GAINESVILLE — Coach Billy Donovan insists that perception is not reality for the 2010 version of the Gators.
The team is earning plenty of pre-season hype for returning all five starters from an NCAA Tournament squad and adding a McDonald's All-American in 6-foot-9 Patric Young.
The perception is one of an experienced squad that added quality depth and is poised for a deep tournament run come March.
Donovan would rather his team focus on the reality.
"The reality is this group hasn't really done a whole lot," Donovan said. "This group hasn't really accomplished a whole lot. I was certainly very proud of the strides and progress they made a year ago, but the reality is we're a team who got knocked out in the second round of the SEC Tournament and in the first round in the NCAA Tournament."
The Gators finished 21-13 after a double-overtime loss to BYU in the NCAA Tournament.
This year's team is expected to improve upon that result. And outsiders aren't the only ones buying into the hype.
"They asked me today, 'What's your goal?' " senior forward Chandler Parsons said at the team's media day Wednesday. "I said, 'National championship.' I don't expect anything less."
Parsons emerged as the team's leader last season, setting career highs in points (12.4 per game), rebounds (6.9), assists (2.6), field-goal percentage (49.3) and three-point percentage (35.8).
Despite the huge jump in his game as well as the team's, Donovan pointed out that without either of Parsons' two buzzer-beaters against NC State and South Carolina, the Gators wouldn't have even made the NCAA Tournament.
With non-conference games scheduled against Ohio State, Florida State, Kansas State, Xavier and Rhode Island, it wont take long for UF learn about itself.
But Parsons sees the potential for a big season with guards Erving Walker (12.6 points, 4.9 assists per game) and Kenny Boynton (14 ppg) returning and seniors Alex Tyus (11.8 points, 6.9 rebounds per game) and Vernon Macklin (10.6 points, 5.5 rebounds per game) stabilizing the front court.
"No question, I think we have what it takes," Parsons said. "I think we're experienced. I think we have great guards, great size, a great coach."
Now, UF's task will be turning Parsons' perception into Donovan's reality.
