Sticks of Fire: a Tampa blog

UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
The Gators lost their Oh-Fours to the NBA draft but they still have the most talented team in the state. In addition to one of the best recruiting classes in the country head-lined by Jai Lucas and Nick Calathes the Gators return bigman Marreese Speights and guard Walter Hodge. More importantly, the Gators return Billy Donovan despite his flirtations with the Orlando Magic. When Billy the Kid first came to Florida he ran an up temp attack while giving up to ten players significant minutes. For the last two years Donovan has played fewer players (seven last year) significant minutes but that will likely change this year as nine players will get a good deal of playing time. Either way the Gators will have one of the better offenses in the country.

KEY PLAYER: Center Marreese Speights
FINAL RECORD: 27-7
CONFERENCE RANK: #5
#7 seed in NCAA Tournament

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA

There is a sizable drop off after the Gators in the Sunshine State, although the Bulls are early favorites for the #2 spot based on their win over Florida State. Considering the options available to them Stan Heath was a great hire at head coach. During Heath’s time at Arkansas he made the NCAA Tournament each of the last two years and has proven to be a successful recruiter. The Bulls will sorely need Heath’s recruiting prowess as they have still not caught up to the rest of the Big East in terms of talent. While center Kentrell Gransberry should have an excellent season and could even win all Big East honors the Bulls have yet to find guards to match Gransberry’s talent.

KEY PLAYER: Kentrell Gransberry
FINAL RECORD: 13-18
CONFERENCE RECORD: #14 (out of 16)
No Soup For You

FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY
The Nole’s have the reverse problem that the Bulls have, they have an experienced back court but a young front court. The Noles are starting two seniors and a junior at guard, and coach Leonard Hamilton will depend heavily on the guard trio of Isaiah Swann, Toney Douglas, and Jason Rich to save his job. For the past two seasons FSU has narrowly missed the playoffs despite having one of the best players in the country in Al Thornton. This season FSU’s success in the ACC will depend heavily on how well 7′ 11” freshman center Solomon Alabi plays.

KEY PLAYER: Isaiah Swann
FINAL RECORD: 16-16
CONFERENCE RANK: #9
No Soup For You

UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI
The biggest development for the Canes wasn’t the addition of freshman point guard Edwin Rios, but instead that students are encouraged to attend in bikinis. In addition to encouraging students to come to games in beach wear Miami will add a hot tub, sand pit and a life guard in the student section in a desperate effort to increase student attendance. If the Canes really want to increase attendance at games they should just win a few more times. To do that they will need to find a point guard after Denis Clemente transferred to Kansas State. Other than point guard though the Canes look set at every other position and should be more competitive this season.

KEY PLAYER: Jack McClinton
FINAL RECORD: 16-14
CONFERENCE RANK: #8
NIT Bound

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