Florida Basketball is at the summit of the sport fresh off of winning the third national championship in school history 3 weeks ago in San Antonio. Neil W. Blackmon (Saturday Down South) has followed the program for over 25 years and covered it up close for the last several seasons. He reflects on Florida's last 4 decades of hoops, offers historica…

Eric Fawcett (Gator Country, Burner Ball) and Neil W. Blackmon (Saturday Down South) discuss the fallout from Denzel Aberdeen's decision to transfer to Kentucky. What does it say about this era of hoops? How does Denzel fit at Kentucky? Why you can't fault Denzel-- or the fan reaction to the choice. Plus, where Florida is headed now in the portal, …

Neil W. Blackmon (Saturday Down South) offers insight into Denzel Aberdeen's surprising decision to leave the University of Florida and enter the transfer portal. A 3 year Florida player and key contributor on the 2025 National Champions, Aberdeen's resilience and hard work were and are a testament to grit in an age when too many players leave at t…

Eric Fawcett (Gator Country, Burner Ball) and Neil W. Blackmon (Saturday Down South) breakdown Florida's 65-63 national championship game win over Houston on April 7, 2025. From the rough and tumble first half to Florida's rally from a 12 point deficit to the final defensive stands by the Gators, every angle in the national title game is covered an…

Eric Fawcett (Gator Country, Burner Ball) is joined by a host of guests in the immediate aftermath of Florida's national championship clinching win over Houston on Monday night. Guests include: - David Waters of Gators Breakdown - Andy Hutchins of Alligator Army - Anthony Beck of Inside Swamp - Will Miles of Read and Reaction - Malik Grady and more…

Neil W. Blackmon (Saturday Down South) and Eric Fawcett (Burner Ball, Gator Country) preview the national championship game between Florida and Houston. The Final Four road ends here. What are the keys to Florida winning its third national championship? What makes Houston so good? How do they guard at such an elite level, and can Florida avoid cost…

Eric Fawcett (Gator Country, Burner Ball) is joined by Riley Davis (Heat Check CBB) to break down Florida's 79-73 comeback win over Auburn in the Final Four. Topics include: - How Florida adjusted defensively to slow Auburn's offense in the second half - Walter Clayton Jr.'s second consecutive 30 point performance makes a little NCAA Tournament his…

Heat Check College Basketball writer and analyst Riley Davis joins Eric Fawcett to break down the Final Four. How does Riley view the rematch between top overall seed Auburn and the Gators? What will Florida need to do to grab a second win over a great Auburn team this season? How will Auburn go about defending the Gators better in the rematch? Are…

Ben Young of the Jungle Podcast (@AuburnJungle on X) joins the show to provide a scouting report and preview of Saturday's Final Four contest from the Auburn perspective. Auburn put together one of the greatest regular seasons in the history of college basketball. Ben breaks down how the SEC Champions did it, why their defensive resurgence has led …

Neil W. Blackmon (Saturday Down South) and Eric Fawcett (Gator Country, Burner Ball) team up to preview Florida's Final Four matchup with Auburn. Florida defeated Auburn 90-81 in the Jungle in February. Will the Gators win the rematch in what will be the biggest SEC Basketball game ever played? The guys break down the keys to the game, from slowing…

Eric Fawcett (Gator Country, Burner Ball) and Neil W. Blackmon (Saturday Down South) break down Florida's 84-79 comeback win over Texas Tech in the Elite 8. How Florida erased a 10 point second half deficit in the final 3 minutes to advance to the program's 6th Final Four. The guys discuss it all, including: - Walter Clayton Jr.'s incredible shots …

Neil W. Blackmon (Saturday Down South) and Eric Fawcett (Gator Country, Burner Ball) take a deep dive into Florida's thrilling 77-75 win over UConn in NCAA Second Round action last Sunday in Raleigh. How Will Richard, Alijah Martin, and Walter Clayton Jr. pulled the Gators out of the fire and ended Danny Hurley and UConn's run of NCAA Tournament br…

Eric Fawcett (Gator Country, Burner Ball) and Brian Rauf (Heat Check CBB) break down Florida's EPIC 77-75 win over UConn on Sunday in Raleigh. How Florida ENDED UConn's NCAA Tournament winning streak at 13 with elite guard play and great coaching down the stretch. Plus, what's next for the Gators and what they can improve as the program heads to th…

Eric Fawcett (Gator Country, Burner Ball) and Neil W. Blackmon (Saturday Down South) break down Florida's 95-69 opening round victory over Norfolk State in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday night. How Florida built a 32-point first round lead, and what to make of Florida's sluggish second half. Plus, Micah Handlogten and Thomas Haugh…

Eric Fawcett (Gator Country, Burner Ball) and Neil W. Blackmon (Saturday Down South) break down Florida's 86-77 win over Tennessee in the SEC Championship Game. How Florida weathered every Tennessee punch, defeating a Vols team that played well and was backed by a boisterous partisan crowd in Nashville. Plus, the BRACKETS have been revealed. Eric a…

Neil W. Blackmon (Saturday Down South) and Eric Fawcett (Gator Country, Burner Ball) break down Florida's 104-82 win over Alabama in the SEC Tournament semifinal. How the Gators won their latest "1 seed game" to return to the SEC Championship Game for the second consecutive season. Topics discussed include: - Ball screen defense - Alijah Martin's i…

Neil W. Blackmon (Saturday Down South) offers his thoughts on an incredible Thursday at the SEC Tournament. From buzzer beaters (plural!) to big comebacks, it was a Thursday to remember in Nashville. Plus, breaking down the SEC Quarterfinal games, including Florida-Missouri. What makes the Tigers so tough? How did they bother the Gators so much in …

Neil W. Blackmon (Saturday Down South) is joined by Max Barr (Southeastern 16) to preview the SEC Tournament, which begins on Wednesday in Nashville. Barr helps break down the bracket, from Game 1 to the SEC Championship. Can Florida win their first SEC Tournament crown since 2014? Plus, thoughts on SEC awards, snubs, and Barr's outstanding "All Bu…

Neil W. Blackmon (Saturday Down South) and Eric Fawcett (Gator Country, Burner Ball) break down Florida's 89-70 win over No. 12 Texas A&M. How Florida took an early punch and rallied for a dominant victory. Plus, recapping a special day for the program, from College Gameday being in Gainesville to another electric environment in the O'Dome. The guy…

Neil W. Blackmon (Saturday Down South) and Eric Fawcett (Gator Country, Burner Ball) offer their thoughts on Florida's upset loss at Georgia on Tuesday night. Why the loss isn't a sign the sky is falling, and a deep dive into what went wrong for the Gators, especially on defense in the first half as Florida fell behind by 26 points. Plus, thoughts …

Eric Fawcett (Gator Country, Burner Ball) and Neil W. Blackmon (Saturday Down South) break down Florida's blowout wins over Oklahoma and South Carolina. Plus: - The Case for Walter Clayton Jr. for First Team All-American - LSU and Georgia Road Trip - Alex Condon update - Florida's elite roster build... and much, much more.…

Neil W. Blackmon (Saturday Down South) and Eric Fawcett (Gator Country, Burner Ball) break down Florida's 81-68 win at No. 22 Miss State. How Florida and glue guy Tommy Haugh changed the game with defense in the second half, why Florida's offensive scout was brilliant, and why Walter Clayton Jr. should be a First-Team All-American. Plus, a preview …

Eric Fawcett (Gator Country, Burner Ball) and Neil W. Blackmon (Saturday Down South) break down Florida's 90-81 upset of top-ranked Auburn on Saturday at Neville Arena. How the Gators set the tone for the game with their defense, especially from frontcourt pieces Alex Condon and Thomas Haugh. Plus, the case for Walter Clayton Jr. to be a consensus …

Neil W. Blackmon (Saturday Down South) is joined by Graham Hall of 247 Sports to preview Florida's Tuesday night tilt vs. Vanderbilt. Plus, thoughts on Florida's flop on Rocky Top, what's impressed Graham about Florida's young frontcourt, the loyalty and toughness of Denzel Aberdeen, and much more.

Florida blasted Georgia 89-59 to collect their 12th straight win over the Dawgs. How Florida's pressure wilted Georgia, and why Florida's bigs gave Georgia's lottery pick, Asa Newell, so many problems. FBH analyzes how the Florida bigs do the little things and why the interior seals are the unsung hero of the Gators offense. Plus, thoughts on Walte…

Neil W. Blackmon (Saturday Down South) and Eric Fawcett (Gator Country) break down Florida's thrilling 70-69 win at South Carolina on Wednesday night. In what forever will be known as "the Will Richard game", why the Gators showed their championship resolve in overcoming a 14-point deficit to win. Plus, what ails the Gators halfcourt offense? Shoul…

Eric Fawcett (Gator Country, Burner Ball) and Neil W. Blackmon (Saturday Down South) break down what went wrong in Missouri's 83-82 win at No. 5 Florida. The guys also answer a host of Patreon listener questions, including what the Gators could improve in their halfcourt offense, lineup rotations, and why defense could key a run to the Sweet 16 and…

Neil W. Blackmon (Saturday Down South) and Eric Fawcett (Gator Country) break down Florida's 73-43 whipping of No. 1 Tennessee on Tuesday night in Gainesville. How Florida out-Tennessee'd Tennessee to dominate the glass, stifle the Vols offense, and win points in the paint 40-14 on their way to the program's first home win over a top-ranked opponen…

Neil W. Blackmon (Saturday Down South) and Eric Fawcett (Gator Country) talk about Florida's 13-0 start to the season. Why Florida aces the eye test, even if they haven't played a truly elite opponent yet. Plus, why Florida is so hard to guard and why the defensive improvements should be sustainable as the Gators enter league play. Plus, a preview …

Eric Fawcett (Gator Country) and Neil W. Blackmon (Saturday Down South) break down trends from Florida's 9-0 start, including what's gone right for the Gators defensively and a look at fascinating lineup data. Plus, Florida is in the top 10. Why the Gators will be tested in their next 2 games-- a Holiday Hoopsgiving game in Atlanta against Arizona …

Neil W. Blackmon (Saturday Down South) is joined by Jacob Rudner (247 Sports) to break down Florida's rout of Virginia in the ACC-SEC Challenge. Jacob and Neil also discuss Florida's 9-0 start, the emergence of a strong 8 man rotation, improved defense, and the bigger tests to come in Arizona State and North Carolina. Plus, what a wagon the SEC is-…

Eric Fawcett (Gator Country) and Neil W. Blackmon (Saturday Down South) break down Florida's rout of Southern Illinois, which featured suffocating defense and 32 points from Alijah Martin. Also: a Feast Week preview! What to expect from the ESPN Events Invitational which features Florida, Wake Forest, Minnesota, and Wichita State.…

Welcome FEAST WEEK!! Neil W. Blackmon of Saturday Down South previews the most epic week of college basketball until March. From the Charleston Classic to the NIT, we've got your Feast Week viewers guide. Plus, finding positives in a sleepy win over Florida A&M, and a preview of a tricky test against a solid Southern Illinois team on Friday night i…

Neil W. Blackmon (Saturday Down South) and Eric Fawcett (Gator Country) talk Florida's 3-0 start on the floor and address the Todd Golden situation off the floor. What we know about the Title IX investigation, what remains unknown, and why it's irresponsible to form conclusions at this point in time. Other topics include: why the Florida backcourt …

Basketball Season is here!! Jake Winderman (CBS Sports) joins the show for the annual over/under episode, where the guys discuss a host of topics, including Florida's defensive improvement, Walt Clayton's All-American prospects, and much more. Topics include: Florida's Quad 1 win total, predicted SEC finish, the most-improved Gators, a plea to free…

Neil W. Blackmon (Saturday Down South) is joined on this episode by Max Barr (Southeastern 16) to break down the SEC ahead of the 2024-25 season. Is this the best league in America? Is Alabama the national title favorite? Did you know Miles Kelly was "basically Steph Curry?" Why Florida and Kentucky are the most intriguing rosters, why Georgia migh…

Eric Fawcett (Gator Country) and Neil W. Blackmon (Saturday Down South) take listener questions as the Gators open fall camp. Topics discussed include: - what would be a successful season for Florida - Starting 5 - newcomer FBH is most excited about - Can Florida score? - Non-conference schedule and much, much more. Plus, a handful of news and note…

In our opening episode for season 7 of the podcast, FBH sits down with Carlin Hartman, the associate head coach for Florida Men's Basketball, to talk year 3 of the Gators under head coach Todd Golden. Plus, candid conversation and reflections on Coach Hartman's coaching journey, the power of building a program by listening to players, and using hoo…

Fresh off an unbelievable performance at the FIBA Eurobasket 2024 championships, Eric Fawcett sat down with one of the newest Gators, point guard Urban Klavžar. Klavžar talked about his experiences in European club basketball, his family connections to the game, and why longstanding relationships made him choose Florida.…

Florida big man Olivier Rioux joins FBH to discuss his journey from Canada to IMG and ultimately, to Todd Golden and the Gators. Rioux tells his story, from youth hoops at the age of 5 to the Canadian National Team at the FIBA U19 World Cup and U18 FIBA Americup. Rioux dishes on which Gators teammates keep the team loose, why he chose Florida, the …

Eric Fawcett (Gator Country) and Neil W. Blackmon (Saturday Down South) discuss the commitment of four star wing CJ Ingram to Florida. Why Ingram is a massive get with NBA upside, and what work he'll need to do at the collegiate level to reach his lofty potential. Plus, Neil and Eric discuss Olympic basketball, the commitment of Santa Fe guard Kevi…

Eric Fawcett (Gator Country) and Neil W. Blackmon (Saturday Down South) break down Florida's final 2 roster additions of the offseason in Urban Klavžar and Viktor Mikic. Why Klavžar will help the Gators immediately, and why Mikic is an exciting add from a value standpoint. Plus, are computers and preseason polls disrespecting the Gators?…

Eric Fawcett (Gator Country) and Neil W. Blackmon (Saturday Down South) break down the return of Florida's Walter Clayton Jr. and Will Richard. What the return of two senior starters means for the Gators, and how each team can improve in 2024-25. Plus, a fair NBA comparison for Clayton Jr., and the improvement at the margins that would be a gamecha…

Jake Winderman (CBS Sports) joins Neil W. Blackmon (Saturday Down South) to discuss Florida's SEC basketball schedule, which was just released by the league this week. Neil and Jake also break down the winners and SEC Contenders from Portal Season, with a focus on the teams they believe can win the SEC in 2024-2025. Finally, are the Gators deep eno…

Neil W. Blackmon (Saturday Down South) and Eric Fawcett (Gator Country) offer breakdowns of Florida's newest portal additions, Sam Alexis of UT Chattanooga and Reuben Chinyelu of Washington State. What to expect from the 2 newest Gators frontcourt pieces, and why Todd Golden's defensive thinking may have influenced the decisions to recruit these pl…

Eric Fawcett (Gator Country) and Neil W. Blackmon (Saturday Down South) answer questions asked by our Patreon subscribers. Questions range from transfer portal targets to defensive scheme to what to expect from Florida on the recruiting trail. The national championship game, between UConn and Purdue, is also previewed.…

FBH sat down with former All-SEC Gator Jennifer George to chat about Florida hoops on the men's and women's sides. What she likes about the build of each program, and what she hopes to see in 2024-25. We also talked about Jennifer's charity, the Girls Basketball Worldwide Foundation, which brings hoops into underserved communities, offering young g…

Eric Fawcett (Gator Country) and Neil W. Blackmon (Saturday Down South) break down Florida's 102-100 loss to Colorado in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Yes, the referees were abysmal. Yes, Florida was bad on defense. Yes, Walter Clayton was a win away from being immortal. Yes, it was a good season. But it left us all wanting a little more.…

Neil W. Blackmon (Saturday Down South) and Eric Fawcett (Gator Country) break down Florida's 7 seed on Selection Sunday. Why a 7 seed was wrong, but could work in Florida's favor. Plus, previews of Florida's opening round matchup, which will be against the First Four winner of Colorado/Boise State. The guys also recap Florida's tough SEC Championsh…

Eric Fawcett (Gator Country) and Neil W. Blackmon (Saturday Down South) breakdown Florida's epic comeback win over Texas A&M in the SEC Tournament semifinals. How Denzel Aberdeen and Alex Condon keyed the Gators rally against the Aggies-- and why Florida's defense won the day early in the second half. Plus, our preview of the SEC Championship Game,…