University of Florida - Tower / Seminole Yearbook (Gainesville, FL)

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Coach Norm Sloan became one of the few coaches to win over 500 games. Eugene McDowell slam dunks another one against the Volunteers. Vernon Delancy doing his version of the skyhook. On his way to breaking the All-time scoring record, Ronnie Williams scores two points. J. Costa C. Fox Men ' s Basketball 81 J. Costa

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GATORS IMPRESSIVE IN FLORIDA FOUR Flash Foto 1982-83 Gator basketball team. Back row: Head Coach Norm Sloan, Charles Griffin, Vernon Rollie Castineyra, Randall Leath, George Jackson, Rodney Williams, Ronnie Williams, McDowell, Assistant Coach Monte Towe, Coach Kenny McCraney. Front row: Jeff David Visscher, Ray Robinson, Nabe Palmer, Wade Harris, Tony Rogers, Dave King. Ronnie Williams sets himself for free throw attempt against the Gators SEC foe Auburn. It was only a matter of time before the UF basketball team got its act together and showed opponents the brand of it ' s capable of playing. The Florida Four Tournament was one indication of things to come. Norm Sloan and his Gators started the season slowly, quickly sinking to a 1-3 The young team rebounded, and showed fans good things are in store for Gator basketball. The Gators did not win the tournament, but their showing was impressive. They defeated the Jacksonville Dolphins in the opening round of the tournament, before bowing out to South Florida in the final 77-73. South Florida was the clear favorite the tournament. The Bulls were champions and came in with a 2-1 record. The Dolphins were no match for the Gators as they were routed 104-78 on the strength of 19 points by center Eugene McDowell. Vernon Delancy added 18 as 5,158 fans witnessed the Gators second win of the season. The Bulls coasted to the championship game by downing Florida State 90-77. USF ' s Charles Bradley scored 42 points and would have to be stopped if Florida was to emerge victorious. Bradley continued his torrid streak 30 against the Gators and leading his team to a narrow 77-73 win. The contest was a battle to the very end as two free throws with 13 seconds remaining iced the game for USF. Bright spots for the Gators were many. Junior forward Ronnie Williams netted 22 points in the losing effort and George Jackson chipped in with 18. The Gator Bowl Tournament in strengthened the theory that UF Basketball was back. The Gators crushed Penn State in the opener 82-60 and took the championship with a 56-47 win over Jacksonville in the final. The win over Jacksonville also notched Florida Coach Norm Sloan his 500th victory. Williams, McDowell and Delancy were named to the All-Tournament team while Delaney and McDowell shared MVP honors. A. Moraitis 80 Basketball

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UF REBOUNDS IN 82-83 When the Gator basketball team to the O ' Dome, after several tough losses on the road, they found fifth-ranked Alabama as their opponent to begin their SEC schedule. Florida rose to the occasion by beating the Tide 89-85. Nabe Palmer had 18 points, a career high. After that sweet victory the Gators opponent was Mississippi State. UF lost 62-60, but by beating Auburn and South Florida. Back on the road, they had to face Vanderbilt and tough Kentucky. The lost both games, but they played no 3 Kentucky hard, losing 70-63. Florida came back home to the O ' Dome and beat Tennessee 78-74; McDowell, Williams, and Delancy scored 69 of the 78 points. After four straight losses to Georgia, Mississippi, LSU, and Auburn, the Gators got what they deserved — a team effort and victory. Florida beat St. Leo 85-40, at the O ' Connell Center. UF hosted and defeated the Commodores, 65-54. The same weekend, a record crowd for the state of Florida, 11,410, watched the fall to Kentucky, 61-73. The Gators lost two more games, to Tennessee and Georgia. As the season continued, Florida beat Mississippi 75-64, with Eugene McDowell scoring 23 points and snatching 6 Thus, he led the team in scoring and rebounding for the fourth straight game. The Ole Miss victory was the Gators ' last in the regular season. After that, they traveled to Tuscaloosa to take on the Crimson Tide. Alabama led for most of the game, but with four seconds left, Nabe Palmer hit a jumper from out of another world, to send the game into two Unfortunately, the Gators lost 106- 99. After last years 5-22 season, the Gators sprung back this year. The season had bright spots: Coach Sloan became one of the elite coaches to win over 500 games, Ronnie Williams broke the all-time record, and UF won twice as many games as they did the year before. A. Moraitis Transfer Wade Harris added a spark to the gator offense. It ' s great to be a Florida gator. Charles Griffin calling signals for the Gator ' s. Entertained by Willie, dancing to Sweet Georgia Brown. 82 Mens Basketball J. Costa