No. 20 Florida Upset By Jacksonville

        No, you're not reading the title incorrectly. Struck by a hangover effect from knocking off Kansas State less than 24 hours before and just hours after the Associated Press and Coaches' Polls were released with the Gators climbing back up, Florida fell to the Jacksonville Dolphins 71-68 in overtime.

        With an early-season shellacking courtesy of Ohio State at home and then dropping to the rising-UCF Knights on the road, Florida lost to their second in-state foe; not Florida State. Not Miami. Not even South Florida. At the hands of Jacksonville, the Gators suffer their third loss of the season, likely pushing them out of our Top 25.

        Although the Dolphins deserve some credit. They scored 71 points and turned the ball over just 13 times against a Florida team that held Kansas State in check the day prior. Florida too contributed to the loss by taking more than their fair-share, although its now becoming a regular habit of Billy Donovan's guards, of poor shots; the Gators shot under 36% from the floor, including just 3-of-14 from behind the arc. On the season, they are shooting only .317 from 3-point range- 244th in the country.

        Excuses aren't necessary here. This is a veteran team with five starters returning from an NCAA Tournament appearance; their head coach has two championship rings. Settling/forcing those shots should not be an issue at this point in time. Mentally collapsing for the entire course of a game should not occur. A home game against the Jacksonville Dolphins should not be a problem. Talent should have prevailed as the Gators are inexcusably more talented than Jacksonville, which tells me Florida has issues.

        With a win over Radford in two days at home, Florida can move on, but there will still certainly be questions lingering about this Gators team. And then again, its probably too early to discount Radford.


By President Corey Ruff - 12-20-10