Coach Amanda Butler had a message for her team during its first offseason meeting last week: The best fruit ripens slowly.
In a season marred by injury and inexperience, the Gators took a step backward in 2012-13. After earning a trip to the NCAA Tournament a year prior, Florida finished 22-15 and tied for eighth in the Southeastern Conference.
Despite the subpar season, Butler is confident in the shape of the program.
“That’s what we want from this group is the best fruit,” Butler said. “There’s a lot of excitement, a lot of things we have to look forward to.”
The difference between the offseason that awaits this team and the one it experienced prior to the season is staggering.
Florida was tasked with replacing six seniors from the 2011-12 squad that battled top-seeded Baylor in the second round of the Big Dance. Only 35.1 percent of the offense returned from that group.
But the Gators will return four of their five regular starters next season, as well as 85.3 percent of their scoring. Jennifer George is the only player the Gators will lose.
“There’s a lot of teams in the SEC that are losing veteran players,” redshirt freshman Carlie Needles said. “We have to take everything that we had last year and build on that because we are going to be really dangerous this next year and the years to come.”
Florida has not been ranked since the final poll was released in 2008-09. But the Gators have the pieces in place to snap that skid next season.
“There’s already a good energy around this team that is really fueled by our high expectations,” Butler said. “They know they have a lot to build on.”
Williams confident: Ronni Williams, the first Gator signee to be selected to the McDonald’s All-American High School Game, finished with one point, three rebounds, a block and two steals during the contest, which was held in the United Center in Chicago on April 3.
Butler said she texted Williams on Monday morning to encourage her to begin preparing for the daily grind that she will face at UF. Williams’ response was brief: ‘I’m ready.’
“She’s got the mentality of a champion and someone that wants to make history,” Butler said, “and that’s why it’s a special match with us because that’s what we’re pursuing: being better than we’ve ever been.”
Butler doubtful about Griner in the NBA: Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban raised eyebrows earlier this month by saying he would consider drafting Baylor center Brittney Griner in the second round of the NBA draft.
The comment has since drawn criticism from multiple outlets, including Connecticut coach Geno Auriemma. Butler was equally against Griner entertaining the idea of playing in the NBA.
“I think it’s silly,” Butler said. “That’s no slap against Brittney. She’s a great player, and she certainly has brought a level of attention to our game that we needed. We need players like that.”
Griner faced the Gators once during her career, scoring 25 points — including one dunk — while collecting nine rebounds and six blocks in Baylor’s 76-57 victory in the second round of the 2012 NCAA Tournament.
Contact Phil Heilman at pheilman@alligator.org.
Guard Carlie Needles shoots during Florida's 69-58 loss to Arkansas on Feb. 28 in the O'Connell Center. Needles hit 34.1 percent of her three-point shots last season.
