Swamp Things: Florida Gators Show

Swamp Things: Florida Gators Show

The latest on Florida Gators football, basketball and more featuring Orlando Sentinel sports writer Edgar Thompson.

  • 1 hour 7 minutes
    Olympic sports programs shine, Cormani McClain comes home (Ep. 225)

    It’s that time of year for the Gators, when Florida’s Olympic sports seize center stage. Parker Valby put on a show in the 5,000 at SEC track and field championships, lacrosse is Final Four bound, men’s golf pushes to defend its 2023 national title and softball is poised for another deep postseason run. Baseball is the only struggling spring sport, but Jac Caglianone is giving fans something to celebrate. After a long hiatus, Mark and Edgar return to discuss it all, along with a little football and hoops, during a robust edition of Swamp Things.

    • Football loss (:52)
    • Absurd staffing (8:39)
    • Billy Napier building depth (10:42)
    • Settlement coming (19:33)
    • Stadium naming rights (26:11)
    • Track and Field (28:59)
    • Baseball (38:12)
    • Women’s lacrosse (42:46)
    • Softball (50:05)
    • Men’s basketball (54:12)
    • Sports information news (58:45)
    17 May 2024, 8:35 pm
  • 46 minutes 20 seconds
    Todd Golden lands intriguing transfers, Jaden Rashada delivers early football portal drama, Cags’ record HR streak ends

    Basketball coach Todd Golden’s roster overhaul picked up the pace, highlighted by the arrival of  FAU guard Alijah Martin. Billy Napier’s first week in the transfer portal was quieter, but time remains for the Gators to fill some gaps. The real drama involved former quarterback recruit Jaden Rashada, who is on the move again. Meanwhile, slugger Jac Caglione is moving up the school’s all-time home runs lists, while serving as a bright spot for Kevin O’Sullivan’s struggling squad. During the latest Swamp Things, Edgar and Mark step up to the plate to deliver insight and opinion on a cornucopia of topics.

    • Men’s basketball: NBA dreams ended (:51)
    • Intrigued by latest transfer (6:51)
    • Boozer twins visiting (10:41)
    • Football: Jaden Rashada back on market (13:07)
    • Future of transfer portal (15:09)
    • In need of receiver help (19:08)
    • Big and physical up front (21:39)
    • Billy Napier on Graham Mertz (24:03)
    • Napier on play calling (28:50)
    • Baseball: Any hope for Sully’s squad? (39:17)
    • Jeremy Foley’s Corner (42:29)
    23 April 2024, 9:27 pm
  • 45 minutes 7 seconds
    Spring game takeaways, Todd Golden begins roster reload (Ep. 223)

    Florida’s spring game was an improvement on 2023 and gave fans their first look at Billy Napier’s 2024 team. Those on hand left with reasons for optimism entering the offseason of a pivotal Year 3. Meanwhile, Todd Golden picked up his first commit, Chattanooga transfer Sam Alexis of Apopka, as he restocks UF’s roster during a busy offseason. During the latest Swamp Things, Mark and Edgar share their many takeaways from the spring game and discuss the challenge of coaching basketball in the age of the transfer portal.

    • Blue beat Orange 19-17 (:00)
    • Players that stood out (4:23)
    • DJ Lagway raised level of play (9:23)
    • Jadan Baugh & George Gumbs show promise (11:26)
    • Billy being Billy (18:13)
    • Offensive line looked impressive (21:00)
    • Special Teams woes (23:33)
    • Reality checks: Exit interviews (27:26)
    • Men’s basketball (35:11)
    • Women’s basketball (39:00)
    • Baseball (40:00)
    • Jeremy Foley’s Corner (42:46)
    16 April 2024, 4:33 pm
  • 54 minutes 31 seconds
    Spring game arrives, basketball season concludes, baseball team collapses (Ep. 222)

    Florida’s spring game is set for Saturday in the Swamp. Fans get their first chance to see the Gators in action following a 5-7 season and sweeping offseason changes to Billy Napier’s roster and staff. While spring football nears the finish line, the college basketball concluded with UConn and South Carolina living up to the hype and potentially establishing dynasties. Meanwhile, John Calipari left behind one of the game’s bluebloods at Kentucky to stay a step ahead of the posse in Big Blue Nation. During the latest Swamp Things, Mark and Edgar try to stay a step ahead to provide insight into what to look for this weekend.

    • Spring Game: Billy Napier goals (:00)
    • Receiving core (6:00)
    • Returners to watch (11:47)
    • True freshmen to watch (15:44)
    • DJ Lagway struggles (18:26)
    • Transfer expectations (20:52)
    • Get fanbase excited (24:54)
    • NCAA Tournament (29:50)
    • Growth of women’s basketball (37:30)
    • Baseball (40:10)
    • Coaching moves (45:50)
    • Jeremy Foley’s Corner (51:20)
    10 April 2024, 4:55 pm
  • 1 hour 4 minutes
    Spring football enters homestretch, UConn aims to supplant ‘04s, women’s sports seize centerstage (Ep. 221)

    Florida football is amid a two-week stretch Billy Napier calls “critical” to his program’s turnaround. The Gators have two scrimmages, including the spring game, to sharpen their focus entering the offseason. Meanwhile, the biggest weekend in college basketball takes center stage, with UConn looking to become the first back-to-back champion since the 2006 and 2007 Gators. But Iowa’s Caitlin Clark has stolen the show during March Madness and helped elevate the women’s games to new heights. During the latest Swamp Things, Edgar and Mark try to bring their A game ahead of a big sports weekend.

    • Critical 2-week stretch (1:02)
    • DJ Lagway vs Graham Mertz (4:04)
    • Billy Napier needs to get fans excited (15:54)
    • Ricky Pearsall replacement? (19:56)
    • Chimere Dike’s role (25:14)
    • Mr. Intensity (30:45)
    • Biggest weekend college basketball (33:37)
    • Women’s sports (51:23)
    • Baseball (59:00)
    • Jeremy Foley’s Corner (1:02:00)
    5 April 2024, 5:20 pm
  • 54 minutes 7 seconds
    Riley Kugel bails after Florida’s NCAA exit, Gators stage spring football’s first scrimmage, softball back on track (Ep. 220)

    Kugel returned to school expected to be a star. Instead, he endured a stunning sophomore slump ending with his much-anticipated transfer less than week after UF’s NCAA Tournament loss. Todd Golden now pushes to match last spring’s transfer portal success and maintain the Gators’ upward trajectory. Meanwhile, Billy Napier’s squad will stage its first spring scrimmage with an overhauled staff and roster. Across campus, Tim Walton’s softball program is back to it winning ways as SEC play heats up. Mark and Edgar bring the heat on various fronts during a busy time for the Gators.

    • Riley Kugel moving on (:00)
    • What does Todd Golden need to do? (14:31)
    • Finding funding to fill court (25:25)
    • Napier putting pieces together (31:44)
    • Players that look the part (36:11)
    • Stop with excuses (40:53)
    • Trevor Etienne 'teaching moments' (44:51)
    • Jeremy Foley's Corner (49:31)
    29 March 2024, 6:16 pm
  • 55 minutes 41 seconds
    Gators back at the Big Dance, Pro Day’s indictment of Dan Mullen, gymnastics team seeks 3-peat  (Ep. 219)

    Florida is back in the NCAA Tournament for the first time in three years and capable of a deep run if the pieces fall into place as Todd Golden’s team looks to continue the program’s Year 2 turnaround. Back in Gainesville, the Gators’ Pro Day was an all-time dud, highlighting the lack of depth Billy Napier inherited from Dan Mullen. Meanwhile, Jenny Rowland’s gymnastics program remains as steady as any on campus and heads to the SEC Championships seeking a three-peat. During the latest Swamp Things, Edgar and Mark look to stick the landing while discussing another busy week for the Gators.

    • NCAA Tournament (1:28)
    • Gators could make run or lose in 1st round (7:08)
    • Mismatch in Gator’s favor (12:13)
    • X factors: Riley Kugal and Will Richard (16:07)
    • Iowa Women’s Basketball: Caitlin Clark (19:03)
    • UF’s Pro Day (26:02)
    • Billy Napier’s staff (35:51)
    • Jeremy Foley’s Corner (47:45)
    21 March 2024, 7:12 pm
  • 49 minutes 21 seconds
    Money, money, money 
 Will Gators investment in Todd Golden, Billy Napier pay off? (Ep. 218)

    Florida is all-in on coaches Todd Golden and Billy Napier, giving Golden a contract extension on the eve of the SEC tournament and increasing the recruiting budget 45% for Napier’s football program. Golden has revived the men’s basketball program and re-energized the fan base. A postseason run would punctuate the Gators’ direction. Resources have never been the problem with Napier. Results have been. During the latest Swamp Things, Mark and Edgar try to make sense of all the dollars being invested.

    • Todd Golden rewarded (:00) Men’s basketball getting it done (6:45) Football: Recruiting budget (14:50) Assistant coach contracts (21:16) Spring football (26:13) Pro Day (32:58) DEI programs cut (39:07) Jeremy Foley’s Corner (43:50)
    15 March 2024, 6:45 pm
  • 52 minutes 12 seconds
    Spring football kicks off and Gators men’s basketball kicks Bama butt (Ep. 217)

    Billy Napier’s third season in Gainesville is unofficially underway with the start of spring football practices. During the next six weeks, a remade roster and staff will push to turn the page on consecutive losing seasons and search for answers, leaders, playmakers and momentum. Meanwhile, Todd Golden’s Gators are ahead of schedule and poised to make a postseason statement. During the latest Swamp Things, Edgar and Mark have plenty to say during the start of a big month for Florida’s two premiere programs.

    • Billy Napier optimistic (:35)
    • Insight into Napier (5:50)
    • Graham Mertz getting comfortable (9:56)
    • Chimere Dike and receiving core (14:29)
    • New strength coach (22:08)
    • Criticism mounting (34:02)
    • What is end game? (42:27)
    • Men’s basketball (44:10)
    • Women’s basketball (48:17)
    • Jeremy Foley’s Corner (48:46)
    8 March 2024, 4:27 pm
  • 1 hour 5 minutes
    Gators enter March Madness poised for postseason run, spring football on the horizon (Ep. 216)

    Florida reached 20 wins in men’s basketball for the first time since 2018 as Todd Golden’s program pushes to make a postseason run. But with three regular-season games to go, the Gators continue to show a lack of killer instinct while the mystery of Riley Kugel continues. Meanwhile, Billy Napier’s third season in Gainesville begins in earnest with the opening spring practices March 7. UF will have many new faces and faces plenty of questions as Napier aims to set a new course for his struggling program. During the latest Swamp Things, Mark and Edgar tackle plenty of topics during a busy time for the Gators.

    • O’Dome stench (0:00)
    • Gators defeat Missouri (9:30)
    • Riley Kugel mystery (12:00)
    • Billy Napier’s Herculean task (18:10)
    • Ben Sasse’s thoughts (24:58)
    • Off-season attrition (29:10)
    • DJ Lagway  concern (31:11)
    • Other storylines (34:47)
    • NFL combine (38:36)
    • Napier’s absence (42:40)
    • Fixing college football (49:30)
    • Jeremy Foley’s Corner (1:01:32)
    29 February 2024, 10:11 pm
  • 53 minutes 58 seconds
    Basketball heartbreak at Alabama, staff churn continues in football, spring sports ramp up (Ep.215)

    Florida’s upset bid in men’s basketball came up short in overtime at Alabama. Coach Todd Golden’s squad let a golden opportunity slip away, but the Gators have found their stride with March Madness on the horizon. Meanwhile, Billy Napier’s program will kick off spring football in two weeks with 30 new players and a retooled staff. After spending a week reporting from the Daytona 500, Mark and Edgar return for the latest Swamp Things to catch up with all the Gators’ goings-on, including a deluge of spring sports.

    • NASCAR: Daytona 500 (:00)
    • Men’s basketball (4:29)
    • Gator Football: Staff churn (8:46)
    • Coaches managing players (18:00)
    • Coaching possibilities (23:04)
    • Florida Victorious selling itself (29:30)
    • Recruit playing the game (43:00)
    • Jeremy Foley’s Corner (49:10)
    22 February 2024, 6:44 pm
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