From Deseret News archives:
All Gators: Florida achieves its only possible '07 goal
Now they want more. They want to be called one of the best teams of all time.
The Gators made their case Monday night with an 84-75 victory over Ohio State to capture the second straight national championship that was their only reasonable goal this season.
They became the first team to go back-to-back since 1992 and the first ever to repeat with the same starting five.
"I think this team should go down as one of the best teams in college basketball history," coach Billy Donovan said. "Not as the most talented, and not on style points but because they encompassed what the word 'team' means."
Al Horford had 18 points and 12 rebounds, Taurean Green had 16 points, and Greg Oden's 25 points and 12 rebounds weren't enough for Ohio State (35-4) to stop the Gators (35-5) from completing the quest they set upon when all the starters delayed their NBA plans for a try at another title.
"We all love each other, and we all love playing with each other," Green said. "People made huge sacrifices. They all came back for this and wouldn't have been satisfied without it."
This win completes a 2007 championship-game sweep of the Buckeyes in the two biggest college sports men's hoops and football. Florida, a 41-14 winner in the football title game in January, remains the only program in history to hold both championships at the same time.
"I've said it a thousand times once you think you've got it all figured out, you get in trouble," Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley said. "We're just enjoying tonight."
The celebration looked much the same as last year. Lots of jersey tugging, jumping onto press row and Joakim Noah running into the stands to hug it out with loved ones.
Donovan added another gold star to his resume, which figures to command more than his current $1.7 million next season, whether he returns to Florida or bolts for a possible job offer at Kentucky.
"Right here at the University of Florida, I'm going to enjoy this moment right now," Donovan said. "All that stuff will be addressed, but now isn't the time to address it."
His job this season was hardly just a matter of rolling the ball out there. He had to keep everyone motivated and focused at first when things seemed too easy, then later when the Gators lost three of four toward the end of the regular season.
Comments
- Oil falls below $79 7:53 a.m.
- Stocks open lower 7:53 a.m.
- Iranian Consulate fatally shot 7:49 a.m.
- AP poll: Family dinner survives 7:47 a.m.
- Palestinian election may be called off 7:45 a.m.
- Balloon boy parents to plead guilty 7:44 a.m.
- Intel to pay AMD $1.25B settlement 7:42 a.m.
- Jobless claims fall to 502K 7:40 a.m.
- Obama to want revised war options 7:39 a.m.
- Will state consider gay rights law? 7:11 a.m.
- SLC council OKs gay rights policies
- BYU football recruit turning heads
- Alta's Ohai is Ms. Soccer 2009
- Prep football: Felt's Facts Week
- 'Love story' of crash victim ends
- Utah Jazz have a problem at point
- Crash kills Utah County man
- 12 Utes return to Texas
- Will state consider gay rights law?
- Long days for BYU interns
- House passes health care bill
288 - SLC council OKs gay rights policies
250 - TCU showdown has big implications
195 - Senators want food tax restored
157 - Cougars crush hapless Cowboys
155 - Utah Jazz fall apart against Kings
131 - TCU 4th in AP poll; U. 16th, Y. 22nd
119 - S.L. vote pending on gay protections
109 - Pratt pleads not guilty to sex charges
101 - Letters: Strange breed in Utah
96
Utah State hoops coach Stew Morrill took a few minutes to talk about Weber
Though unpopular in some circles, there is plenty of scientific evidence...
Are you whackos talking about CNN or MSNBC? I'd agree with your vitrol if it...
GO Dixie we are rooting for you ALL THE WAY!!!!!!!!!!
Hmmmmm. "...struggling to figure out how to make up a $6.5 billion shortfall...
We are currently in a deflationary environment, so increasing the money...
Donko talking about a National Championship is like the Kansas City Royals...
Get Osama Bin Laden, and get out. It is the mission George Bush promised. ...
Please... don't let your hatred for PETA over take your critical thinking...
I just hope they are smart and build in spectator/audience seating in the...
Whenever there is a PETA story we are given one side. PETA is a extremist...


You can be the first to comment on this story.