Hello again, Gator Basketball. Nice to have you back.

Oh, how I've missed good basketball. After our back-to-back championship runs in 2006 and 2007, our little basketball program has had back-to-back seasons of disappointment. Not abysmal, but bad. Sad. Lame. Pathetic. Our student section has lacked a little pep. Our coaches have lacked a little enthusiasm. Our players have lacked a little heart. No more, my friends. No more.

Are these boys as good as the '04s? No. They are not. They do not have Al Horford's presence. They do not have Taurean Green's innate ability to see the entire floor. They do not have Corey Brewer's freakish defensive skills. They do not have Joakim Noah's hair. They do, however, have promise.

It has been pure bliss to watch these boys play so far this season. Erving Walker is the scrappiest player I've seen in years. Kenny Boynton can pass, shoot, and defend equally well. Vernon Macklin is starting to live up to his big man hype. And more importantly, they play well with everybody else. Dan Werner and Chandler Parsons contribute to the team without stealing the spotlight. Alex Tyus reliably rebounds and shoots without ego. And they ALL PASS THE BALL. So many plays hinge on the extra pass to the open shooter. This team, this year, seems to know when to hit the three and when to dish to a friend. That kind of teamwork is what made us number one three years ago. And it's what's been missing the last two years.

Watching them beat Michigan State on tv was the best feeling I've had (aside from Saturday Night Live) since the Final Four in Atlanta in 2007. Better than passing the Bar Exam. Better than graduating from law school. Better than my birthday. Because the Gators are back. And nothing is better than really good basketball.

[Peremptory disclaimer re: tomorrow night's game against Syracuse...I'm pleased with this team regardless of the outcome of this game. (This is to head off a certain Tar Heel's critique should a loss occur) That being said, I hope the gators destroy the Orange tomorrow, and every other team between now and April 5, 2010. I could always use another national chompionship shirt.]