Swamp Things: A podcast about the Florida Gators Swamp Things: Florida Gators Show

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)