Florida Basketball Hour

Jake Winderman (CBS Sports) hosts this year's annual Florida Basketball Hour over/under and season predictions episode with Neil W. Blackmon (Saturday Down South) and Eric Fawcett (Gator Country). The trio also analyze Florida's recent scrimmage with Miami, who returns the bulk of an Elite 8 squad from a season ago. Who will be Florida's leading scorer? Is this a NCAA Tournament team? What's the c...

Eric Fawcett (Gator Country) and Malik Grady (The Close Up Magic Podcast) preview Florida's frontcourt for the 2022-2023 season. Led by All-SEC talent Colin Castleton, Eric and Malik discuss why this might be the best Florida front court since the Gators Elite 8 squad. Individual player outlooks, from Castleton to LSU transfer Alex Fudge and all in-between are discussed, along with some statistica...

Eric Fawcett (Gator Country) and Neil W. Blackmon (Saturday Down South) begin their preview of year one of the Todd Golden era in Florida basketball with a look at the Gators backcourt. What will make the Kyle Lofton-Trey Bonham point guard duo so dangerous, and what Lofton will need to do to adjust to life in the SEC. Plus, Kowacie Reeves star potential, Niels Lane and the defensive upside of thi...

Eric Fawcett (Gator Country) and Neil W. Blackmon (Saturday Down South) interview Victor Lopez, Florida's new strength and conditioning coach. Coach Lopez shares his fascinating personal story, what he values as a basketball strength coach, and gives his thoughts on the opportunity at UF. Plus, all your offseason listener questions, including a discussion of which Gators will be most improved, Tre...

Eric Fawcett (Gator Country) and Neil W. Blackmon break down Florida's final addition to the 2022-23 roster, German big man Aleks Szymczyk. Why Szymczk's skill is so intriguing, and why the scholarship makes sense. Plus, Riley Kugel arrives on campus, and Thomas Haugh becomes Florida's first commitment for the 2023 class. Why Kugel is underrated, and why Haugh will fit in well at Florida.  Pl...

Blake Lovell of 14Southeastern joins Eric Fawcett (Gator Country) and Neil W. Blackmon (Saturday Down South) to recap the offseason that was in the SEC. Who won the transfer portal? Is there a better fit than Johni Broome at Auburn? Is this the best Kentucky team since the "Nearly Invincibles" that lost to Wisconsin in the Final 4? Was Dennis Gates quietly the best hire? What do we make of Alabama...

Florida Gators Head Basketball Coach Todd Golden joins Eric Fawcett (Gator Country) and Neil W. Blackmon (Saturday Down South) for an interview. Coach Golden talks his influences, how he's embracing the history and expectations in Gainesville, life outside of the Air BnB, the big brain of his friend and colleague Jonathan Safir, being intentional in roster building, the importance of Kyle Lofton,...

Eric Fawcett (Gator Country) and Neil W. Blackmon (Saturday Down South) break down the commitment of top 50 guard Riley Kugel. What made Kugel one of the fastest rising players in the 2022 class, and why he has an NBA ceiling. Plus, does the Kugel commitment change FBH's view on "package deals?"  The guys also discuss the last remaining roster spot, lament the loss of PJ Hall, and give update...

Eric Fawcett (Gator Country) and Neil W. Blackmon (Saturday Down South) discuss the commitment of point guard Kyle Lofton, the All Atlantic 10 player who transferred from Saint Bonaventure. Why he's a great fit for the Gators, the value of 2 point guards, and what to reasonably expect next season. The guys also discuss managing expectations on midmajor transfers. At the 30 minute mark, a discussio...

Eric Fawcett (Gator Country) and Neil W. Blackmon (Saturday Down South) are joined this week by Gator Great Eddie Shannon. The Gators all-time steals leader, Shannon discusses the early Billy Donovan era, why he'd walk through a fire with Brent Wright, and why it was clear Billy Donovan was special. Shannon, now an assistant coach at South Carolina, also chats about his new job, back in the SEC, a...

Neil W. Blackmon (Saturday Down South) joins Eric Fawcett (Gator Country) to discuss Florida's final 3 roster spots, the recent visit of Kyle Lofton and Usun Usunniyi of Saint Bonaventure, and the recent decisions of Johni Broome and former Gators commitment Jalen Reed.  Listener questions are also answered, including a lengthy discussion about why, even with 3 spots open, this Florida team i...

Eric Fawcett (Gator Country) and Neil W. Blackmon (Saturday Down South) are joined by The Athletic's G. Allan Taylor, who discusses the Todd Golden hire. Why he's optimistic about what the young coach will accomplish in Gainesville, and why Golden's recruiting plan and analytical, data-driven mind will give the program a jolt of energy. Plus, how the Gators might round out their roster for 2022-23...

Eric Fawcett (Gator Country) and Neil W. Blackmon (Saturday Down South) discuss the commitment of transfers Alex Fudge (LSU) and Trey Bonham (VMI). Why Fudge helps Florida build its best frontcourt in ages, and why Bonham should be just the beginning of Florida's work at guard. The guys discuss Florida's remaining portal and recruiting targets. They also address the decommitment of the incredibly...

Eric Fawcett (Gator Country) and Neil Blackmon (Saturday Down South) break down the return of Colin Castleton to Florida for his super senior season. Joining the guys is Malik Grady, who is running the best Twitter feed in the land about the transfer portal. Malik helps the guys break down Florida's transfer portal targets, including recent signee Will Richard. Plus, where the Gators may turn next...

Neil W. Blackmon (Saturday Down South) and Eric Fawcett (Gator Country) break down Todd Golden's staff hires. Why the guys love the Taurean Green hire, why Jonathan Safir is the smartest guy in most rooms, and why the Carlin Hartman may be the best of them all.  Plus, a review of the season that was and the options moving forward for Florida's upperclassmen. Will Myreon Jones stay? What about...

Eric Fawcett (Gator Country) joins Neil W. Blackmon (Saturday Down South) to discuss Todd Golden's new staff addition, Korey McCray. What the veteran assistant brings the Gators, and why it's a big time hire. The guys also discuss the decommitment of Malik Reneau, and where the Gators stand with Jalen Reed and Denzel Aberdeen. Then, a breakdown of the year that was for Florida's underclassmen, fro...

Eric Fawcett (Gator Country) and Neil W. Blackmon (Saturday Down South) continue their discussion of Florida's new basketball coach, Todd Golden. What to expect from Golden defensively, and how he'll approach his offensive coordinator hire in the weeks to come. The guys also discuss three pieces of advice they'd give to Coach Golden as he takes the job, including why it's important to try to retai...

Eric Fawcett (Gator Country) and Neil W. Blackmon (Saturday Down South) break down Florida's hire of Todd Golden to be the program's next Head Coach. Why the young San Francisco head coach was the right fit, why Scott Stricklin moved so quickly, and a deep dive into the data on Golden as a coach. Plus, what to expect offensively and defensively from the Gators under Golden. The guys also have a ca...

Eric Fawcett (Gator Country) and Neil W. Blackmon on the end of the Mike White Era in Gainesville.  What they'll remember about White and his tenure, from the good to the bad to the reasons White ultimately decided to move on and accept the head coach position at Georgia.  Plus, at minute 55, a preview of Florida's 1st Round NIT matchup against Rick Pitino's MAAC Champion Iona team.&nbsp...

Eric Fawcett (Gator Country) and Neil W. Blackmon (Saturday Down South) break down Florida's big win over Vanderbilt. How Florida managed to win a game when the Commodores shot 15-29 from deep and went on a 15-0 run in the second half. Plus, what's the matter with the proud Gators defense? The guys also break down the ways Phlandrous Fleming can and has impacted winning of late.  A big Kentuc...

Eric Fawcett (Gator Country) and Neil W. Blackmon (Saturday Down South) break down Florida's heartbreaking loss to Arkansas. How a great game ended in an 18-4 Arkansas run, and why guards still win games late in the season. Plus, what the Arkansas loss teaches us about Florida's roster construction issues. The guys also salute a magnificent effort from Colin Castleton, and another terrific game fr...

Eric Fawcett (Gator Country) and Neil W. Blackmon (Saturday Down South) break down Florida's heartbreaking loss at Texas A&M. What happened on the final play-- and why it was almost unthinkable. On a happier note, the guys break down Florida's big upset over # 2 Auburn- a historic win for the program that led to the first court storming in Gainesville in almost 4 decades. Why Tyree Appleby was...

Eric Fawcett (Gator Country) and Neil W. Blackmon (Saturday Down South) break down Florida's loss to Kentucky Saturday at Rupp Arena. Why two segments of the game did Florida in, and how the loss shows the growing chasm between Florida and the SEC's Elite. The guys also discuss rotations, and again praise the contributions of younger players like Niels Lane and seldom-used transfer CJ Felder.&nbsp...

Neil W. Blackmon (Saturday Down South) and Eric Fawcett (Gator Country) break down Florida's 72-63 win over Georgia Wednesday night in Gainesville. Among the topics discussed are what to make of the Gators offensively since the return of Colin Castleton, and why Tyree Appleby tends to shine in the second half. Plus, can Florida defend without Niels Lane? Breaking down the "on/off" numbers with Flo...

Eric Fawcett (Gator Country) and Neil W. Blackmon (Saturday Down South) discuss the job Kelly Rae Finley has done turning around the Florida Women's Basketball program this year after the prior coach resigned in shame. Why they are good-- and so much fun to watch. Plus, the guys break down Florida's comeback win over Ole Miss. Was the return of Colin Castleton good for the Florida offense? Should...