No One Said Going Back to Back Would Be Easy

No one ever said going back to back would be easy. But I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t expecting to start the season 1-0. That’s probably on me. I’m not one of these self proclaimed “ball knowers” unlike my co-workers who walk around like it’s some badge of honor and a symbol of superiority. Still, I don’t think many people, even the dudes on tv had Koa Peat penciled in for one of the best freshman debuts in college basketball history. If I had known we were about to face the offspring of Thanos and LeBron James, maybe I wouldn’t have bet money on Florida.

But this isn’t about money. This is about the future of Florida Gators basketball. And anyone already throwing in the towel after one game is a complete moron.

As usual, the online trolls you know, the ones with anime profile pictures and usernames like “nickysmokesshoulddie”  had the most to say. It’s always the same people chirping after a loss. Talking shit about a team better than yours gives you that temporary dopamine hit when your own program hasn’t been relevant in years. I get it. It’s therapy.

But what I don’t get are the “fans” acting like a six point loss to the No. 13 team in the country is some catastrophic failure. We shot 26% from three, 40% from the field, turned the ball more times than Mintzy has been to a Panic concert, and had two starters foul out, and still only lost by six. That’s not a bad team. That’s a good team having a bad night.

This group is going to get better, a lot better. Xaivian Lee isn’t going to shoot 3-for-11 from deep every game, and Boogie Fland isn’t going to be an offensive ghost forever. The front court has to step up (Not you Thomas you were great). Alex Condon needs to figure it the fuck out because I don’t care how talented a freshman is, he can’t take your lunch money like Koa Peat did last night.

So ignore the fake narratives and knee jerk overreactions. The Florida Gators are still a damn good basketball team,  talented, deep, and built for March. Sometimes it takes a reality check to spark a championship run. This team still has everything it takes to go back to back. One game doesn’t change that.