Tampa subregional

Florida

LOCATION: Gainesville

ENROLLMENT: 45,937

CONFERENCE: Southeastern

TOURNAMENT BID: At-large

SEED: 2

STRENGTHS: Florida wants to get into a transition game and run slower, less athletic opponents out of the gym. The Gators also can use depth of nine quality players to wear down limited teams. Donovan says Florida's biggest strength is 3-point shooting, though the shots haven't been falling as well in the past three games. With four players shooting better than 40 percent from 3-point range and four shooting better than 50 percent from the field, when Florida is on it can be tough to beat. Donovan is the only active coach in the NCAA who played, was an assistant and a coach of a team that played in the Final Four. Seniors Bonner, Nelson and Hamilton played in the 2000 national championship game, and this is their fourth consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance.

WEAKNESSES: Fear the close game. UF has lost three straight and seems to resemble the proverbial deer in the headlights at crunch time. Florida needs to develop a killer instinct, letting too many opponents stay close after getting double digit leads early. Lee is out of position, which makes the post game susceptible.

WHAT TO EXPECT: The Gators should cruise through the first round, but its second-round success likely hinges on the health of Bonner, who is suffering from plantar fasciitis and a muscle strain in his right foot. If Donovan's prediction is correct and Bonner can't come back and play on one day's rest, Florida could be in trouble. He's the leading scorer, but more importantly a big part of the senior leadership, which will be sorely needed on a team with six freshmen. Watch out for Colorado. Florida certainly will be motivated for a rematch of the 2000 national championship game against Michigan State, but the Buffs have all the ingredients of a Butler, Gonzaga or a Creighton, who all got to wear glass slippers after playing Cinderella against the Gators.

HE SAID IT: "It's one and done time. We lose one more, nobody's going to be talking about what's wrong. -- Roberson on the Gators' three-game losing streak heading into the NCAA Tournament.

"Everybody has to start playing with a sense of urgency. If not, the next time we lose our season will be over." -- Bonner

-- Compiled by Antonya English

The starters and coach

Matt Bonner

FORWARD, 6-10 SENIOR

15.4 ppg, 6.1 rpg

The big man can run the floor, handle the ball and has a soft touch. He has led the Gators in scoring 16 times this season.

Matt Walsh

FORWARD, 6-6 FRESHMAN

13.0 ppg, 4.6 rpg

He has started every game and has scored in double figures in 16. He is a 43 percent shooter from 3-point range and is a strong rebounder.

David Lee

CENTER, 6-9 SOPHOMORE

10.8 ppg, 6.9 rpg

He is a strong rebounder and big man who is difficult to guard because of his ability to shoot from outside and drive.

Justin Hamilton

GUARD, 6-3 SENIOR

8.1 ppg, 3.8 apg

He concentrates on running the floor and playing defense. So he averages just more than eight points but can score when needed.

Anthony Roberson

GUARD, 6-1 FRESHMAN

12.8 ppg, 2.6 rpg

The SEC freshman of the year has struggled of late but insists it hasn't affected his confidence. Defense is his weakness.

Coach: Billy Donovan

RECORD: 148-72 seventh season at Florida; 183-92, nine seasons.

One of only six coaches to play and coach in a Final Four, his eight Tournament wins is more than Florida's total before he arrived.

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