Donovan likes how this team fits

For two years he has patched it together by forcing square pegs into round holes and using paper clips, string and chewing gum.

After two remarkable seasons with prototypical players, Billy Donovan's challenge was trying to figure out how to make a two play like a one and the three like a four, etc. Because when you think back to that team that won back-to-back national titles, could the starting five have been any more perfectly suited for their spots.

The manager at point guard.

The dead-eye at shooting guard.

The freak at small forward.

The wingspan at power forward.

The muscle at center.

That's what every coach is shooting for when he goes out recruiting and Donovan is no different. But for a variety of reasons, he came up short. Especially last season.

The point guard wasn't a manager but a flashy scorer.

The shooting guard was a point guard.

There was no small forward.

The power forward was a small forward forced to defend the other team's best post player most of the time.

The center was a power forward.

No wonder the Gators are coming off back-to-back NIT performances. It wasn't lack of effort. It was confused identities.

"It was definitely tough," said Chandler Parsons, who came off the bench much of the year to play out of position at power forward. "Obviously, I'm not one of the biggest, strongest, toughest guys."

But now there is this — a team where everyone is playing the position they were born to play.

Because of the arrival of freshman Kenny Boynton and the departure of Nick Calathes, Erving Walker is at point guard after a season where he asked to play shooting guard last year despite his size.

Because of the arrival of transfer Vernon Macklin, Alex Tyus is no longer being asked to trade elbows with the league's best centers. Which in turn allows Parsons and Dan Werner to move out to the wings.

Ones playing at the one, twos at the two, threes at the three, etc.

What a concept.

"I feel like we have a new team," Donovan said, "even though the players are somewhat similar."

There is reason for optimism in the Gator camp after the two seasons that were sub-par (although they wouldn't have been before Donovan's arrival on campus). Much of that optimism, despite a woefully-thin backcourt, revolves around the checkers Donovan is playing with.

Instead of trying to figure out how in the world he was going to solve all of his matchup problems, he can walk out on the court with a gameplan that is much more conventional.

"We have more of a stereotypical team now," Tyus said. "It will make guys a lot more comfortable."

Nobody was less comfortable than Tyus a year ago as he tried to handle centers in the SEC.

"It was tough," Tyus said. "Going up against guys bigger than you with a small margin for error near the basket. It was tough."

But this is a new year and, as Donovan said, almost a new team. It should be one that is a lot easier on the eyes and should eventually regenerate the fickle fan base that is Florida basketball.

I can tell when Donovan is excited about a season and when he knows it's going to be a struggle. He's fired up for this one. He knows the league is going to be tougher. But he knows he has a lot more potential for answers.

"We have some guys we can plug in there," he said.

Which is a lot different than trying to plug a leak.

Contact Pat Dooley at 352-374-5053 or at dooleyp@gvillesun.com and follow at http://Twitter.com/Pat_Dooley.