UF coach Mike White made himself and his players wait until the suspense was too much to bear.
When the doors finally opened Tuesday and the ribbon-cutting ceremony was complete, the renovated O'Connell Center did not disappoint.
In fact, White and the Gators did not even recognize their new digs following a $64.5-million facelift that forced them to play the first 11 games this season on the road.
"It's crazy," point guard Chris Chiozza said. "It looks like a totally new place. I'm excited to get in here tomorrow and play."
White could not contain his excitement for the remade arena, either.