Florida’s Todd Golden ‘pinching myself’ in return for NCAA regionals

SAN FRANCISCO Shoot hoops at USFs War Memorial Gym.

Eat prime rib at North Beach landmark Original Joes.

Visit Crissy Field to admire the Golden Gate Bridge.Coach Todd Golden, drawing upon his Saint Marys and USF roots, certainly knew how to show off this city to his University of Florida mens basketball team upon arriving for the NCAA Tournaments West Regional.Just landing in San Francisco (Tuesday) and driving back through the city, I had to pinch myself a little bit.

It was a full-circle moment, Golden said Wednesday at Chase Center, where top-seeded Florida (32-4) will face No.

4 Maryland (27-8) at 4:39 p.m.

in the opener of a Sweet 16 doubleheader.Golden left town only three years ago, after wrapping up his three-year tenure as USFs coach with an NCAA Tournament appearance and heading to Floridas big-time expectations.Its an amazing jump from USF, Randy Bennett, Saint Marys 24th-year coach and one of Goldens mentors, told the Bay Area News Group.

They never won the (WCC) here, and to go to the SEC and do as well as they have, its an amazing ascent.

You dont see it very often.Twenty years ago, Golden left his native Phoenix and arrived at Saint Marys as a 150-pound walk-one with what he called an irrational level of confidence that he could impact a rising program.Coach Bennett made it clear early it wouldnt be easy and I had work cut out for me, Golden said.

The big lesson playing from Coach Bennett was that his program was a meritocracy.

I walked on and he didnt care.

He wanted guys to help him win games regardless of scholarship status, height, weight.Hes running around with a red-white-and-blue headband, like USA Basketball.

Back then, it was, What are you wearing? Bennett fondly recalled.

We told him come here and well eventually move you on to scholarship, and we did.

But then he became a player, started for us as a senior on a good team.Goldens finale for the Gaels came in the NCAA Tournament, when they fell 78-64 to Miami in first-round action in Little Rock, Ark.

His second 3-pointer put Saint Marys ahead 32-25 with 1:16 before halftime, evoking memories of his 6-for-6 night from 3-point range a month earlier in an overtime home win against rival Gonzaga.That was an incredible moment, Golden recalled.

These (Florida) guys know I can shoot the ball little bit.They saw from Tuesdays shootaround at USF how much this area means to him.

He had a big smile on his face and his energy was great, guard Alijah Martin said.

Its always good to go back home.Guard Walter Clayton Jr.

said he and his teammates try to steer Golden away from reminiscing on his playing days, adding: We dont talk about it too much but we definitely know coach is a good player.Something else that isnt discussed much is the investigation Golden was under earlier this season after allegations of sexual harassment, sexual exploitation and stalking.

Independent investigators from Floridas Title IX office concluded there was no evidence Golden violated its gender-equity policy.We havent let some of the outside attention disrupt us and take us off our path, Goldens aid.

Ill continue to handle some of those situations after the season is over but for now well continue on trying to win games and make it to the Final Four.Bennett said of the investigation: I just reached out to him and asked if hes alright.

He said, Yep, Im good, so I left him alone.

I didnt dig around on it.

I just know Todds a sharp guy and a really good person.In reaching the Sweet 16 stage, Golden thanked his mentors Bennett, current Stanford coach Kyle Smith and Auburns Bruce Pearl.

Smith was a Saint Marys assistant from 2001-10 who brought Golden onto his Columbia staff in 2012-14, then Golden joined Pearl for three years before USF called.With coach definitely being young (39), he connects with us a lot more he sees our point of view on some things, Clayton said.

People talking about him being young, it put another chip on his shoulder that he could do it at a young age.Florida made it here by dethroning UConn 77-75, and the Gators bid for a sixth trip to the Final Four hinges on them first beating Maryland before a potential spot in Saturdays Elite Eight against the Arkansas-Texas Tech winner.I like his chances.

Theyre really good, Bennett said.

Hes got them playing with a confidence and a freedom.

They play at such an up-tempo, and they have a bravado about them thats hard to have this late in the season.

But they have it.

Theyre peaking at the right time.Related ArticlesBarry Tompkins: Youve got to like the oddsSports briefs: Marin Catholics Lovette set for March Madness with LehighWomens basketball: Golan, Point Loma rally past Dominican for PacWest title, NCAA berthWomens basketball: Dominican clinches title shot with victory over defending champion Azusa PacificWomens basketball: Defense key as Dominican advances to PacWest semisWhen it comes to San Franciscos sights, Goldens ultimate will be watching the Gators cutting down Chase Centers nets to cap a whirlwind visit.

Our guys have really enjoyed it.

Its an experience a lot of these guys havent had, coming all the way west and being in a great city like San Francisco, Golden said.

Were trying to soak it all up while maintaing our focus..

This article has been shared from the original article on marinij, here is the link to the original article.