"Memo to all of those waving pom poms: Never, ever taunt Noah during inbounds plays. "They were just talking crazy to me, like, 'You're so ugly,'" said Noah. "I mean, it hurts when you have so many beautiful girls out there just telling you how ugly you are and stuff."
- ESPN interview of Joakim Noah
Noah blew a kiss to them. Then he blew away the Bruins."
- Gene Wojciechowski, ESPN
"The Gators' dominance in the lane [was] a showtime display of resounding dunks, jaw-dropping blocks and pure power that carried Florida to 73-57 victory over UCLA and the school's first national championship Monday night."
- Sports Illustrated
"He's done a tremendous job taking the opportunity that he's been given and making the most of it. I knew with his work ethic that he was eventually going to get there. I didn't know how soon it was going to be, but he took the freedom that Billy has given him and made magic with this team."
- David Lee, Former Gator and NY Knick, on Noah
"Not only can you see his coaching, but the way he's evaluated players... Everyone told him Noah couldn't play for him, everyone told him Green couldn't play for him. He's getting the right kids. They're building a model program."
-Rick Pitino, Donovan's former coach/boss/mentor, talking about Billy The Kid
"All the swagger that usually defines the tradition-heavy Bruins belonged to Florida. The Gators dunked with abandon, leaving humiliated defenders in their wake."
-Sports Illustrated
"The only experience I tried to use from 2000 was, you've got to want this night to last as long as you can. You've got to want them to put more time on the clock. You've got to love playing. You're playing a game right now, living each moment. Play each moment."
- Billy Donovan, UF head basketball coach
"What really helps is that they have guys around them that can play. Corey Brewer is great. Taurean Green had an off-shooting night, but he controlled the tempo and did exactly what a point guard is supposed to do."
-Jordan Farmar, UCLA Guard
"UCLA was so lacking answers that coach Ben Howland had to use three stop-the-bleeding timeouts and a fourth to get his team's breath back in the game's first 24 minutes."
- Pat Forde, ESPN
"He's impossible to guard, he can do so many things. He really is the key for us."
- Adrian Moss on Corey Brewer
"It was a workmanlike performance, he really does mean so much more for us than points."
- Assistant Coach Donnie Jones on Taurean Green
"A junior nicknamed Hump and Humpty Dumpty, he hit his fourth 3-pointer with about two minutes to play. His final shot followed an array of dunks and layups, but was a fitting end for a player who might have been the key to Florida's championship season."
- Sports Illustrated
"They have athleticism. They shoot the ball well. More important, they play as a team. They don't just have one guy jacking up shots."
-Ryan Hollins, UCLA Center
"We imposed our will. It's impossible to double our bigs [centers and forwards] because we have such great outside shooters. But if you play our bigs one-on-one, they'll kill you. You pick your poison."
- Adrian Moss
Hopefully I will get some non cellphone pics up here when my girlfriend uploads the pics from her camera.
I knew it would be something special this year, but I didn't know that my Gators would bring home the National Championship my junior year here. There is nothing better than your alma mater winning the national title. GO GATORS!!
