Although Florida currently sits atop the Southeastern Conference standings, its players feel like underdogs.
The No. 24 Gators (15-4, 4-1 SEC) believe fans and the media have written them off after early losses and are looking to prove their doubters wrong as they travel to Athens to take on Georgia (14-4, 3-2 SEC) tonight at 7.
“We understand that we have no respect going into Georgia,” senior Chandler Parsons said Saturday. “Nobody gives us a chance to win.”
Although UF has returned to the national rankings and will face a team that is just 3-2 in conference play, the Gators see the Bulldogs as the heavy favorite entering the game.
Florida cites Georgia’s homecourt advantage as a cause for concern, even though Tennessee notched a win in Stegeman Coliseum just a week ago.
“I would say nobody gives us a chance to beat Georgia,” Parsons said. “I think everyone thinks they’re a better team. I think everyone thinks they’re very tough at home, which they are.”
When the Gators open the newspaper or turn on ESPN, they are consistently met with talk of their wild inconsistency rather than their first-place start.
They feel disrespected and overlooked, and the latest SEC predictions have left the Gators with chips on their shoulders.
“Just hearing people talk,” Boynton said. “We were probably watching the game, the SEC games, and the announcers are saying stuff like, ‘We picked Kentucky No. 1, Vanderbilt two and Georgia three.’ Not even mentioning us.
“Us being No. 1 in the league, it’s kind of crazy, but I guess we’ve been an up-and-down team, so that’s how people feel. So, we’re going to try to prove them wrong.”
If the Gators are looking for reassurance, they will find none from coach Billy Donovan, based on how he has spoken about the Bulldogs.
Three months ago, Donovan predicted Georgia would be the team to beat in the SEC.
Now, with the first five games of conference play in the books and Florida leading the SEC East, he still feels the Bulldogs are as strong as any team in the league.
“I am hard pressed to believe that they are unable to line up against any team in the country,” Donovan said. “If Georgia and (No. 1) Ohio State played a game on a neutral court, I think it would be an unbelievable game.”
At the SEC Men’s Basketball Media Day on Oct. 21, Donovan said he thought Georgia was “clearly” the best team in the conference.
Donovan’s primary argument was that the Bulldogs returned two preseason First-Team All-SEC players in Travis Leslie and projected SEC Player of the Year Trey Thompkins.
Although the Gators were picked to win the conference and have started on the right path towards that goal, Donovan is still wary of Georgia.
“They have the ability to be a great team,” Donovan said. “I don’t think there’s any question.”
Florida’s respect for Georgia and its feelings that it has been disrespected by the media have led to intense practices and a renewed focus.
“I think guys are going as hard as they can every day now,” freshman center Patric Young said. “That’s the effort coach wants from us.”
After weeks filled with unpredictability and varying energy levels, the Gators have a new excitement and anticipation they think can ensure a strong showing against the Bulldogs.
“We’re going into a hostile environment in Georgia playing a great team (on) national TV,” Parsons said. “I don’t know why guys wouldn’t be excited to play.”
GREG LUCA
