STEVE GOTTER
DAVID STLUKA
"There are more things that we have to work on
than not at this time of the year. Regardless of your
opponent, you're always going to learn a lot, but especially when you face a team like this."
Although the Gators were minus three suspended players, UW assistant coach Gary Close, who
handled the scouting report, recognized the depth
of talent that Florida coach Billy Donovan has stockpiled.
Donovan, by, the way, is a "Kid" no more. He's
48 and entering his 18th season at Florida on the
heels of three consecutive trips to the NCAA tournament's Elite Eight.
"Teams with this kind of quality are going to challenge you," Close said. "Now we know a little more
about our team and where we need to focus our attention."
"THIS WILL BE A POSITIVE BUILDING
BLOCK FOR US," GARD SAID. "WE'LL
TAKE THE GOOD THINGS WE DO FROM
IT AND WE'LL PULL OUT SOME OF THE
THINGS THAT WE HAVE TO WORK ON."
Down 16-4, Dekker had seen enough. The Badgers had missed seven of their first nine shots, including all five from beyond the 3-point arc. Someone needed to step up. So he nominated himself.
"I thought we were a little too stagnant, no one
wanted to make that first move, that first aggressive play," said Dekker, who had two turnovers and
two missed shots in the first eight minutes.
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