1 » When former Florida Gators assistant Anthony Grant left the program a few years ago to take over the Virginia Commonwealth Rams, head coach Billy Donovan wished him luck. When Donovan left the team after the 2007 National Championship game, Grant’s name was the first called by Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley to replace the long-time head coach. However, a change of heart by Donovan thurst Grant back to VCU, where he would eventually be tabbed as head coach by the Alabama Crimson Tide. Mentor and assistant will square-off for the first time Thursday in Tuscaloosa, AL. “You never like to play against one of your friends, but Anthony and I have a great relationship,” Donovan said.

2 » Speaking of Donovan, his frontcourt players from those championship seasons (and even the year after) have been experiencing a lot of success in the NBA recently. Philadelphia 76ers center Marreese Speights spoke with the Philadelphia Daily News about how genuinely happy he is that former teammate and now Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah is finding success in the pros. “He and a lot of the other guys were really good at watching out for me when I first got to Florida,” Speights said. “That meant a lot. It’s good to see him doing so well in the league, but it’s not surprising. He always has had a great work ethic, trying to improve his game in every way. He improved a lot in college, from not playing a lot as a freshman to becoming someone who could have been taken with the first overall pick.”

There are four more BITS waiting for you after the jump!
Continue Reading » SIX BITS: Grant, Speights, Tebow, Easley, honors

Tags: Alabama Crimson Tide, Allie Will, Anthony Grant, Billy Donovan, Chicago Bulls, Dominique Easley, field, Jacksonville Jaguars, Jeremy Foley, Jeremy Postin, Joakim Noah, Marreese Speights, NBA, NFL, Philadelphia 76ers, SEC, Shara Proctor, Tim Tebow, track, Uche Nwaneri, Virginia Commonwealth Rams

1 » No. 10 Florida Gators soccer (13-4-2, 7-1-2 SEC) will host SEC East rival No. 13 South Carolina Gamecocks (15-2-1, 7-2-1 SEC) this Friday night at 6 p.m. at James G. Pressly Stadium. The Gators, with 23 points, currently lead the SEC and can take home the regular season title with a win Friday night. If you are in Gainesville, FL, be sure to go out and support them! Admission is FREE!

2 » Wednesday, OGGOA profiled nine former Gators basketball players who are looking to make an impact in the NBA this season. The fun got started last night when Atlanta Hawks F/C Al Horford went off for 24 points and 16 rebounds, New York Knicks F/C David Lee added 22 points and nine rebounds of his own and Philadelphia 76ers F/C Marreese Speights was good for a dominant 26-point effort and Orlando Magic PG Jason Williams had 15 points in a reserve role.

Extra BIT » Florida basketball was listed as unranked in the preseason USA Today/ESPN Coaches Top 25 poll, receiving only 13 total votes. OGGOA will have the Gators’ basketball schedule and standings up in the right column when the season begins.

Tags: Al Horford, Atlanta Hawks, David Lee, James G. Pressly Stadium, Jason Williams, Marreese Speights, NBA, New York Knicks, Orlando Magic, Philadelphia 76ers, SEC, soccer, South Carolina Gamecocks

The 2009 NBA season tipped off Tuesday night, and nine former Florida Gators standouts look to make an impact in the league this year. Some won National Championships while in the Orange & Blue, others went undrafted – all want to prove that the Gators program can produce legitimate NBA stars.

Al Horford, F/C, Atlanta Hawks
2008 – Averaged 11.5 points on 0.525 shooting in 33.5 minutes. Also contributed 9.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.4 blocks. Led his team to the second round of the 2009 NBA Playoffs, where they were swept by the Cleveland Cavaliers.
2009 – While still young, The Godfather is becoming the leader, heart and soul of the Hawks. Horford tweaked his ankle this week and is probable to play Wednesday night in the team’s season opener.

David Lee, F/C, New York Knicks
2008 – Averaged a double-double with 16 points on 0.549 shooting and 11.7 rebounds in 34.9 minutes. First Knicks player since Patrick Ewing with 30 points and 20 rebounds in a game; 11th Knick to score 10 consecutive double-doubles.
2009 – Looking for a big money five- or six-year deal in the offseason, Lee signed a one-year $7 million contract with the Knicks. He will start at center and remains the most popular player in the city.

Seven more former Gators profiled after the jump…
Continue Reading » Gators look to make impact as NBA season begins

Tags: Al Horford, Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Corey Brewer, Dallas Mavericks, David Lee, Jason Williams, Joakim Noah, Marreese Speights, Matt Bonner, Miami Heat, Mike Miller, Minnesota Timberwolves, National Championship, NBA, New York Knicks, Orlando Magic, Philadelphia 76ers, San Antonio Spurs, Udonis Haslem, Washington Wizards

1 » Florida Gators sophomore cornerback Janoris Jenkins knows he played terrible Saturday against the Arkansas Razorbacks. Yes, he let wide receiver Greg Childs amass 135 yards on him including a 75-yard touchdown. But that was also the worst game he’s had his entire Florida career, and he is confident that he will be able to rebound. “[Janoris] told me that was one of the worst games he ever had in his life,” running mate Joe Haden said. “I told him, ‘Don’t worry about it.’” Jenkins had 39 tackles and three interceptions his freshman season and has already followed that up with 37 tackles and two more receptions so far in 2009. “[Janoris] knows it’s a whole new week, and you can expect a real good game out of him,” Haden said.

2 » Fifth-year senior safety Dorian Munroe, after sitting out the entire 2008 season with a torn ACL, was expected to return to the Gators two weeks ago when the team visited Baton Rouge, LA, to take on the LSU Tigers. Unfortunately, Munroe injured his meniscus during the preseason and has been forced to miss additional time. Joseph Goodman of the Miami Herald inquired about Munroe’s status and was told by Haden that he was “walking around” at practice on Tuesday. Goodman believes Munroe may be able to resume playing against the Georgia Bulldogs in two weeks.

Continue Reading » FOUR BITS: Jenkins takes blame; Munroe still out; Patterson speaks on UF; Grant on Donovan

Tags: Alabama Crimson Tide, Anthony Grant, Arkansas Razorbacks, Billy Donovan, Dorian Munroe, Draft, Georgia Bulldogs, Greg Childs, Janoris Jenkins, Joe Haden, Kentucky Wildcats, LSU Tigers, Marreese Speights, NBA, Orlando Magic, Patrick Patterson, Philadelphia 76ers, Virginia Commonwealth