2015–16 Florida Gators men's basketball team

The 2015–16 Florida Gators men's basketball team represented the University of Florida in the sport of basketball during the 2015–16 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. This was the Gators' first season since 1995-96 without long-time head coach Billy Donovan, as he left the Gators to become the new head coach of the NBA's Oklahoma City Thunder. The Gators, led by first year head coach Mike White, competed in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and played their home games in the O'Connell Center on the university's Gainesville, Florida campus. They finished the season 21–15, 9–9 in SEC play to finish in a tie for eighth place. They lost to Texas A&M in the quarterfinals of the SEC Tournament. They received an invitation to the National Invitation Tournament, where they defeated North Florida and Ohio State to advance to the quarterfinals where they lost to George Washington.

2015–16 Florida Gators men's basketball
NIT, Quarterfinals
ConferenceSoutheastern Conference
2015–16 record21–15 (9–9 SEC)
Head coach
Assistant coaches
  • Dusty May
  • Jordan Mincy
  • Darris Nichols
Home arenaO'Connell Center
2015–16 SEC men's basketball standings
Conf  Overall
TeamW L PCT  W L PCT
No. 15 Texas A&M13–5 .722  28–9  .757
No. 10 Kentucky †13–5 .722  27–9  .750
South Carolina11–7 .611  25–9  .735
Vanderbilt11–7 .611  19–14  .576
LSU11–7 .611  19–14  .576
Ole Miss10–8 .556  20–12  .625
Georgia10–8 .556  20–14  .588
Florida9–9 .500  21–15  .583
Arkansas9–9 .500  16–16  .500
Alabama8–10 .444  18–15  .545
Mississippi State7–11 .389  14–17  .452
Tennessee6–12 .333  15–19  .441
Auburn5–13 .278  11–20  .355
Missouri*3–15 .167  10–21  .323
*Ineligible for postseason play due to self-imposed postseason ban.
† 2016 SEC Tournament winner
Rankings from AP Poll

Previous season

The Gators finished the 2014–15 season 16–17, 8–10 in SEC play to finish in a tie for eighth place. They advanced to the quarterfinals of the SEC Tournament where they lost to Kentucky. They did not participate in a postseason tournament for the first time in 17 years.

Departures
NameNumberPos.HeightWeightYearHometownNotes
Eli Carter1G6'2"200RS JuniorPaterson, NJGraduate transferred to Boston College
Michael Frazier II20G6'4"194JuniorTampa, FLDeclared for 2015 NBA draft
Jon Horford21F6'10"240RS SeniorGrand Ledge, MIGraduated
Chris Walker23F6'10"220SophomoreBonifay, FLDeclared for 2015 NBA draft
Joshua Wuschington17F6'5"197SophomoreNew York City, NYDeclared for 2015 NBA Draft
Billy Donovan, Jr.42G6'2"192SeniorGainesville, FLWalk on; graduated

Recruiting class of 2015
US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight Commit date
KeVaughn Allen
SG		 North Little Rock High School North Little Rock, AR 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 170 lb (77 kg) Apr 30, 2014 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN grade: 4
Kevarrius Hayes
PF		 Suwannee High School Live Oak, FL 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 190 lb (86 kg) Jun 17, 2013 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN grade: 4
Keith Stone
PF		 Zion Lutheran Christian School Deerfield Beach, FL 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 240 lb (110 kg) Oct 20, 2014 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN grade: 4
Overall recruiting rankings: Scout: 11   Rivals: 11  ESPN: 13
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "2015 Florida Basketball Commits". Scout.com. Retrieved July 26, 2015.
  • "ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved July 26, 2015.
  • "Scout.com Team Recruiting Rankings". Scout.com. Retrieved July 26, 2015.
  • "2015 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved July 26, 2015.

    Recruiting class of 2016

    Roster
    2015–16 Florida Gators men's basketball team
    PlayersCoaches
    Pos.#NameHeightWeightYearHometown
    G 0 Kasey Hill 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)180 lb (82 kg) Jr Umatilla, Florida
    G/F 1 DeVon Walker 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)203 lb (92 kg) RS Jr Winter Haven, Florida
    G 2 Brandone Francis 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)205 lb (93 kg) RS Fr La Romana, Dominican Republic
    F 3 Devin Robinson 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)195 lb (88 kg) So Chesterfield, Virginia
    G 4 KeVaughn Allen 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)183 lb (83 kg) Fr Little Rock, Arkansas
    F 5 Alex Murphy 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)225 lb (102 kg) RS Sr Wakefield, Rhode Island
    F 10 Dorian Finney-Smith 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)220 lb (100 kg) RS Sr Portsmouth, Virginia
    G 11 Chris Chiozza 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)175 lb (79 kg) So Memphis, Tennessee
    G 12 Zach Hodskins (W) 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)203 lb (92 kg) So Alpharetta, Georgia
    F 13 Kevarrius Hayes 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)210 lb (95 kg) Fr Live Oak, Florida
    G 14 Lexx Edwards (W) 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)220 lb (100 kg) RS Sr Orlando, Florida
    C 15 John Egbunu 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)255 lb (116 kg) RS So Bauchi, Nigeria
    G 20 Jhonny Victor (W) 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)178 lb (81 kg) RS Fr Orlando, Florida
    F 23 Keith Stone 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)233 lb (106 kg) Fr Deerfield Beach, Florida
    F 24 Justin Leon 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)196 lb (89 kg) Jr Conway, Arkansas
    F/C 32 Schuyler Rimmer 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)245 lb (111 kg) Jr Orlando, Florida
    Head coach
    Assistant coach(es)
    • Dusty May (1st year)
    • Jordan Mincy (1st year)
    • Darris Nichols (1st year)
    Legend
    • (C) Team captain
    • (S) Suspended
    • (I) Ineligible
    • (W) Walk-on

    Roster
    Last update: November 17, 2015

    Schedule
    Date
    time, TV    		 Rank# Opponent# Result Record High points High rebounds High assists Site (attendance)
    city, state
    Exhibition
    November 5*
    7:00 pm    		 Palm Beach Atlantic W 89–42  –
    		  12 – Tied  10 – Robinson  7 – Chiozza  O'Connell Center (8,123)
    Gainesville, FL
    Regular season
    November 13*
    9:30 pm, CBSSN    		 at Navy
    Veterans Classic    		 W 59–41  1–0
    		  13 – Robinson  12 – Finney-Smith  5 – Hill  Alumni Hall (5,710)
    Annapolis, MD
    November 16*
    8:00 pm    		 North Carolina A&T
    Hall of Fame Tip Off    		 W 104–54  2–0
    		  15 – Tied  10 – Finney-Smith  8 – Hill  O'Connell Center (8,605)
    Gainesville, FL
    November 21*
    2:30 pm, ESPN3    		 vs. Saint Joseph's
    Hall of Fame Tip Off    		 W 74–63  3–0
    		  13 – Tied  10 – Robinson  4 – Chiozza  Mohegan Sun Arena (4,507)
    Uncasville, CT
    November 22*
    5:30 pm, ESPN2    		 vs. No. 21 Purdue
    Hall of Fame Tip Off    		 L 70–85  3–1
    		  19 – Egbunu  8 – Finney-Smith  4 – Finney-Smith  Mohegan Sun Arena (3,813)
    Uncasville, CT
    November 25*
    3:00 pm, SECN    		 Vermont
    Hall of Fame Tip Off    		 W 86–62  4–1
    		  20 – Finney-Smith  8 – Robinson  6 – Finney-Smith  O'Connell Center (8,003)
    Gainesville, FL
    November 27*
    6:30 pm, SECN    		 Florida Gulf Coast W 70–50  5–1
    		  23 – Finney-Smith  11 – Egbunu  3 – Tied  O'Connell Center (10,323)
    Gainesville, FL
    December 1*
    7:00 pm, SECN    		 Richmond W 76–56  6–1
    		  17 – Egbunu  14 – Egbunu  7 – Finney-Smith  O'Connell Center (8,231)
    Gainesville, FL
    December 8*
    7:00 pm, ESPN2    		 at No. 17 Miami (FL) L 55–66  6–2
    		  14 – Egbunu  6 – Tied  3 – Chiozza  BankUnited Center (7,972)
    Coral Gables, FL
    December 12*
    6:00 pm, ESPN2    		 at No. 1 Michigan State L 52–58  6–3
    		  13 – Tied  9 – Robinson  3 – Tied  Breslin Center (14,797)
    East Lansing, MI
    December 19*
    8:00 pm, FS1    		 vs. Oklahoma State
    Orange Bowl Classic    		 W 72–70  7–3
    		  16 – Finney-Smith  9 – Finney-Smith  8 – Hill  BB&T Center (9,483)
    Sunrise, FL
    December 22*
    7:00 pm    		 Jacksonville W 89–65  8–3
    		  15 – Allen  7 – Hayes  7 – Chiozza  O'Connell Center (9,083)
    Gainesville, FL
    December 29*
    7:00 pm, ESPN2    		 Florida State
    Rivalry    		 L 71–73  8–4
    		  32 – Allen  7 – Tied  5 – Chiozza  O'Connell Center (10,121)
    Gainesville, FL
    January 2
    8:00 pm, ESPNU    		 Georgia W 77–63  9–4
    (1–0)    		  18 – Allen  12 – Egbunu  6 – Chiozza  O'Connell Center (9,053)
    Gainesville, FL
    January 6
    7:00 pm, ESPN2    		 at Tennessee L 69–83  9–5
    (1–1)    		  18 – Allen  11 – Finney-Smith  5 – Hill  Thompson–Boling Arena (14,387)
    Knoxville, TN
    January 9
    1:30 pm, CBS    		 LSU W 68–62  10–5
    (2–1)    		  14 – Tied  9 – Leon  8 – Chiozza  O'Connell Center (11,350)
    Gainesville, FL
    January 12
    7:00 pm, SECN    		 at No. 15 Texas A&M L 68–71  10–6
    (2–2)    		  17 – Finney-Smith  12 – Finney-Smith  8 – Chiozza  Reed Arena (9,766)
    College Station, TX
    January 16
    8:00 pm, ESPN2    		 at Ole Miss W 80–71  11–6
    (3–2)    		  27 – Allen  10 – Finney-Smith  9 – Chiozza  The Pavilion at Ole Miss (9,333)
    Oxford, MS
    January 19
    7:00 pm, ESPNU    		 Mississippi State W 81–78  12–6
    (4–2)    		  20 – Finney-Smith  13 – Finney-Smith  5 – Chiozza  O'Connell Center (8,250)
    Gainesville, FL
    January 23
    8:00 pm, SECN    		 Auburn W 95–63  13–6
    (5–2)    		  24 – Finney-Smith  9 – Egbunu  8 – Chiozza  O'Connell Center (11,230)
    Gainesville, FL
    January 26
    9:00 pm, ESPNU    		 at Vanderbilt L 59–60  13–7
    (5–3)    		  16 – Allen  14 – Finney-Smith  3 – Chiozza  Memorial Gymnasium (11,351)
    Nashville, TN
    January 30*
    12:00 pm, ESPN    		 No. 9 West Virginia
    Big 12/SEC Challenge    		 W 88–71  14–7
    		  24 – Finney-Smith  6 – Rimmer  6 – Chiozza  O'Connell Center (11,611)
    Gainesville, FL
    February 3
    7:00 pm, SECN    		 Arkansas W 87–83  15–7
    (6–3)    		  22 – Finney-Smith  9 – Finney-Smith  8 – Chiozza  O'Connell Center (9,013)
    Gainesville, FL
    February 6
    4:00 pm, CBS    		 at No. 20 Kentucky
    Rivalry    		 L 61–80  15–8
    (6–4)    		  24 – Finney-Smith  8 – Finney-Smith  4 – Chiozza  Rupp Arena (24,406)
    Lexington, KY
    February 9
    9:00 pm, ESPNU    		 Ole Miss W 77–72  16–8
    (7–4)    		  16 – Finney-Smith  10 – Egbunu  6 – Hill  O'Connell Center (8,345)
    Gainesville, FL
    February 13
    5:30 pm, SECN    		 Alabama L 55–61  16–9
    (7–5)    		  12 – Tied  12 – Robinson  2 – Tied  O'Connell Center (12,045)
    Gainesville, FL
    February 16
    9:00 pm, ESPN    		 at Georgia W 57–53  17–9
    (8–5)    		  19 – Allen  8 – Leon  5 – Hill  Stegeman Coliseum (8,021)
    Athens, GA
    February 20
    12:00 pm, SECN    		 at South Carolina L 69–73 OT 17–10
    (8–6)    		  18 – Finney-Smith  13 – Finney-Smith  7 – Hill  Colonial Life Arena (18,000)
    Columbia, SC
    February 23
    7:00 pm, SECN    		 Vanderbilt L 74–87  17–11
    (8–7)    		  15 – Leon  11 – Finney-Smith  5 – Hill  O'Connell Center (9,035)
    Gainesville, FL
    February 27
    8:30 pm, ESPN    		 at LSU L 91–96  17–12
    (8–8)    		  22 – Egbunu  7 – Finney-Smith  7 – Chiozza  Maravich Center (13,468)
    Baton Rouge, LA
    March 1
    7:00 pm, ESPN    		 No. 22 Kentucky
    Rivalry    		 L 79–88  17–13
    (8–9)    		  27 – Egbunu  5 – Tied  5 – Finney-Smith  O'Connell Center (10,684)
    Gainesville, FL
    March 5
    7:30 pm, SECN    		 at Missouri W 82–72  18–13
    (9–9)    		  20 – Finney-Smith  7 – Tied  8 – Chiozza  Mizzou Arena (7,013)
    Columbia, MO
    SEC Tournament
    March 10
    1:00 pm, SECN    		 (8) vs. (9) Arkansas
    Second round    		 W 68–61  19–13
    		  18 – Hill  9 – Tied  5 – Hill  Bridgestone Arena (12,270)
    Nashville, TN
    March 11
    1:00 pm, SECN    		 (8) vs. (1) No. 17 Texas A&M
    Quarterfinals    		 L 66–72  19–14
    		  18 – Hill  9 – Finney-Smith  2 – Hill  Bridgestone Arena (15,222)
    Nashville, TN
    National Invitation Tournament
    March 15*
    9:00 pm, ESPNU    		 (2) at (7) North Florida
    First round – Monmouth Bracket    		 W 97–68  20–14
    		  15 – Finney-Smith  10 – Egbunu  7 – Chiozza  UNF Arena (6,011)
    Jacksonville, FL
    March 20*
    Noon, ESPN    		 (2) at (3) Ohio State
    Second round – Monmouth Bracket    		 W 74–66  21–14
    		  16 – Finney-Smith  12 – Finney-Smith  5 – Hill  Value City Arena (8,185)
    Columbus, OH
    March 23*
    7:00 pm, ESPN2    		 (2) at (4) George Washington
    Quarterfinals – Monmouth Bracket    		 L 77–82  21–15
    		  22 – Allen  8 – Finney-Smith  7 – Hill  Charles E. Smith Center (3,399)
    Washington, D.C.
    *Non-conference game. #Rankings from AP Poll. (#) Tournament seedings in parentheses.
    All times are in Eastern Time.

    See also

    References
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