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Donovan, Gators Set For Familiar Face With UCF
Wednesday 12-01-2010 4:27pm ET

By SCOTT CARTER
GatorZone.com Senior Writer

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The day Billy Donovan showed up for his first day at work, Donnie Jones could have walked by in the hallway and Donovan would not have known.

The two had spoken on the phone, but that was the extent of their relationship when Donovan took over the Marshall program in 1994. Donovan was a hot-shot assistant at Kentucky taking over his first program. They mostly called him Billy the Kid back then.

Jones was an unknown, having spent the previous four years at Marshall, two as a graduate assistant and two as a full-time assistant. Soon, Donovan realized that Jones was his kind of guy.

“He was the one that really kept everything intact,’’ Donovan said Tuesday. “Really for about a three- or four-week period, Donnie was unbelievable. Any time I had a question or needed an answer … he knew everything that was going on.’’

Donovan knew that Anthony Grant and John Pelphrey were joining his staff at Marshall, but he offered another colleague at Kentucky a chance to join him as well. That would likely mean saying goodbye to Jones.



Donovan looked back with a smile.

“Probably the best thing that happened for me was that that guy turned down the job,’’ he said.

Jones spent two years on Donovan’s staff at Marshall, and when Donovan was hired at Florida in 1996, Jones came with him. Jones spent 11 years with Donovan in Gainesville before leaving after the 2007 season to return to Marshall as head coach.

The two square off as opposing head coaches for the first time on Wednesday night in Orlando when the Gators face UCF at Amway Arena in the Florida Citrus Sports Shootout. In Jones’ first season at UCF, the Knights are 5-0 including a win over USF.

Donovan will look down the bench and be reminded of a lot of good memories, including the ribbing he used to give Jones for wearing the same two suits so often during their early days together at Marshall. Since those days, both have come a long way in the coaching profession, highlighted by winning back-to-back national titles with the Gators in 2006 and 2007.

“I feel like I’m getting old,’’ Donovan said. “There is a lot of substance to him. Coming here, I had all the confidence in the world in him. He played a big part in us winning two national championships and getting to three championship games.’’

Jones and Donovan remain close.

When Jones was contemplating leaving Marshall after three seasons and returning to Florida to take over the UCF program – both Marshall and UCF are Conference USA schools – he called Donovan for advice.

Jones decided moving to Orlando was the best move, and he is thankful that Donovan agreed to play the Knights on Wednesday in the first college basketball game in the new home of the Orlando Magic. Donovan spent a day with Jones earlier this year, taking a tour of UCF’s facilities and catching up with his old friend.

However, Jones won’t be calling Donovan for any suggestions this week.

“I can’t call and ask advice on this game because I know he won’t give me the right advice,’’ Jones said Tuesday. “But he’s always there for me. He is still a mentor and a great friend.’’

Jones was hired March 29 to replace Kirk Speraw, who led UCF to 279 wins and four NCAA Tournament appearances in 17 seasons. However, after building a new on-campus arena and practice facility in 2007, the school decided to go in another direction following a 15-17 season.

Jones sees a lot of similarities in his new job that he saw at Florida when Donovan took over the program nearly 15 years ago. He hopes he can have the same success at UCF and views a chance to face Florida so early in his tenure as a boost.

“We are obviously trying to rebuild our program here and I think that any time you’ve got a chance to play on a national stage against a great program like Florida and a great coach like Billy, I think it’s good for your team,’’ Jones said. “To have an opportunity to play them here in your backyard, in front of your fans, I think it’s just an incredible opportunity for us.’’

Gators senior forward Chandler Parsons remains close with Jones. Parsons grew up in the Orlando area and spent a lot of time last summer working out at UCF. He got to know the players and let them know what kind of coach they were getting.

“I love him. That was my guy,’’ Parsons said. “He was one of the main guys who recruited me when he was here. It was tough that I didn’t play for him, but I’m glad he’s doing well. He’s always there for me.’’

Jones and Donovan will have another memory to add to their collection after the game. During the game, it will be another story between the two highly competitive friends.

“You hear of siblings having an incredible rivalry and competitiveness growing up,’’ Donovan said. “I think it’s healthy sometimes. It’s not a bad thing. You just hate when you walk off the court that somebody’s has got to lose because you know what kind of guy he is and how hard he works.’’

Jones agrees.

“It’s fun [playing him] before the game and after the game, but it’s not fun when you actually play the game,’’ Jones said. “My philosophy has been influenced by Coach Donovan, and we’re trying to teach that here. Five games into a season, it’s all new to our players still. Billy has been teaching that system for a long time.

“It’s going to be a great challenge for us.’’

Donovan To St. John's, Fat Chance
Monday 03-22-2010 2:45pm ET


By LENN ROBBINS  nypost.com

BUFFALO -- It seemed like a pipe dream, and at the end of the day Florida coach Billy Donovan almost surely will opt to keep the idyllic lifestyle and exceptional job he has in Gainesville.


But at least the former Providence star from Long Island has listened to the possibility of becoming the next St. John's coach.


Sources told The Post that Donovan talked to a St. John's supporter late Friday and was intrigued by what he heard. Whether it's enough to lure Billy the Kid away from his $3.5 million job at Florida, where he's won two national titles, remains to be seen.


"I am very happy here, and we have a very good team coming back next season," Donovan told the Post in a text message. "St. John's has a great tradition, and I have great respect for that program."


Before St. John's fans start planning their first NCAA tournament party appearance since 2002, consider this: Donovan was breaking down film of his team's first-round NCAA tournament loss to BYU and working on his recruiting plan at his Florida vacation home when he took the call.


St. John's athletic director Chris Monasch said Monday when the university fired Norm Roberts that he would not contact any potential candidate if the candidate's team was still involved in postseason play.


Because the contact with Donovan was not initiated by an employee of St. John's, Monasch has contacted Gators athletic director Jeremy Foley to receive permission to contact Donovan directly.


If Donovan elects to remain at Florida, where he has established a basketball tradition at a football school, St. John's likely will turn its attention to Georgia Tech's Paul Hewitt, Virginia Tech's Seth Greenberg and Hofstra's Tom Pecora.


Hewitt has his Ramblin' Wreck in the NCAA tournament. Greenberg has the Hokies in the NIT. Tech athletic director Jim Weaver told The Post he had not been contacted by St. John's.


As reported exclusively in The Post, St. John's has been working to put together a multi-year deal that would pay about $1.6 million annually. However, a source with knowledge of the finances cautioned that those numbers are not etched in stone.


For a coach of Donovan's status, the numbers could go higher. Because the money mostly will come from the private sector, it will not interfere with university's mission of developing a campus for a national student body.

Was the Season a success, What about next year?
Friday 03-19-2010 3:05pm ET




*****start poll*****
Poll: Was The 2010 Gator Basketball Season A Success?
*****end poll*****





*****start poll*****
Poll: What Are Your Expectations For The Gator Basketball Team Next Year
*****end poll*****
Gators Lose In Double OT
Friday 03-19-2010 2:33pm ET



Associated Press

OKLAHOMA CITY -- When Jimmer Fredette planted a seed with Florida's Chandler Parsons before their NCAA tournament game, he couldn't have known it would sound prophetic.


The BYU star told Parsons, the only Gators player to ever hit two true buzzer-beaters to clinch victories, "no game winning shots tonight."

Fredette went on to score 37 points and hit two 3-pointers in double overtime to seal the Cougars' 99-92 win over 10th-seeded Florida on Thursday, the first time they've reached the second round of the tournament in 17 years.


Parsons, meanwhile, missed potential game-winners at the end of regulation and the first overtime, and Fredette didn't let Florida get another chance for a dramatic finish.


"We had a second life, or a third life, or whatever it was, and I just wanted to go out there and try to get it done because I don't know if I could have played another overtime," said
Fredette, the nation's 12th-leading scorer.


Fredette made a 3-pointer from the top of the key to put seventh-seeded BYU (30-5) ahead 90-83 with 2:42 left, then added another from the right wing with just over a minute remaining to put the game away.


Fredette surpassed the 30-point plateau for the eighth time this season and the third straight game, coming off 45- and 30-point performances in the Mountain West tournament.


Michael Loyd Jr. added a career-high 26 points, pushing BYU to a lead it would hold until a late second-half rally by Florida. Loyd also scored all six of the Cougars' points in the first overtime and hit a 3-pointer to start the second overtime that put BYU ahead to stay.


"He was ready and his number was called and he came through for us," coach Dave Rose said of Loyd, who had been averaging 4.6 points and reached double figures just five times.


Kenny Boynton scored 27 points for the Gators (21-13), helping to rally them from a 13-point second-half deficit in their first NCAA tournament game since winning back-to-back national titles in 2006 and 2007.


BYU snapped a streak of seven straight first-round losses in the tournament while ending Florida's 12-game NCAA winning streak. It's the Cougars' first win since 1993, and they haven't gone farther since 1981, when Danny Ainge was on the team.


"This was a long time in coming for our program, and it's a big win," said Rose, who was successfully treated for pancreatic cancer last June. "One of the most important goals we had at the start of this season was to get into this tournament and advance, and we're advancing. I'm proud of our guys."


Boynton rallied the Gators in the second half with a series of four 3-pointers, the last one putting Florida ahead 71-68 with 2:36 left in regulation -- their first lead of the second half.


After Vernon Macklin missed one of two free throws in the final minute, Fredette was able to tie it at 75 on a layup with 25.3 seconds left.


Parsons missed a jumper from the right side of the lane in the closing seconds, and Jonathan Tavernari missed the backboard entirely with a heave from beyond halfcourt after the Cougars called timeout with half a second left in regulation.


Parsons also missed a 3 in the last minute of the first overtime and Dan Werner missing an awkward volleyball-style tap off a busted play after Fredette had dribbled into Boynton's hands.


"You can't complain about the looks we got at the end," said Parsons, who hit game-winners at the final buzzer against North Carolina State and South Carolina earlier this season. "We fought hard, everyone was tired but they were just as tired as us."


Parsons finished with 20 points and 10 rebounds, Macklin scored 16 and Erving Walker added 12 points. Florida's hopes fizzled after Boynton fouled out after Loyd's 3-pointer to open the second overtime.


"That was a big play in the game when he fouled out and they had to play down the stretch without him because he was hitting 3s, he was penetrating to the basket, making free throws, and he was a heck of a defender," Rose said.


Rose was able to steal some quick rest for Fredette down the stretch, substituting for him when the Cougars went on defense. The few extra gasps helped, and Fredette felt a rush of adrenaline entering the second overtime after BYU had dodged elimination again and again.


BYU, the nation's third-best 3-point shooting team, was 3-for-3 from behind the arc in double overtime, with Fredette stopping after his second in a row to gesture to a pack of Cougars fans gathered behind the BYU bench. He clenched his left fist as he dribbled the ball upcourt to run out the final seconds.


"You're playing for your life," he said. "It's one and done at this point."



Gators Are Dancing Again!
Monday 03-15-2010 2:04pm ET
By Kevin Brockway
Staff writer  gatorsports.com




It took a miraculous 75-foot shot, some stunning November upsets and some nail-biting wins in Southeastern Conference play.


But Florida is back in the NCAA Tournament after a two-season absence. The Gators received a surprisingly high No. 10 seed in the West Region and will face No. 7 seed BYU on Thursday in Oklahoma City, Okla.


"We're very, very excited and grateful for the opportunity," Florida coach Billy Donovan said. "I'm more excited for our players having a chance to experience this, for most of them this is something they haven't been through yet. They've worked so hard from day one, and it's great to see them rewarded."


It's been a long road back. After winning the 2007 national title, Florida brought in the nation's top-rated recruiting class and was expected to continue its string of nine straight NCAA Tournament appearances. But the Gators stumbled down the stretch in both the 2008 and 2009 seasons, resulting in back-to-back NIT appearances.


Florida (21-12) will be making its 15th NCAA Tournament appearance in school history and 10th under Donovan.


"It was a stressful 48 hours not knowing if we were in or out," Florida junior forward Chandler Parsons said. "We're really excited to be a part of it. For most of us, it's our first experience with the NCAA Tournament. We just don't want to go and play one game, we want to prove we're deserving of being there."

 
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