8B
SPORTS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2006
NCAA BASKETBALL
University of Florida coach calls for better performance
Despite strong tournament showing, accomplishments, players accept criticism in working to improve standards
BY JENNA MARINA
INDEPENDENT FLORIDA ALLIGATOR
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Although the Gators reached the pinnacle of college basketball last season, UF coach Billy Donovan thinks his team didn't live up to its potential.
"I went back and watched a lot of the NCAA Tournament games, and you know what — we didn't play well," he said before Madness 2006. "If you looked totally at the scoreboard, we were a dominating team, but we really were not a dominating team if you looked at how we played."
Senior Lee Humphrey was not
surprised at his coach's point of view.
"That's kind of how I figured Coach would be, because even in our wins during the regular season, we always looked at film and where we could make improvements," Humphrey said. "I think Coach mentioned — when we were getting ready for the Canadian trip — that we made a lot of defensive mistakes that we could improve on. I think it's good that Coach looks at those things to make us a better team."
It's hard to imagine UF performing any better in the 2006 tournament.
The Gators held four of their six
NCAA opponents under 60 points and defeated teams by an average of 16 points per game.
Individual players achieved record-breaking accomplishments as well.
Then-sophomore Joakim Noah blocked an NCAA Tournament-record 29 shots, and Humphrey drained a UF NCAA Tournament-record 22 three-pointers.
Still, the players accept Donovan's take.
"Coach is always the type of guy that feels like we can get better at something," junior Al Horford said. "I think we played pretty well, but obviously you can always get better. You have to believe when he says that we can get better. You always got to stay on edge and try to work on something new."
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With that in mind, the team has endured daily two-a-days since its two-hour practice before Madness 2006 on Friday.
"Their energy, their focus, their competitiveness has been terrific," Donovan said. "We've got to do a little bit more fine-tuning on things. Because of the Canada trip, were further along in terms of what's been implemented."
Pinnacle Career Institute
While Donovan and the rest of the Gators have repeatedly said they do not want to look back on last season, they may be doing just that in the weeks to come.
"I'm going to show them film of the Villanova game and the George Mason game," Donovan said, "and say, 'You know what, this is us, and we can be better than we were'"
"Top of the Hill" Optometrist Office, Dr. Kevin Lenahan Optometrist and Associates, Get Help in a Big Way from One of KU's Own Chris Arnold.
Chris Arnold grew up in the Midwest. Dr. Arnold attended the University of Kansas where he received his undergraduate Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology. He then persued his optometry profession by attending the University of Missouri - St. Louis School of Optometry located in St. Louis, Missouri.
Dr. Arnold is currently a member of the American Optometric Association, as well as the Kansas Optometric Association. His special interests include ocular pathology, contact lenses, and pediatrics. Dr. Arnold practices in both the Lawrence and Topeka offices. He currently resides in Lawrence, Kansas, where he is an avid Jayhawk fan.
My favorite part about the optometry profession would be the day to day interaction with different individuals as well as being able to provide a service that will enrich one's life.
What is your favorite part about your profession?
What is your fondest KU memory?
Returning to Lawrence to watch the KU men's basketball team make its run at a National Championship in 2003. The atmosphere and energy in this town after each win was second to none.
What would you consider to be your greatest accomplishment? One of my most defining accomplishments is when I was inducted into Beta Sigma Kappa National Optometric Honor Society while obtaining my optometric degree at St. Louis.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Florida men's basketball coach Billy Donovan lets the crowd gathered at Midnight Madness in on the joke that the national championship trophy he had just dropped was a replica, Friday night in Galenville, Fla. The coach wants his team to improve its performance. ASSOCIATED PRESS
Eye on the ball
Jared Gab/KANSAN
Jared Gah/KANSAN Todd Brown, Shawne sophomore, hits the ball back for a point against his opponent, Adam Sparks, during a recreational match Tuesday afternoon. The two practice together as often as possible, but "as you can see, we not very good." Brown said.
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