Florida Basketball Hour

The guys break down a disappointing Gators performance at Alabama. Why it was more about scheme and shot selection than toughness, and why Florida missed Keyontae so much. Plus, a lengthy preview of Florida’s home tilt vs rival Kentucky. How this chapter San end better than the last one against Big Blue...

The guys break down a strong ass Gator victory over LSU Saturday in Gainesville.  In a marvelous college basketball game, a breakdown of how Florida's stars came out to play in the absence of their biggest star. Why Colin Castleton has been so good, and did Michigan miss on him? Plus, what Florida did defensively to disrupt LSU in the second half. Plus, a closer look at Noah Locke's struggles earl...

Eric Fawcett (Gator Country) and Neil W. Blackmon (Saturday down South) on Florida's SEC opening win at Vanderbilt. Why the Gators commitment to inside-out offense worked, the value of the Florida bench, the growth of Scottie Lewis and a possible problem with pick and roll defense. Plus, the guys preview the SEC home opener against a strong ass LSU team, led by national freshmen of the year candid...

Eric Fawcett (Gator Country) and Neil W. Blackmon (Saturday down South) discuss Keyontae Johnson, who collapsed on the court early in Florida's game at Florida State this past weekend. What we know, why we trust only the updates we're getting officially, and the positive news Monday that Johnson is responding to simple commands.  The guys also discuss their favorite Keyontae moments as a Gator, wh...

Eric Fawcett (Gator Country) and Neil W. Blackmon (Saturday Down South) break down and preview Florida's upcoming trip to Tallahassee to take on No. 20 FSU. Can Mike White get his first win over FSU as head coach of the Gators and snap Florida's six game losing streak to the Noles in the process?  The guys discuss why this Florida State team will be outstanding despite the personnel changes. They'...

The guys break down Florida’s 2-0 trip to Bubbleville, which was a tale of two performances. Plus, a preview of Florida’s home opener against Stetson.

Eric Fawcett (Gator Country) and Neil W. Blackmon (Saturday Down South) on Florida's trip to Bubbleville, where the Gators will (finally) open the season after a COVID pause. The guys preview Florida's games against a suprising, unbeaten Army team out of the Patriot League and against Boston College from the ACC. What to expect from each opponent, and why each presents unique challenges. Plus, wha...

Neil W. Blackmon (Saturday Down South) and Eric Fawcett (Gator Country) team up to talk all things Gators Basketball.  On this episode, they continue their season preview with listener questions on issues ranging from the team's ceiling, go-to-players, defensive identity, pro comparisons for Scottie Lewis and Colin Castleton and questions about the Gator backcourt. The guys also discuss why a vers...

Eric Fawcett (Gator Country) and Neil W. Blackmon (Saturday down South) with an episode of over/under predictions on the 2020/21 season. Topics covered: starting PG, team 3P per game, who will be the second leading scorer, regular season record, and much more. Plus, your listener questions on everything from the starting frontcourt to who replaces Connecticut on the schedule. Finally, a "Coaches C...

Florida has opened its fall camp for the 2020-21 season. The guys discuss the season to come, with insight into early reports coming out of camp. Among the topics: - Great depth - The PG battle - What role for Tre Mann - Osayi Osifo's work ethic pushing Omar Payne - Florida's tempo commitment and more. Plus, a look at Florida's recruiting situation after Alex Fudge's commitment to LSU.  Finally, t...

The guys discuss Florida's fall camp and talk about the exciting growth of guard Tre Mann, among other Gators. Plus, a lengthy discussion about pace of play and tempo, and why this roster is suited for it offensively. Also, the national outlook on Scottie Lewis's sophomore ceiling is varied. The guys explain why that might be and what to expect from the sophomore, on and off the court.  Finally, a...

Neil W. Blackmon (Saturday down South) and Eric Fawcett (Gator Country dot com) are joined by Adam Spencer, the lead college basketball writer for Saturday down South, to talk all things SEC hoops. From hot seats to potential MTE bubbles to Feast Week to whether this is finally the year for Rick Barnes, this show has a little of everything. 

Neil W. Blackmon (Saturday Down South) and Eric Fawcett (Gator Country) team up to discuss whether "playing fast" also means Florida should ratchet up tempo defensively by consistently employing a press, as Mike White loved to do at Louisiana Tech. The guys discuss why the press is so sparingly a consistent defense at the Power 5 level. Plus, why FBH thinks the Gators can be vastly improved on def...

The guys are joined by Blake Lovell, the Godfather of SEC Basketball Coverage. Blake is putting together the always-essential Blue Ribbon College Basketball preview, but he stopped by to chat all things SEC basketball with us. While the show was recorded before Isaiah Joe's decision to leave Arkansas, we discussed a variety of topics, including: - How good can the Gators be? Is Mike White on the h...

Neil W. Blackmon (Saturday Down South) and Eric Fawcett (Gator Country) are joined by special guest Matt Wolff, who is set to host a Gator Great Alumni Game and weekend in 2021, when life (hopefully) returns to normal. Matt talks about why he wanted to put on a Gator Alumni game, many of the players he has committed to attend, and what the weekend will involve. Plus, he shares his fondest memories...

The guys are joined by the outstanding Jim Root, one member of the tremendous college basketball podcast 3 Man Weave. Jim joins and provides his insight into a variety of topics, from the outsider view of Florida's program under Mike White, to how UF will play next season offensively, to the emergent power that is the SEC and much more. Plus, a great back and forth on hot seats around college bask...

NBC Sports college hoops writer Rob Dauster joins the show to talk a number of topics in the sport as players return to campus. Among the topics: - Why are there so few black head coaches in the Power 6? Will John Calipari's support of the McClendon scholarship open the door for improvement? - Mike White: is the hot seat talk fair? Does Florida need a new identity? As good as Andrew Nembhard is, a...

The guys break down Florida's 2021 recruiting board, led by soon to be 5 star commit Kowacie Reeves Jr. They talk about how many scholarships Florida will have, who the Gators may target, and break down some of the individuals Florida has reached out to during the July live contact period. Plus, a sneak peak at a few of Florida's key 2022 targets, including 5 star Keyonte George out of Lewisville,...

With Florida's 2020-2021 Men's Basketball Roster set, the guys break down what to expect from Florida offensively. Will the Gators continue to build on Princeton offense concepts integrated into Mike White's system the past two seasons? With more athletes and creators-- will the Gators use more pick and roll and be better doing it? What rotations make sense? A deep coaches corner explores that dis...

David Waters (Gator Dave!), the host of the incredibly successful Florida Football podcast "Gators Breakdown" joins us to discuss Florida basketball, football, and life as an independent journalist and podcast host. Among the topics discussed: - How Dave started Gators Breakdown - The State of the Basketball Program: is apathy a problem in the fan base after a disappointing 2019-20? - How good can...

Neil W. Blackmon (Saturday Down South) and Eric Fawcett (Gator Country) break down the surprising transfer of PG Andrew Nembhard from the program, where Andrew was a two-year starter. What it means for Florida at point guard next year and the guard position generally. Plus, a discussion of Florida's two-year roster flip- from a team with less athleticism and smaller guards to one with an abundance...

Eric Fawcett (Gator Country) and Neil W. Blackmon (Saturday Down South) break down the 2006 National Championship game, which saw Florida capture its first national championship in basketball. The game was nearly a wire to wire Florida victory, and saw the Gators put together what longtime CBS college basketball analyst Billy Packer called "one of the finest team performances in the history of col...

Eric Fawcett (Gator Country) and Neil W. Blackmon (Saturday Down South) discuss a really busy week in Florida basketball. FIrst, the decision of Andrew Nembhard to declare for the NBA draft but hire an NCAA certified agent. The guys break down his decision, his future and why a return to Florida might not make much sense. (Minute 1-15). Second, the guys discuss Tre Mann's decision to also declare...

The guys discuss the return of Keyontae Johnson to UF for his junior season. Plus, how will the Gators handle big expectations for a second consecutive season? Finally- all your listener questions— and a chat about the best Gators ever tournament going down on Twitter.

Eric Fawcett (Gator Country) and Neil W. Blackmon (Saturday down South) break down the decision of Florida freshman Scottie Lewis to return for his sophomore season in Gainesville. Why it was a smart, mature decision by Lewis and how it sets him up for a big second season on campus. Plus, how the decision impacts Florida's rotations in 2020-21 and playing time for Florida's other guards and wings....