Gators With Big Win On Billy Donovan Court Naming Night

Billy Donovan was close to coaching the Orlando Magic longterm.On a night where Billy Donovan’s contributions to the Florida basketball program were honored and his name was immortalized by becoming a permanent fixture of the court it was only right that the Gators put on show and they did just that, completely dismantling the Vanderbilt Commodores in the first half and getting a lead they needed to simply nurse on their way to a 84-66 final score. Garbage time came early in this one as Florida swarmed Vanderbilt on the defensive end not allowing anything easy and allowing the enter they got from turnovers to fuel their offensive attack. It was 48-19 at the break for Florida and when they returned for a halftime where Donovan addressed the crowd it was almost like playing the second frame was nothing more than a formality. In front of Donovan as well as a great number of his former players, assistant coaches, and managers it was fitting that the team would play their best basketball and the aesthetically pleasing brand of basketball the Gators played perfectly fitted the “Billy Donovan Court” decals that are now seen on both sides of the floor. Playing in front of Donovan and seeing his accomplishments acknowledged again was almost certainly inspiring for the current Gators and the big win tonight could really help their momentum moving forward in the SEC season as they have now climbed to 8-4 in the SEC.

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