Florida Wins Big Over Vanderbilt; The Bull Gator Attempts Running Commentary

I’m home alone. Florida is on TV against Vanderbilt. It’s running diary time. Sort of. Because it’s just me, I can’t imagine it’d be all that funny (or worth reading) if I detailed everything I do and think of during a Gator game. You’d probably be bored out of your mind…as would I. So instead I’ll just provide my thoughts during the breaks and see how it goes.

1st Half

Some people think Vandy’s court is unique. I think it’s stupid. How do you effectively coach your team when they’re at the other end?

I’ve never been a big fan of Florida’s basketball uniforms. Too flashy for me. I’m more a fan of the traditional. But at least the Gators went with the blue today. I can’t stand the black they wore against South Carolina. I thought the whole black alternate jersey thing ended years ago.

Both teams exchanged threes to open the game. Good to see Chandler Parsons hit his first shot. He can be dangerous if he lives up to his tremendous potential.

Vandy got a shot clock violation. Those are usually attributed to good defense and I get that, but it still should never happen. If you have the ball, you need to pay attention.

Dan Werner shouldn’t be taking shots when his feet aren’t set. He needs to be in position to make it count.

I think I’ve said it before, but I’m very high on Kenny Kadji.

In case you haven’t paid attention to Gator basketball under Billy Donovan, Florida takes a TON of threes. Sometimes it seems like a few too many.

15:45 – Vanderbilt 9 – Florida 7

Ugh. Nick Calathes threw one away. Not sure what he thought was supposed to happen on that play, but he just passed it right out of bounds.

Within the first six minutes Vandy has had a shot clock violation and now stepped out of bounds. I blame their idiotic court design. Of course they are winning, so what do I know?

Man is Erving Walker quick.

If you’re keeping score, Vandy now has a shot clock violation, a back court violation, a player step out of bounds for no reason, and a five-second violation.

Parsons may be hot today. He’s hit two threes already.

MAKE THAT THREE!!!

Now it’s just getting ridiculous. Parsons with his fourth three. His last three have come on Florida’s last three possessions.

Oh Alex Tyus. Don’t leave your feet.

Remember what I said about Donovan’s teams taking too many threes? I was wrong. They can take as many as they like. Walker just hit one from about five feet behind the line.

9:26 – Florida 28 – Vanderbilt 19

I don’t even want to name the guys announcing this game, but AWFUL. At least they think they are funny. I guess that’s all that matters.

The Gators are playing great defense so far. Unfortunately Calathes is struggling from the field on the other end.

Yes Walter Hodge is still on the team. Doesn’t it seem like he’s been around forever? He just hit a three.

Calathes with the layup and Florida is now up 13.

7:39 – Florida 35 – Vanderbilt 22

These Bud Light commercials where the people draw in midair. Stupid. It’s totally not real. I mean come on. People who can draw white lines in midair with their fingers?!? Totally unrealistic and I’m not going to stand for it!

Do opposing fans hate Calathes? They hated Matt Walsh. They hated Joakim Noah. I would think Calathes is the logical one to be next in line, right?

Vandy might want to cover the open guy behind the three-point line. Everyone seems to be hitting deep shots.

Not only are the benches on either end, but there are huge amounts of room on either side of the court. Could someone explain to me why? Seriously, I really would like to know.

Parsons! Five-for-five from three now. Not to mention he’s rebounding very well too.

Walker with a three extends Florida’s lead to 17. The Gators are now 10-for-14 from behind the arc.

Just as I type that, Walker hits another one. Wow! Walker and Parsons have 27 combined so far.

2:54 – Florida 49 – Vanderbilt 33

Florida seems to have rebounded from the last-second loss to South Carolina nicely. But then again there’s nearly 23 minutes left to play, so it’s ain’t over.

If you try to dunk, you have to make it. That Vandy player just looked ridonkulous.

Parsons finally missed one.

Brad Tinsley is a pretty good shooter. There’s your token praise for someone on the other team for the game.

Oh good, now they’re showing the announcers. I think it’s time for mute.

I love offensive rebounds. When the team I’m cheering for gets them of course.

And Calathes with a three at the buzzer!!!

Great offensive first half. Florida averages 78.4 per game and already has 56. The Gators enter the second half with four players in double digits in scoring. Florida went an amazing 12-for-18 from three and is shooting 55.6% from the field.

Halftime – Florida 56 – Vanderbilt 37

2nd Half

I do like the “when did you become a Florida Gator” commercials better than the “go Gators” ones. Watch a “go Gators” one once and it’s hard to wonder why other fans hate Florida.

I nearly missed the start of the second half because one of my dogs seems to think he can get on the couch whenever he likes. We had to have a little talk about who really is in charge. I have a feeling he still believes it’s him.

Okay guys, don’t get too cocky. Calathes and Tyus weren’t able to connect on an alley oop attempt that didn’t look very open anyway.

Two quick buckets and Florida extends its lead to 23. Tyus makes a free throw to push it to 24.

Parsons is having an absolutely great game. He just put back a missed shot by Hodge.

Calathes was just called for the charge and the announcer’s analysis of it was brilliant: “he does that.” That’s just a wonderful breakdown of what just happened.

15:53 – Florida 65 – Vanderbilt 44

Werner just flat out gets blocked. Take it strong to the rim Dan and that might not happen.

Big slam by Vandy, but Florida’s still up three touchdowns.

Parsons with a wide open three puts the Gators back up by 23.

AND ANOTHER ONE!!! Florida up 26. Parsons has 23 and is seven-for-eight from behind the arc.

With 12:05 left, the Gators have passed their scoring average.

11:44 – Florida 79 – Vanderbilt 53

Rebound Parsons. Bucket Parsons.

We’re under 10 minutes left and Florida is up by 27. I wonder what the biggest deficit come back from with less than 10 minutes is.

The announcers just anointed Calathes “Greek Chocolate.” Um. Please don’t tell me people are actually calling him this.

The Gators just set a season high with their fifteenth three. And Florida is now up 30. I think we can put this one in the books. I would like to see them keep their foot on the accelerator though.

7:17 – Florida 88 – Vanderbilt 58

Walker is having a great game as well today. 17 points and six assists for the freshman and with Calathes heading to the bench, he’s running the point.

Of the players who have attempted a three-point shot for the Gators, only one – Werner – is shooting less than .500 from behind the arc.

The announcers are praising Vandy’s potential. The same Vandy that’s currently down by 32.

I love watching Florida dismantle an opponent, but isn’t it time to get the big names out of the game? No need for Calathes to be in when the Gators are up by more than 30 with less than four minutes left.

2:58 – Florida 94 – Vanderbilt 62

Here we go. Now we get to see some of the backups. Eloy Vargas is in. When guys as big as Vargas wear t-shirts under their jerseys it just looks silly.

Hodge is now on the court with four freshmen.

We’re under a minute to go now. Good game all around by Florida. The Gators got a lot of open looks and were able to make baskets on almost all of them. I’ll take a 25-point SEC win any day.

Final – Florida 94 – Vanderbilt 69