Billy Donovan
Billy Donovan
William John Donovan, Jr.is an American professional basketball coach who is currently the head coach of the Oklahoma City Thunder of the National Basketball Association. He previously spent 19 seasons at the University of Florida, where his Florida Gators men's basketball teams won two NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championships in 2006 and 2007. Donovan has more wins than any other coach in the history of the Florida basketball program, and he coached the Gators to more NCAA tournament appearances,...
ProfessionCoach
Date of Birth30 May 1965
CityRockville Centre, NY
against discourage eventually guys help lane pick post single time tried
If you do the same thing against those guys every single time down the floor, they're eventually just going to pick you apart. So we just tried to change. We tried to get some weak-side help sometimes. We got up in the lane to try to discourage post feeds. We tried to get around and front.
against basketball early everybody four knew last played playing six stretch talented teams toughest
If you look at our last four to six games, everybody knew it was going to be the toughest part and stretch of our schedule. Our basketball team, when we had all that early success, I don't know if we've played against teams as talented as we're playing against now.
guys handled impressive inside national played plenty talent team win year
If you look at Carmelo Anthony, to me what was so impressive was how he handled himself. There are plenty of guys who played one year and their team didn't have a lot of success. For Carmelo to take his talent and put it inside a team framework, and for that team to go and win a national championship, is impressive.
played won
In the first half, offensively, we were just OK. We won because we played well defensively and we rebounded pretty well.
best fit good guys hard job jumping program sudden sure work
In recruiting, I don't ever feel like all of a sudden guys are now jumping to come to Florida. You still have to work hard and do a good job of evaluating and making sure you get guys who you feel would be best fit for the program and fit in well with teammates.
four hand league playing quality teams tournament
In our league with the quality of teams and playing four consecutive nights, I think for any team it's a disadvantage. But you go into the tournament with the hand you're dealt.
team together
I really thought that this team would play together and give me everything they have, and they've done that.
coming fresh hope maybe second seven sticking wear
I really thought that maybe they were not as fresh coming down the stretch. That was kind of our hope in the second half, that maybe we could try to wear them down because they were really sticking with their seven guys.
believe difference elite felt good means seed time trying
I really don?t believe that seeding means a whole lot or makes a whole lot of difference anymore. It used to be a time where you got that No. 1 or No. 2 seed and you felt pretty good about trying to get to that Elite Eight. I think those times have changed.
athletic game
His game is slashing, driving, getting into the lane. He made some spectacular, athletic plays.
against exciting focus game mistakes past tendency weaknesses win
Because the game was close, our weaknesses got magnified. We had the same weaknesses against Kentucky, but when you win by 17 ... you have a tendency to look past all the mistakes and focus on all the exciting plays.
knew team
I knew this would be a team that would play hard.
assistant blessed coaches everybody happy opportunity thankful
I'm just happy for everybody -- the administration, the players, the assistant coaches and the fans. I'm very blessed and very thankful for the opportunity to coach these kids.
attacked best blessed chance coach defense happy opportunity thankful whoever winning
I'm just happy for everybody. I'm very blessed and very thankful for the opportunity to coach these kids. I thought whoever attacked the other team's defense better was going to have the best chance of winning the game.