Expect an NCAA tournament-like atmosphere when No. 8 Arizona hosts No. 5
Florida in a battle of unbeatens on Saturday. The Gators head into
enemy territory likely to face the loudest crowd it will see all season.
So far they've been up to every challenge. Florida has only trailed in
two games this season and for a grand total of just over six minutes of
playing time. The Gators are looking to start 8-0 for the third time
under coach Billy Donovan and the first since 2009. The 2005-06 national
championship team started the season 17-0. Arizona will try to run
against the staunch defense of Florida. The Wildcats, coming off a win
at Clemson, are averaging 79.3 points. A year ago Florida edged visiting
Arizona 78-72 in overtime. Donovan, however, said the Wildcats are much
better this year in part due to the inside presence of seven-footer
Kaleb Tarczewski, a menacing freshman defender.
TV: 10 p.m. ET. ESPN
ABOUT FLORIDA (7-0): The
Gators' average margin of victory this season is 25 points and that
includes wins over Wisconsin and Marquette. But Donovan downplayed his
team's sizzling start, stating that the impressive early-season wins
came against teams which were in the midst of rebuilding. Still, there's
no disputing that Florida has been dominant. Its closest game was a
79-66 win over Central Florida and the Gators pounded rival Florida
State on the road last time out. Kenny Boynton leads the deep and
experienced squad in scoring (14.4) while shooting 90 percent from the
free-throw line. Florida ranks second in the nation in scoring defense,
allowing just 48.3 points a game.
ABOUT ARIZONA (7-0):
Shooting guard Nick Johnson leads the Cats in most categories. The
explosive leaper is averaging 13.6 points, 3.7 assists and 2.7 steals.
At No. 8 in the coaches' poll this is the highest that a Sean Miller-led
team has ever been ranked. The Wildcats have done a great job on the
backboards, outrebounding their last six opponents. Arizona struggled
for stretches against Clemson at one time yielding a 36-16 run. But the
Wildcats responded to close the game on a 22-7 run en route to a 66-54
victory. Arizona led last year's game at Florida by seven points with
six minutes left, but needed a pair of free throws by Solomon Hill to
force the overtime and then committed a few costly turnovers in the
extra session.
TIP-INS
1. Florida hasn't played in 10 days and has only had one full practice due to exams.
2. This is the fourth game of the NCAA season pitting two top-10 teams.
3. Florida leads the all-time series 2-1. Arizona is 20-26 all-time against SEC foes.
PREDICTION: Florida 77, Arizona 72
0
Covers preview:
Expect an NCAA tournament-like atmosphere when No. 8 Arizona hosts No. 5
Florida in a battle of unbeatens on Saturday. The Gators head into
enemy territory likely to face the loudest crowd it will see all season.
So far they've been up to every challenge. Florida has only trailed in
two games this season and for a grand total of just over six minutes of
playing time. The Gators are looking to start 8-0 for the third time
under coach Billy Donovan and the first since 2009. The 2005-06 national
championship team started the season 17-0. Arizona will try to run
against the staunch defense of Florida. The Wildcats, coming off a win
at Clemson, are averaging 79.3 points. A year ago Florida edged visiting
Arizona 78-72 in overtime. Donovan, however, said the Wildcats are much
better this year in part due to the inside presence of seven-footer
Kaleb Tarczewski, a menacing freshman defender.
TV: 10 p.m. ET. ESPN
ABOUT FLORIDA (7-0): The
Gators' average margin of victory this season is 25 points and that
includes wins over Wisconsin and Marquette. But Donovan downplayed his
team's sizzling start, stating that the impressive early-season wins
came against teams which were in the midst of rebuilding. Still, there's
no disputing that Florida has been dominant. Its closest game was a
79-66 win over Central Florida and the Gators pounded rival Florida
State on the road last time out. Kenny Boynton leads the deep and
experienced squad in scoring (14.4) while shooting 90 percent from the
free-throw line. Florida ranks second in the nation in scoring defense,
allowing just 48.3 points a game.
ABOUT ARIZONA (7-0):
Shooting guard Nick Johnson leads the Cats in most categories. The
explosive leaper is averaging 13.6 points, 3.7 assists and 2.7 steals.
At No. 8 in the coaches' poll this is the highest that a Sean Miller-led
team has ever been ranked. The Wildcats have done a great job on the
backboards, outrebounding their last six opponents. Arizona struggled
for stretches against Clemson at one time yielding a 36-16 run. But the
Wildcats responded to close the game on a 22-7 run en route to a 66-54
victory. Arizona led last year's game at Florida by seven points with
six minutes left, but needed a pair of free throws by Solomon Hill to
force the overtime and then committed a few costly turnovers in the
extra session.
TIP-INS
1. Florida hasn't played in 10 days and has only had one full practice due to exams.
2. This is the fourth game of the NCAA season pitting two top-10 teams.
3. Florida leads the all-time series 2-1. Arizona is 20-26 all-time against SEC foes.
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