florida gator basketball

Billy Napier’s third season in Gainesville is unofficially underway with the start of spring football practices. During the next six weeks, a remade roster and staff will push to turn the page on consecutive losing seasons and search for answers, leaders, playmakers and momentum. Meanwhile, Todd Golden’s Gators are ahead of schedule and poised to make a postseason statement. During the latest Swamp Things, Edgar and Mark have plenty to say during the start of a big month for Florida’s two premiere programs.

• Billy Napier optimistic (:35)
• Insight into Napier (5:50)
• Graham Mertz getting comfortable (9:56)
• Chimere Dike and receiving core (14:29)
• New strength coach (22:08)
• Criticism mounting (34:02)
• What is end game? (42:27)
• Men’s basketball (44:10)
• Women’s basketball (48:17)
• Jeremy Foley’s Corner (48:46)

Florida’s upset bid in men’s basketball came up short in overtime at Alabama. Coach Todd Golden’s squad let a golden opportunity slip away, but the Gators have found their stride with March Madness on the horizon. Meanwhile, Billy Napier’s program will kick off spring football in two weeks with 30 new players and a retooled staff. After spending a week reporting from the Daytona 500, Mark and Edgar return for the latest Swamp Things to catch up with all the Gators’ goings-on, including a deluge of spring sports.

• NASCAR: Daytona 500 (:00)
• Men’s basketball (4:29)
• Gator Football: Staff churn (8:46)
• Coaches managing players (18:00)
• Coaching possibilities (23:04)
• Florida Victorious selling itself (29:30)
• Recruit playing the game (43:00)
• Jeremy Foley’s Corner (49:10)

Florida moves past a forgettable 2022 season and builds toward the future as 2023 begins. The Gators signed a strong class Dec. 21 and have a number of top transfers on the radar as Napier and Co. overhaul a roster in need of one. Meanwhile, Todd Golden’s first season in men’s basketball has been a struggle itself. A visit to former coach Mike White and Georgia is a must-win for optics as much as already fading NCAA Tournament hopes. Mark and Edgar discuss the tough opening acts for the Gators’ two premiere sports and discuss the CFB Playoff title game during the latest Swamp Things.

Florida coach Billy Napier’s team will travel more than 2,000 miles to play the Las Vegas Bowl with a team losing players by the day because of transfers, dismissals and NFL early entry. Anthony Richarson is pursuing his professional dream, as is likely All-SEC guard O’Cyrus Torrence and defensive tackle Gervon Dexter. Linebacker Ventrell Miller is likely staying home, too, leaving the Gators with a makeshift roster to face surging Oregon State. Florida is staring at another 6-7 finish, but help is on the way as the transfer portal opens for business and Early Signing Day is two weeks away. During the latest episode, Mark and Edgar discuss the head-spinning days and weeks ahead for the Napier and Co. as they juggle a meaningless bowl with a massive rebuild.

Billy Napier’s first regular season ended with a 6-6 record, culminating with a 45-38 loss Friday night at rival FSU. The Gators still have a bowl game to play, but the program’s future will be the primary focus during the coming weeks. Anthony Richardon’s NFL decision looms, but the team’s quarterback is among many players facing decisions about their future at Florida. During the latest Swamp Things, Edgar and Mark reflect on Year 1 under Napier and the challenges ahead, beginning with rebuilding the Gators’ roster.

Billy Napier says it’s fun to go to work these days. Hard to blame him following Florida’s best stretch of football this season. The Gators look to keep the good times rolling at Vanderbilt, a place Florida has experienced some epic struggles. The Commodores are feeling pretty good about them themselves, too, after ending a 26-game SEC losing streak. Another obstacle could be the weather: temperatures will dip into the 20s on the eve of Saturday’s 11 a.m. kickoff. During the latest episode, Mark and Edgar discuss the matchup, along with a stunning loss in men’s basketball during Todd Golden’s third game at the helm.