Florida Basketball Hour

Eric Fawcett (Gator Country) and Neil W. Blackmon (Saturday Down South) break down the Gators victories at the Rocket Mortgage Fort Myers Tip-Off Classic. How the Gators erased a 10 point second half deficit to win the tournament, and why the Ohio State win will age well. The guys also break down the final segment of the game, and defend the decision not to call timeout before the Appleby game winner.

The guys also recap Florida's big win over Troy on Sunday. Why Florida's defensive intensity for 40 minutes impressed, and how Florida can keep using these buy games to get important long term pieces like Kowacie Reeves, Elijah Kennedy, and Niels Lane comfortable. 

Finally, a big preview of Florida's Wednesday night game at Oklahoma (8 PM, Bally Sports). Eric Fawcett on why Porter Moser is one of the best in the business; Neil W. Blackmon on Oklahoma's challenging guards; and why the frontcourt advantage for Florida may tell the tale. 

Eric Fawcett (Gator Country) and Neil W. Blackmon (Saturday Down South) break down Florida's 81-45 rout of Milwaukee. Why Florida was so disruptive defensively, how Florida's offensive balance helps the Gators overcome tough shooting nights from some of its guards, and vital improvements from CJ Felder and Phlandrous Fleming Jr. The guys also discuss why it is time to be concerned about Jason Jitoboh, and Eric breaks down his concerns with Florida's pick and roll defense. 

At minute 25, the guys begin a breakdown of the Rocket City Mortgage Fort Myers Tip-Off Classic, featuring the Gators, Cal, Seton Hall and Ohio State. The guys discuss Florida's matchup with Cal first, and then preview potential games with Ohio State and Seton Hall. Why Ohio State is good, Cal is not, and why playing a tough, old team like Seton Hall would be like looking in the mirror.

Neil W. Blackmon (Saturday Down South) and Eric Fawcett (Gator Country) break down Florida's 71-55 win over No. 20 Florida State. How the Gators stymied FSU defensively, and why their new 5 out offense was efficient enough to win. Other topics include: Colin Castleton's big game, two program changing plays by Anthony Duruji, and Leonard Hamilton giving full credit to Mike White's game plan. The guys also discuss how this win can be a springboard for Florida's season.

Finally, a big preview (minute 40) of Florida's home tilt Thursday night against Milwaukee, who are led by top 5 recruit and future lottery pick Patrick Baldwin Jr. The guys discuss why Baldwin Jr. is so good, how Florida might guard him, and what the Gators need to do to avoid a letdown. 

Neil W. Blackmon (Saturday Down South) and Eric Fawcett (Gator Country) break down Florida's season opening win over the Elon Phoenix. Why the offense was so encouraging, why Colin Castleton's performance was refreshing and why the guys are still worried about Florida's ball screen defense. 

Plus-- a big preview of the Gators game on Sunday against No. 20 FSU. Is this the season Mike White and Florida end the program's 7 year losing streak to the rival Noles? Why FSU is such a tough matchup for most everyone in college basketball, why this year could be different, and why the key number will be 10-15 turnovers. The guys break down the game- and a FSU roster that has had as much turnover as anyone in America.

Eric Fawcett (Gator Country) and Neil W. Blackmon (Saturday Down South) combine to go back and forth with predictions for the upcoming Florida basketball season, which begins Tuesday night against Elon. Topics include: who will be Florida's leading scorer, who will be Florida's best defender, which super freshman on Florida's schedule has the biggest game against the Gators, NCAA Tournament hopes, SEC finish and much, much more. 

Mark Wise (ESPN/SEC Network), former analyst for the Florida Basketball Radio Network, joins the show this week for a conversation about the 2021-2022 Gators, where he sees the Florida program under Mike White, and why Florida's commitment to being an elite defense may pay dividends this season. Mark Wise also discusses how Florida's transfers will blend and why this should be one of White's most balanced teams.

Plus, notes and thoughts from Neil W. Blackmon (Saturday Down South) on Florida's exhibition win over Embry-Riddle. 

Eric Fawcett (Gator Country) and Neil W. Blackmon (Saturday Down South) continue their season preview of Florida basketball with a look at the rest of the Gators roster. Players discussed include Philandrous Fleming, CJ Felder, Kowacie Reeves and Jason Jitoboh. Plus, why walk-ons Jack May and Alex Klatsky are special kids, and why Florida's rotation might be longer this year than in season's past. 

The guys also drop a recruiting update in late in the show, with upcoming commitments scheduled from targets Noah Clowney and Chance Westry. 

Eric Fawcett (Gator Country) joins Neil W. Blackmon (Saturday Down South) to begin their 2 part preview of Florida's 2021-2022 season. In this episode, the guys discuss transfer guards Brandon McKissic and Myreon Jones, who offer experience and leadership to a program that has been so young the past 2 seasons. Plus, what's the ceiling for 1st Team All-SEC center Colin Castleton? And how can he build on a big 2020-21 season? Other players discussed are Niels Lane, Anthony Duruji and freshman Elijah Kennedy. 

Plus, a breakdown of why the addition of Erik Pastrana is so exciting for the Florida program, both from a scheme and recruiting standpoint. 

Neil W. Blackmon (Saturday Down South) and Eric Fawcett (Gator Country) discuss the opening weeks of Florida's fall basketball camp. Topics include who has impressed, who is the most improved, and which of Florida's four transfers will make a huge impact. Plus, the guys discuss whether "getting old and staying old" will continue to be a viable recruiting and program building strategy in the age of the transfer portal. 

Plus, the guys break down the commitment of PG Denzel Aberdeen out of Orlando, and discuss Florida's chances with combo guard Chance Westry, a high four star out of Pennsylvania. 

Eric Fawcett (Gator Country) and Neil W. Blackmon (Saturday Down South) break down the commitment of Montverde forward Malik Reneau. Why landing a 5 star from the 305 is such a big deal for Mike White and this staff, and how Reneau can be the building block to a monster class. Plus, all your listener questions, including:

- Breaking down the addition of JUCO big man Tuongthach Gatkek;

- a Dream recruiting class for 2022

- Expected starters and rotation for 2021-22

- Which Gators will dominate "name, image and likeness" 

- the evolution of Jason Jitoboh

and much, much more.