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Tampa subregional
© St. Petersburg Times, published March 20, 2003
TAMPA -- Shortly after the announcement came across the television that Sam Houston State would be playing Florida in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, coach Bob Marlin's thoughts turned to Creighton.
No. 12 seed Creighton stunned the fifth-seeded Gators in double overtime in the first round last season. Marlin was an assistant under Creighton coach Dana Altman when both were at Marshall.
"We talked about (the Creighton upset of UF) with the team at the selection show," Marlin said.
The Gators lost four of their last seven heading into last year's tournament and are on a three-game losing streak. But Marlin said that's where the similarities end.
"They are a different team this year," he said. "Last year, Florida was struggling. I think they had some problems at the end of the year. It's just a different team this year. I think they're a much better team. (But) it has to be in the back of their minds (Creighton last year). It happened, it's history."
Marlin and UF coach Billy Donovan, also an ex-Marshall coach, are longtime acquaintances, and Marlin said he's happy to be playing the Gators.
"It's kind of funny because that's who I wanted to play," he said. "I like the way they play and I have a lot of respect for Billy."
BRING ON THE BUS: Make no mistake, Florida is happy to be playing in Tampa. But not just because it's an opportunity to draw a big Gator contingent at the St. Pete Times Forum.
Noooooo ... it's much more: the bus ride.
Florida has had several "bumpy" rides this season on flights to and from road games. It even was forced to spend the night in Athens after the March 4 game at Georgia due to inclement weather, and it was delayed leaving New Orleans.
"We've got a couple guys on our team who hate planes. Hate planes with a passion," reserve forward Adrian Moss said. "It's just a relief for it to be an hour and a half away, to kick back and relax on the charter bus, have something to eat, watch a movie, get a chance to relax."
FILM REALITY: Sam Houston State players finally got their first look at the Gators on film Tuesday afternoon, and what they saw impressed them.
"Watching them on film I think opened our guys' eyes a little bit," Marlin said. "I have watched them a lot and I felt like we got a pretty good draw, and then when you look at them on tape, they are pretty impressive. It is going to be a great challenge, no doubt."
Though the Kats didn't watch for very long (about 10 minutes), senior Jay Oliphant said they really did learn a lot about Friday's opponent.
"We didn't know how much they crashed the glass until we watched them," he said. "We are going to have to really put a butt on someone and block out and get as many loose balls as we can."
Coach Bob Marlin on whether the Gators have an advantage playing in Tampa:
"It should be. They're about, what, two hours away from Tampa? It may be even less than that. I'm sure they are going to have a lot of fans at the game because it's still in the state. At least it's not at the O'Connell Center. I've been there before (as an assistant at Alabama). That's the way the pod system works."
Forward Jay Oliphant on making the NCAA Tournament for the first time in his senior season:
"I couldn't imagine a better ending to my career. Going out and playing Florida and having a good time playing in the NCAA Tournament will be fun. This is something I watch every year, but now I get to play in it. Getting a ring and going to the 'dance' is a good way to go out."
Athletic director Bobby Williams:
"You can't ask for anything better. We're playing a high-profile university, going to Tampa. I mean, anything was going to be great because it was the first time, but I couldn't be more happy."
Sophomore forward David Lee on playing in Tampa:
"It's going to be a lot more comfortable for us. It's going to be a lot more like a home game or a neutral site game, almost like the South Florida game was last year. You get to go on the bus and get a good night's rest rather than traveling all day."
Senior guard Justin Hamilton:
"If you have time, you sit back as a fan (and watch the tournament). I don't know too many people who don't like this time of year."
Freshman guard Anthony Roberson on being able to take the bus:
"I'm not an airplane type guy, I like to drive. That's going to be good for me. It's going to be a good ride because I don't like to get in the air for more than 45 minutes."