I boldy predicted multiple national championships this season, but it turned out to be a disappointing year on that front, although that does not diminish how great the season was across the board. There were just a lot of upsets or disappointing performances along the way, particularly softball. But, as one who admittedly wears orange and blue glasses, I will double down on my predictions for 2016-17:
Volleyball: Return 2 of the best players in the nation, plus have the best recruiting class in the nation and add a national team member as a transfer from Michigan. Gators should be preseason top 4, maybe #1, but they are definitely a stronger team and could win it all. They add huge height with this incoming class.
Soccer: Florida adds a transfer from Kansas who is on the USA national team, a transfer from UGA who redshirted last season and is consider one of the top 10 players in the country, a defensive player who started at Maryland for 3 years, plus return almost everyone, including 5 players, 2 who are playing this summer for the Under 23 team and 2 for the under 19 team. With that type of talent, one would have to think that UF is one of the favorites for the national title.
Football. Call me crazy, but a healthy Ivey will make the OL significantly stronger and we have a real QB and far more talent at WR. Offense is going to be a huge surprise and the defense is going to be great, certainly top 10 if not top 5 (particularly if Anzalone stays healthy, who would have started over Davis if he had remained healthy - shows the type of talent he has). I maintain that Tenn is overrated and I think Georgia is grossly overrated. Gators wins the SEC East and given Bama a battle for the SEC title.
M Basketball: I am very high on this team with the addition of Barry. He replaces Finney-Smith, just more of a scorer, Ebunga will be the best center in the SEC, Robinson will have a break out year if he remains healthy and I think Hill will be All-SEC guard if he plays like he did at the end of the season. Add great depth and we have a Sweet 16 team.
W. Basketball: They will be stronger and should also be a sweet 16 team with the additions they are bringing in.
M. Swimming: As long as Dressel returns, UF should contend for the national title with a great, great recruiting class.
W. Swimming: Also bring in a large class and should return to the top 10, perhaps even top 5.
Gymnastics: They again have the top class, I though McMurty was our best athlete last season and they have several other All-American athletes, while Oklahoma and LSU lost key athletes. Gators should regain their title.
M. Tennis: Have to see if they bring in anyone else, but they are still a top 15 team. Have to believe they will add a couple recruits over the summer
W. Tennis: Add the top recruit in the nation to a core of returning players who are still young. This season should be the one they return the national title to Gainesville.
M. Golf: Best freshman class in the country and they add the top HS recruit. Despite disappointment in NCAA, next season they should definitely contend.
W. Golf: Add 3 experienced international golfers and return everyone. Top 4 should be expected.
Lacrosse: Bad call cost them a shot at the national title. They had great recruiting classes and remain a power. Should contend
M Track: Already stated my position. If healthy, it would be a shock not to win both indoors and outdoors, and indeed, indoors what they score could be scary good.
W. Track: If Sanders, Jefferson and Gause return, Florida should contend next season. Add a tremendous hurdler who will score immediately a great distance runner from Ireland. Definitely top 5 if the big 3 return.
Softball: With their pitching, they have to be the favorite, although I am sure Auburn will get the love. Freshman from Georgia will definitely add power and Amanda Lorenz may be the best player in the nation.
Baseball: Moss being drafted in the 4th round hurts, but we still have Faedo, Kower and Singer, plus a large class of pitchers returning. Other than Alonso and Reed, everyone returns in the field and there should be improvement by some of the freshman. Reyes has been a real find in the playoffs. Question mark is who replaces Reed in center, can Schwartz regain his power or someone replace Alonso in the power department and who will be the closer. Still, Gators will be top 5.
It is hard to win a national title, but the Gators have a shot in a ton of sports next season. Goooooo Gators.
Volleyball: Return 2 of the best players in the nation, plus have the best recruiting class in the nation and add a national team member as a transfer from Michigan. Gators should be preseason top 4, maybe #1, but they are definitely a stronger team and could win it all. They add huge height with this incoming class.
Soccer: Florida adds a transfer from Kansas who is on the USA national team, a transfer from UGA who redshirted last season and is consider one of the top 10 players in the country, a defensive player who started at Maryland for 3 years, plus return almost everyone, including 5 players, 2 who are playing this summer for the Under 23 team and 2 for the under 19 team. With that type of talent, one would have to think that UF is one of the favorites for the national title.
Football. Call me crazy, but a healthy Ivey will make the OL significantly stronger and we have a real QB and far more talent at WR. Offense is going to be a huge surprise and the defense is going to be great, certainly top 10 if not top 5 (particularly if Anzalone stays healthy, who would have started over Davis if he had remained healthy - shows the type of talent he has). I maintain that Tenn is overrated and I think Georgia is grossly overrated. Gators wins the SEC East and given Bama a battle for the SEC title.
M Basketball: I am very high on this team with the addition of Barry. He replaces Finney-Smith, just more of a scorer, Ebunga will be the best center in the SEC, Robinson will have a break out year if he remains healthy and I think Hill will be All-SEC guard if he plays like he did at the end of the season. Add great depth and we have a Sweet 16 team.
W. Basketball: They will be stronger and should also be a sweet 16 team with the additions they are bringing in.
M. Swimming: As long as Dressel returns, UF should contend for the national title with a great, great recruiting class.
W. Swimming: Also bring in a large class and should return to the top 10, perhaps even top 5.
Gymnastics: They again have the top class, I though McMurty was our best athlete last season and they have several other All-American athletes, while Oklahoma and LSU lost key athletes. Gators should regain their title.
M. Tennis: Have to see if they bring in anyone else, but they are still a top 15 team. Have to believe they will add a couple recruits over the summer
W. Tennis: Add the top recruit in the nation to a core of returning players who are still young. This season should be the one they return the national title to Gainesville.
M. Golf: Best freshman class in the country and they add the top HS recruit. Despite disappointment in NCAA, next season they should definitely contend.
W. Golf: Add 3 experienced international golfers and return everyone. Top 4 should be expected.
Lacrosse: Bad call cost them a shot at the national title. They had great recruiting classes and remain a power. Should contend
M Track: Already stated my position. If healthy, it would be a shock not to win both indoors and outdoors, and indeed, indoors what they score could be scary good.
W. Track: If Sanders, Jefferson and Gause return, Florida should contend next season. Add a tremendous hurdler who will score immediately a great distance runner from Ireland. Definitely top 5 if the big 3 return.
Softball: With their pitching, they have to be the favorite, although I am sure Auburn will get the love. Freshman from Georgia will definitely add power and Amanda Lorenz may be the best player in the nation.
Baseball: Moss being drafted in the 4th round hurts, but we still have Faedo, Kower and Singer, plus a large class of pitchers returning. Other than Alonso and Reed, everyone returns in the field and there should be improvement by some of the freshman. Reyes has been a real find in the playoffs. Question mark is who replaces Reed in center, can Schwartz regain his power or someone replace Alonso in the power department and who will be the closer. Still, Gators will be top 5.
It is hard to win a national title, but the Gators have a shot in a ton of sports next season. Goooooo Gators.
