Tampa subregional

Different team, different NCAAs

The Gators say their bad experience in last year's tournament will not be a factor.

By ANTONYA ENGLISH, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published March 21, 2003

TAMPA -- The inevitable comparisons began as soon as the final seconds ticked off the clock in the quarterfinals of the Southeastern Conference tournament.

Florida was heading into the NCAA Tournament fresh off an early upset in New Orleans and riding a three-game losing streak.

It was all eerily reminiscent of the 2002 Gators, the team that lost seven of its last eight games and got knocked off by 12th-seeded Creighton in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

Suddenly, the main topic of conversation surrounding the No. 2-seeded Gators wasn't about their record-setting season but their late-season "slump."

But as Florida (24-7) prepares to play 15th-seeded Sam Houston State (23-6) at 9:45 tonight, the Gators are adamant that one has nothing to do with the other.

Different time, different team.

"I don't think that last year with the way we played down the stretch has any bearing on this year's team at all," coach Billy Donovan said. "I don't think past events have any bearing on what happens tomorrow.

"I know last year's team did not finish strong and people are saying we're not finishing strong now. Look at the teams we're playing. We won five games on the road this year in the toughest league in the country, and two of our four losses in the league were against Kentucky. Some years you may get knocked out early, some years you may make a miracle run. Last year has no bearing at all with this year's team."

There is a similarity, however. Florida relies heavily on its perimeter shooting, which hasn't been consistent in recent games. Poor shooting doomed last year's squad in the end.

Nevertheless, the 2003 Gators are different. The starters include a sophomore center and two players who watched the tournament between high school homework sessions last year. Six players on the roster are freshmen.

And Florida has one of the most balanced offenses around, with each of its starters capable of scoring, particularly its guards.

Enter Sam Houston State. The Bearkats are fifth in the nation in field-goal percentage defense, limiting opponents to .387 shooting. Coach Bob Marlin said the key to playing the Gators is keeping them from scoring in transition.

"We just have to stop their transition," he said. "I think they're great in transition. Obviously you've got to slow them down and do a good job and hope they miss shots."

Although some key starters lack tournament experience, the Gators said they aren't lacking confidence. And some are relying on the hurt from last season's ending to carry them tonight.

"The past couple of years we've really struggled," senior guard Brett Nelson said. "Sam Houston State is capable of beating us. If we don't come out ready, it could be just like last year."

Senior guard Justin Hamilton said he understands why the comparisons to last season's team have surfaced, but knows firsthand how vastly different this team is.

"The whole atmosphere is a lot different than it was last year," he said. "That's why I think we're confident going into the tournament.

"This year's team we've been beating ourselves. We've been playing pretty poorly these past three games and teams have been playing probably the best they can play. That's encouraging. We've had a couple great days of practice."

The Gators also are hoping they'll have an advantage that has nothing to do with performance: the homecourt. With Gainesville just two hours away, the team is expecting a large contingent of fans. Last season, Florida played in Chicago, where the crowd was anything but partisan, and the Gators discovered just how beneficial a home crowd can be.

"Between the Creighton and Illinois fans, we had a lot of people cheering against us in Chicago last year," center David Lee said. "That was a little tough.

"Now it looks like the tables are turned a little this year. We'll get to have some fans (in Tampa)."

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