to try to pass the ball instead of taking the last shot. The lasting memory of Lee is the Iowa game. It’s easy to say if given a second chance he would have taken the shot or tried to draw a foul, but there are no do-overs.   Urban Klavzar is the only true proven shooter returning for next season (Photo by Chris Spears) Lee has exhausted his eligibility and is headed for the pros. Fland will be back next year as the lead guard. He was a 24 percent 3-point shooter last season and for the Gators to challenge for SEC supremacy and to make a strong NCAA run next year, that has to improve. Urban Klavzar shot 40.6 percent from three but he’s too easy to double up if someone else isn’t a legitimate threat to make an outside shot. The Brown brothers – Isaiah and AJ – are capable shooters so that will help. AJ took a redshirt after his transfer from Ohio U where he shot 38.8 percent from three during the 2024-25 season. In high school, Alex Lloyd was an absolute sniper and CJ Ingram, who could wind up playing the Tommy Haugh role next year, showed late season that he has developed a good looking deep shot. His sample size – 16 threes – is small but he hit eight of them including five of his last seven attempts.   Golden likes a big, fast team that runs the floor. How big the Gators are will be determined by who, if any of the fearsome foursome of Haugh, Alex Condon, Rueben Chinyelu and Micah Handlogten return. It’s entirely possible that all four will be gone and it’s not out of the question that Condon, Chinyelu and Handlogten will be back. If two or more bigs are gone, expect Golden to dip into the portal for at least two in the 6-10 to 7-1 range. If Condon, Chinyelu and Handlogten come back he’ll probably take one from the portal to go with returnee Viktor Mikic and freshman Jones Lay.   But whether it’s a big team that can pound away in the paint or one that is perimeter driven, Golden has to find guys who want to take and can make the last shot.  It is imperative to find one or more closers.   COACHING STUFF Consensus opinion was LSU broke the bank when it fired football coach Brian Kelly and poached Lane Kiffin from Ole Miss. Apparently, LSU has money no one knew about because in hiring Will Wade away from North Carolina State, the boosters are on the hook for $200 million in contract obligations.   Wade was fired with cause by LSU four years ago but after four years of the basketball program spinning its wheels, Matt McMahon was fired and Wade was re-hired. It should be noted that all the things Wade was fired for are now legal. This is why we say NIL stands for now it’s legal.   North Carolina State was quick replacing Wade with Justin Gainey, the top assistant for Rick Barnes at Tennessee.   McMahon was the only SEC coach who was fired but there is an outside possibility that the Vanderbilt job will open if North Carolina can’t land Tommy Lloyd (Arizona), Dusty May (Michigan) or Billy Donovan (Chicago Bulls). Mike Byington is considered the backup plan if UNC whiffs on the three top targets. His Vanderbilt buyout won’t break the UNC bank and he’s familiar with the state since he played collegiately at UNC-Wilmington. Smart money is on Donovan.   Bill Self has announced he will be back at Kansas for 2026-27. Self has had some heart issues in recent years so it was thought he might call it a career.   Keep an eye on Arizona State, which lured Randy Bennett away from Saint Mary’s. Bennett has some health issues of his own, but says he will be back on the job soon. His health issues could influence the transfer decisions of Paulius Murauskas, 7-3 Andrew McKeever and freshman stud Dillan Shaw.   The way too early coaches hot seat for next year starts with Mark Pope at Kentucky. Another season with 10 or more losses or failing to get to the second NCAA weekend will make him a goner. Lamont Paris at South Carolina has a foot out the door already. Steven Pearl and Auburn play in the NIT semifinals tonight. He can buy a lot of good will with the AU faithful if he wins the tournament.   SEC IN THE PORTAL Florida Olivier Rioux (7-9, 305, RFR )   Georgia Jeremiah Wilkinson (6-1, 185, SO); Dylan James (6-9, 235, JR); Somto Cyril (6-11, 260, SO); Jackson McVey (7-1, 240, FR)   Kentucky Jaland Lowe (6-2, 170, JR)   LSU Dedan Thomas Jr. (6-1, 178, JR); Jalen Reed (6-10, 230, SR); Mazi Mosley (6-5, 169, FR); Matt Gilhool (6-11, 213, FR)   Mississippi State Jamarion Davis-Fleming (6-10, 240, FR)   Missouri Anthony Robinson II (6-2, 175, JR); Sebastian Mack (6-3, 195, JR)   Ole Miss Eduardo Klafke (6-5, 190, SO); Ilias Kamardine (6-5, 185, FR); South Carolina Eli Ellis (6-6, 192, FR); Elijah Strong (6-8, 225, JR); EJ Walker (6-7, 253, FR)   Tennessee Tyler Lundblade (6-5, 195, SR, from Belmont)   FINAL FOUR Michigan vs. Arizona: Michigan is tall, deep and plays great defense. Arizona is every bit as tall, plays great defense and has more quality coming off the bench. Michigan can’t win unless it bombs away from three. Arizona can win with or without making a ton of threes. I think Arizona’s Braden Burries and Tobe Awaka coming off the bench as the difference makers. Michigan is favored by 1.5 points but I like Arizona for the win.      Illinois vs. UConn: The Illini have the tallest team in the country and they come at you in waves, but do they have anyone who can handle Tarris Ross, who has gone beast mode for the tournament? UConn has the discipline and head coach Dan Hurley brings championship DNA. The Illini are 1.5-point favorites. I like UConn to win this one.

Sumrall flits about practice like a bee spreading pollen. (Chris Spears Photo)   Jon Sumrall excedes our expectations as a communicator.   There was a time — not so long ago — when covering Florida football felt a little like trying to read smoke signals in a hurricane.   You showed up. You waited. You asked. And mostly, you got… not much.   Billy Napier ran a tight ship, buttoned up at the lips and at the collar, and if there was information to be had, it came out like toothpaste from a nearly empty tube. It would have been quicker waiting for a puff of smoke out of the Vatican.   Access was scarce. And candor? Well, let’s just say it wasn’t exactly flowing down University Avenue.   Then along came Jon Sumrall.   And folks, the man doesn’t just open the door — he knocks the hinges off.   If Napier was guarded, Sumrall is a full-on motormouth. And that’s not a complaint — it’s a joyful revival.   He talks. He jokes. He answers. He leans in. Big media, small media — it doesn’t matter. If you’ve got a question, he’s got a thought, and usually a pretty honest one at that. His philosophy? Simple enough: “Be who I am.”   Turns out, who he is… is refreshing.   There’s no such thing as an off day in this program anymore — not with this coach, not with this wiring. He moves like a man chased by a stopwatch, fueled by equal parts purpose and paranoia, convinced there’s always one more call to make, one more hand to shake, one more edge to find.   They’ve started to notice: The lights are on earlier, the texts come later and the pace never quite slows to a walk.   He’s a connector by nature, a relentless dot-linker, working the state — and beyond — like a bee in full bloom season, pollinating every corner of his football colony. High school coaches, boosters, parents, former players, seventh graders with a Hudl page — nobody’s too small, nobody’s off the grid. Because in his mind, every conversation is a seed and every seed has a chance to grow into something Florida can use on Saturdays.   No days off? That’s not a slogan. That’s just how he’s built.   Spend five minutes around Sumrall and you’ll hear everything from roster evaluations to life lessons pulled from the most unlikely places. Urban Meyer. Ron Zook. Liam Coen. Even his son’s middle school practice.   “I want to learn something from everybody,” he says. Imagine that — a coach at Florida still curious.   On the field, the reviews from spring camp are about what you’d expect this time of year: Flashes of promise, mixed with the occasional head-scratcher.   “Every day,” Sumrall admits, “I’ve seen some plays where I’m like, ‘That’s it.’ And then every day, I’ve seen some plays where I’m like, ‘That ain’t it.’ ”   Translation? There’s work to do.   But there’s also something else —something this program has been starving for.   Juice. Energy. A sense that somebody’s actually pushing the gas pedal.   “They were playing like their hair was on fire,” said former Gator Caleb Banks after watching practice. That’s not coach-speak. That’s a player recognizing a pulse. Sumrall has already started identifying his tone-setters.   Cornerback Ben Hanks III is earning praise as the most consistent in the secondary. Georgia Tech transfer tight end Luke Harpring is the “best all-around” at his spot so far.   And up front, Brendan Bett and Penn State transfer TJ Shanahan are the kind of linemen, Sumrall says, who “crack the egg”—the kind you don’t have to wonder about when it comes to physicality.   And then there’s Myles Graham, fresh off shoulder surgery, not even fully live yet — but already flashing instincts that make coaches smile and quarterbacks uneasy.   “He just wants to pop pads,” Sumrall grinned. “That’s who he is.”   That might be the most telling line of the spring.   Because this Florida team, for all its talent, hasn’t always played like it wanted to hit somebody.   Ditto the recuperating WR blazer Dallas Wilson, who can spook the DBs as he’s starting to run a little.   Sumrall noticed. But he’s not particularly interested in making friends or being liked while fixing it.   Take tailback Jadan Baugh — a gifted, willing player by all accounts. Sumrall isn’t handing out back slaps.   “I don’t care if he likes me,” he said. “I hope he respects me.”   That’s not cold. That’s clarity.   And maybe that’s the biggest difference so far — not just the volume of Sumrall’s voice, but the sharpness of his message.   He’ll joke about being a “great coach when I’ve got great players,” even tossing a wink toward NIL efforts.   He’ll rib Ron Zook about aging. But underneath it all is a guy who knows exactly what he’s looking for — and isn’t afraid to say when he’s not seeing it.   “I’m not patient,” Sumrall often admits. “But that doesn’t mean I don’t need to have some patience.”   In other words, he’s human. And he’s honest about it. Which, around here, feels like a bit of a breakthrough.   It’s only spring. Nobody’s hanging banners. Nobody’s booking Atlanta. And there are still plenty of “that ain’t it” moments to clean up.   But for the first time in a while, Florida football sounds different.   More open. More urgent. More alive.   And if nothing else, at least now when you ask a question… you might actually get an answer.   I would like to add “amen“ and “thank you” on behalf of the working media who covers University of Florida football.

Will Rueben Chinyelu return to Florida or bolt for the NBA (Photo by Chris Spears) When Rueben Chinyelu was announced as the National Defensive Player of the Year Tuesday by the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC), it confirmed what Todd Golden has been saying for months. With the 2026 award in hand, is it possible that Chinyelu will be back in his Florida uniform with a chance to not only win the defensive player of the year award a second time, but get the Gators back in the Final Four?   Golden along with the entire Gator Nation is waiting decisions from Chinyelu, Alex Condon and Micah Handlogten. Will Chinyelu and Condon declare for the NBA Draft and will Handlogten get the NCAA waiver that will allow him another year of eligibility?   Condon is projected a second rounder in nearly every mock NBA draft, but he’s close enough to late first round that the NBA Combine and individual workouts could slide him in among the top 30 selections. In Florida’s last 15 games, Condon averaged 17.2 points and 6.3 rebounds. He finished second on the team with 3.6 assists per game and averaged 1.4 blocked shots. He’s not a 3-point shooter but his development of a deadly floater from 10 feet on in is a real plus.   Chinyelu is projected middle of the second round at the earliest. He finished fourth in the country in rebounding (11.2) while scoring 10.9 points per game. He’s an exceptional defender who is mobile enough to take on guards on the perimeter while being an imposing presence in the paint. His offensive game is raw, confined to baby hooks inside five feet and dunks. His lack of a jump shot even out to 10-12 feet hurts his draft stock since the NBA has so many bigs who can shoot from the foul line on out to three.   All first rounders get multi-year, guaranteed money contracts. It’s rare that a second rounder gets multiple years and guaranteed money although it has been done. Chandler Parsons got a four-year guaranteed deal worth $3.7 million with the Houston Rockets back in 2011, but that’s a rarity. Kennedy Chandler in 2022 got a 4-year deal worth $7.1 million as a second rounder, all the money guaranteed, but he was waived in 2023. Since the money was guaranteed he was paid through last season.   Second round picks get contracts that are guaranteed, partially-guaranteed and 2-way deals. Most second rounders get the NBA minimum (somewhere around $1.2 million) if they stick with the team. Many second rounders are signed to 2-way deals which means 50 percent of the NBA minimum plus NBA per game for every game they play when called up to the big club.   Thanks to NIL money, both Condon and Chinyelu could make more money coming back to Florida if their agents aren’t assured of a multi-year contract for the second round.   Handlogten’s fate is in the hands of the NCAA but considering many of the recent rulings and court cases, there is a good chance he returns.   Here is the Florida roster breakdown:   GONERS Xaivian Lee (6-4, 185, SR): Does he go with the G-League or leave for Europe? His game translates nicely to the Euro style.   Olivier Rioux (7-9, 305, RFR): He’s in the portal, hoping to land somewhere that he can play.   AWAITING DECISIONS Tommy Haugh (6-9, 215, JR): He’s moved up in many mock drafts to lottery level. Figure he will go somewhere between 12 and 16, which means four years and somewhere in the $20-27-million range. Could he come back? Anything is possible. Will he come back? Don’t bet even $1 dollar on it.   Alex Condon dunks on Kentucky (Photo by Chris Spears) Alex Condon (6-11, 236, JR:): ESPN’s latest two-round mock draft has Condon going No. 33 to Memphis. NBAdraft.net has him slipping into the first round at No. 29 to San Antonio. Nail biter of a decision to be made here.   Rueben Chinyelu (6-11, 265, JR): Nearly every mock draft has Chinyelu somewhere in the 40s of the second round. ESPN’s mock has him No. 47 to the Magic. Seems wise for him to return. He will definitely make more money at UF.   Micah Handlogten (7-1, 260, SR): He has appealed to the NCAA for an extra season. There is no telling what the NCAA will rule, but considering some of the decisions that have been made, plus the chance that Micah can take his appeal to the courts, there is a very good chance he will get the waiver to return.   Viktor Mikic (6-11, 260, SO): He’s only been seen in mop up minutes in real games, but he practices hard and has a strong work ethic. He can shoot the ball from the 3-point line with a very nice stroke. Played last summer for Serbia’s 19-and-under team at the FIBA Euros.   Alex Kovatchev (6-5, 195, RSO): Australian who played sparingly after transferring in from Sacramento State. Very good practice player and good defensively.   CJ Ingram (6-7, 210, FR): He knows he will have first shot at Tommy Haugh’s job, so why would he leave? He has all the athletic ability in the world, he’s developed a very nice 3-point shot and he’s a legacy of one of the more popular Gators of all time (Cornelius Ingram). He has grown since the start of the 2025-26 season and it wouldn’t be surprising if he tops out somewhere between 6-8 and 6-9.   COMMITTED TO RETURN Boogie Fland is set to return for another season (Photo by Chris Spears) Boogie Fland (6-3, 185, SO): He can handle the ball, play great defense and get the ball up the court in a hurry. Has to become a consistent 3-point shooter and eliminate turnovers.   Urban Klavzar (6-1, 190, JR): SEC Sixth Man of the Year. Should thrive in a starting role. True 3-point bomber who hit 40.6 percent of his threes. Could he be on the Slovenia roster for the FIBA Euro World Cup tournament this summer?   AJ Brown (6-5, 210, RJR): Excellent 3-point shooter who, after transferring from Ohio U, took a redshirt to rehab his surgically repaired shoulder. Very physical defender.   Isaiah Brown (6-5, 210, JR): Played himself into the rotation with his defense and energy. His 3-point shooting was a plus. He has star quality.   Alex Lloyd (6-3, 180, FR): Seems more of a combo guard than a pure point. Excellent shooter from deep. Needs to add 10-20 pounds of muscle to handle the rigors of the SEC.     INTERESTING NAMES IN THE TRANSFER PORTAL Paulius Mauraskas (6-8, 235, JR, Saint Mary’s): Yes, he’s a one-and-done but if he’s interested in UF then take him. He’s powerful, can handle the ball and he can shoot. The thought is he will follow Randy Bennett to Arizona State but if he’s available, take him. Lithuanian from the Zalgris organization.   Andrew McKeever (7-3, 285, SO, Saint Mary’s): You can’t teach tall (7-3) and he’s got aircraft carrier size. At Saint Mary’s he did what he was asked to do, stick back misses in the paint, rebound and scare people from venturing into the paint. Averaged 8.2 points and 9.2 rebounds. Will he follow Randy Bennett to Arizona State?   Christian Hammond (6-4, 195, SO, Santa Clara): There is a lot of talk that Florida is already in the mix. As a sophomore he averaged 15.6 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game for an NCAA team. Outstanding defender who shot 39.3 percent from the 3-point line.   Joel Foxwell (6-1, 180, FR, Portland): Australian transplant who is exceptional in the open court. Great ball handler and passer who averaged 15.6 points, 4.3 rebounds and 6.5 assists per game, which ranked 13 th nationally. Needs work on his shot, but is an outstanding distributor. Averaged 1.5 steals per game and 80.7 percent from the foul line.   Ben Defty (7-0, 255, SO, Boston University): German native who played high school basketball at a New England prep school. Defty was one of the most improved players in the country as a sophomore. Legitimate size, serious rim protector. Averaged 15.1 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.7 blocked shots per game.   Adam Olsen (6-8, 225, JR, South Alabama): Serious shooter who hit 39.1 percent from three. Spent two years playing in Canada before arriving in the US at South Alabama. Would the NCAA give him one or two years eligibility? Averaged 16.7 points and 4.1 rebounds. Does he rebound well enough?   Sam Orme (6-9, 220, SO, Belmont): First and foremost, Florida’s last transfer from Belmont (Will Richard) turned out pretty well, didn’t he? Averaged 12.7 points, 5.0 rebounds and shot 39.7 percent on 3-pointers as a sophomore. Career average 11.2 points and 38.7 percent on threes.   Neoklis Avdalas (6-9, 215, FR, Virginia Tech): He can play all three wing positions quite well, but is most comfortable at the point. As a freshman, he averaged 12.1 points, 3.1 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game. He’s 20 years old and from Greece.   Sananda Fru (6-11, 245, JR, Louisville): If circumstances require a one-and-done big, then this might be a good choice for the Gators. Played two years in the Euro leagues then spent last year at Louisville where he averaged 9.0 points and 6.1 rebounds per game. Very physical.   Brandon Benjamin (6-8, 240, FR, Fairfield): Rebounding machine who averaged 14.2 points and 10.4 rebounds per game as the only big on a vertically challenged team. Three years eligibility.   Baye Ndongo (6-9, 250, JR, Georgia Tech): Native of Senegal who has scored 1,133 points (12.6 per game) and grabbed 762 rebounds (8.5 per game) as a 3-year starter for a bad team. A possibility if the Gators are looking for a one-and-done type who allows young players to develop.   Brant Byers (6-8, 200, SO, Miami OH): He will be one of the most sought after players in the portal. He’s a 6-8 wing guard who can shoot (39.1 percent from three), rebound and handle the ball. Averaged 14.2 points and 4.1 rebounds for Miami. Was one of the best late game clutch shooters in the country.   SEC TRANSFERS Florida Olivier Rioux (7-9, 305, RFR): He’s still got a long way to go and he’s nowhere near ready for play in the Southeastern Conference. He needs to go somewhere that he’ll have a chance to earn meaningful minutes so he can develop.   Georgia Jeremiah Wilkinson (6-1, 185, SO): Huge loss for Mike White. Big time scorer (17.4 last season) who averaged 15.1 as a freshman at California. Atlanta native. Will be a priority recruit for Tennessee, Alabama and Auburn.   Dylan James (6-9, 235, JR): Big and strong but an average rebounder and not much on the offensive end. Winter Haven native who could wind up at South Florida or UCF.   Somto Cyril (6-11, 260, SO): Huge loss for Georgia. One of the nation’s top rim protectors who averaged 9.4 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game. Nigerian who played high school basketball at Hamilton Heights in Chattanooga, same school that several Gators including Mikic have come from. Expect Florida to be involved.   Kentucky Jaland Lowe (6-2, 170, JR): Transferred to UK from Pitt but played in only eight games due to injury. Probably will get another year because of the injury. In the eight games he played averaged 8.0 points, 2.1 rebounds and 2.4 assists. Not a very good shooter,   LSU Dedan Thomas Jr. (6-1, 178, JR): Instant offense. He can score and he was leading the SEC in assists before he got hurt. Averaged 15.3 points and 6.5 assists. Spent his first two seasons at UNLV and was once a high priority Florida recruit. Played in 16 games this past season and will likely appeal for another year.   Jalen Reed (6-10, 230, SR): He’s only played in 14 games the last two years because of injuries, so he’s almost guaranteed to get at least one year more of eligibility. Was a priority recruit for UF in the Mike White days.     Mazi Mosley (6-5, 169, FR): He was a 4-star recruit out of high school but averaged only 6.3 minutes in 19 games as a freshman.   Mississippi State Jamarion Davis-Fleming (6-10, 240, FR): He’s got size and potential. Shouldn’t last long on the portal with three years eligibility remaining. Averaged 3.7 points and 4.9 rebounds in 20 minutes per game.   Missouri Anthony Robinson II (6-2, 175, JR): He’s a Tallahassee native who probably winds up playing his last year at FSU. Averaged 8.9 points, 3.1 rebounds and 3.0 assists at Mizzou last season.   Ole Miss Eduardo Klafke (6-5, 190, SO): Brazilian with shooting skills but not much in the way of defense. Averaged 4.6 points and 2.5 rebounds per game off the bench.   Ilias Kamardine (6-5, 185, FR): This is a big loss for the Rebels. A former pro in France, Kamardine averaged 11.3 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.8 assists as a freshman. Have to figure he’s one-and-done wherever he goes since he’s already 22 years old.   South Carolina Eli Ellis (6-6, 192, FR): Averaged 8.9 points. Arrived at SC with a reputation as a shooter but hit only 28 percent of his threes.   Elijah Strong (6-8, 225, JR): Third year guy who spent his first two seasons at Boston College. Averaged 10 points and 2.3 rebounds.   EJ Walker (6-7, 253, FR): Physically very strong but lacks height to play inside in the SEC. Averaged 2.9 points and 2.7 rebounds.

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Gator Bait Media was launched in 2019 when famed sports writer Buddy Martin along with Franz Beard launched Gatorbaitmedia.com. GatorBait Media, Florida Gator News where you want it, when you want it. Hello, I’m Buddy Martin, editor and publisher of the new Gator Bait Magazine. And I am beginning to feel like I just walked on the set of Ground Hog Day Starring Bill Murray as part of the new ownership group for the new GatorBait2019 effective July 10, 2019. Here I come again, boomeranging right back where I started from! Another fork in the road back toward the University of Florida, where I was educated, met my wife, became one of those Boys From Old Florida and wound up in journalism. Maybe it was in my blood. I recently found out that my late grandfather, preacher-writer William Laban Martin, actually owned and operated The Gainesville Elevator newspaper in the early 1900s. Great name, The Gainesville Elevator. As most Gator fans know, it’s an up-and-down world. Right now with Dan Mullen and Mike White & Company, things appear to be going up. Gator Bait TV executive producer/director son Brenden is my co-owner/partner, so this is very much a family deal. We Martin Boys have ridden down this dusty trail before. Brenden likes to say, “We know what NOT to do, because we’ve already failed at it several times.” Stay tuned for more exciting plans with the debut soon of GatorBait Plus and GatorBait Gold, which will soon merge with the #BuddyMartinShow on Facebook Live streaming where all our member/friend loyalists at #GatorNationKingdom hang out. And while I’m at it, I want to thank members of our GatorBait Lighthouse project for stepping up to support this project before it was even completed. I am honored to be taking the reins of this iconic 40-year-old publication founded by David Stirt and, operated for many years by Landmark Publications, with Marty Cohen and my good friend Zach Abolverdi at the helm. We want to hear from you. If you need to reach me or one of our staff please feel free to reach out to the GatorBait Media Team. Buddy Martin Editor-in-Chief/GatorBait CEO Buddy Martin GatorBait Media Staff Owner/Executive Producer GatorBait Media & GatorBait TV Brenden Martin Columnist GatorBait Media Franz Beard