College Basketball Countdown: Florida Gators- #6

College basketball is right around the corner. Games will be starting before you know it, and practices are just right around the corner.

Here at Roundballchat I will release my top 100 teams for the 2012-13 college basketball season. I will start at 100 and count my way down. I will rank all the 75 programs in the six major conferences, as well as 25 mid majors in my top 100 countdown.

Along with my top 100 countdown I will also feature a ton of previews. Like the top players at each position, All Conference teams, top players by class, top games, previewing the early season tournaments and much more.

Who will put at number 1? Louisville or Indiana or maybe a surprise stay tuned to Roundballchat for the next month to find out.

# 6 Florida

Coach: Billy Donovan (16 seasons at Florida 386-158) Overall 421-178, 18 years

2011-12: Record 26-11 overall, 10-6 in SEC (Tie/2nd)

Starters Returning (3) Kenny Boynton, Patric Young, Erik Murphy

Preseason Tournament: Global Sports

Top Non-Conference Games: vs. Georgetown, vs. Marquette, vs. Wisconsin, at Arizona, vs. Kansas State, at Florida State

Transfer Out: Walter Pitchford (Nebraska)

Transfer In : Damontre Harris (South Carolina), Dorian Finney-Smith (Virginia Tech)

Early Departure: Bradley Beal

The Gators had an up and down regular season last year but turned it on at the end of the season and were 4 points away from the final four. The Gators have reached the elite 8 the last two seasons. The Gators do lose 2 of their top 3 scorers but they got news when 2 players decided to come back to school. The Gators bring back 3 starters and all their key reversed; they also bring in a solid recruiting class. Donovan has coached 14 consecutive 20 win seasons.

Leading the way for the Gators will be guard Kenny Boynton (15.9 ppg), who turned down the NBA. Boynton is the returning leader scorer in the SEC. Boynton is just a flat our scorer. He is a great athlete that can drive to the hole and shoot the three. Last season he made 110 threes while shooting 41 %. Don’t be shocked to see Boynton running the point at times he was second on the team in assists last season. Joining him in the backcourt will be former Rutgers transfer Mike Rosario (6.6 ppg). Rosario is ready for a bigger role this season after coming off the bench last year. He should average in double figures this season because he cans score in a variety of ways. Look for Scottie Wibekin (2.2 ppg) to start at point guard for the Gators. He has been the backup point guard the last two seasons. He is a good three pointer shooter shooting 46 % from three last season. The depth here will be inexperienced but talented. Freshman Braxton Ogbueze, Michael Fraizier and Dillion Graham will provide the depth. Ogbueze is a top 50 recruit that should see plenty time at the point this season.

The Gators will have a strong frontcourt led by Patric Young (10.2 ppg), who also turned down the NBA. Young is a physical specimen for the Gators in the paint. He is extremely athletic and a dominant rebounder. He can finish around the basket as he shoot 62 % from the field. Joining him in the frontcourt is Erik Murphy (10.5 ppg). Murphy biggest strength is his shooting ability. He shoot 42 % from three last season. He is extremely skilled for a big; he got a lot tougher last season improving his rebounding. He also led the team in blocked shots. The top option off the bench will be Will Yeguete (4.4 ppg). He is a tough rebounder. Also adding quality depth are Cody Larson (.5 ppg), Casey Prather (2 ppg) and freshman DaVon Walker. This unit will get better next season with the addition of two transfers that are sitting out this season.

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