KEY PLAYERS: Arizona - Channing Frye, C, 6-11 Jr. (20 ppg, 8 rpg); Andre Iguodala, F, 6-6 So. (18 ppg, 5 rpg); Mustafa Shakur, G, 6-3 Fr. (14 ppg, 5 rpg); UF - David Lee, F, 6-9 Jr. (20 ppg; 4.0 rpg); Matt Walsh, G, 6-6 So. (18 ppg, 6 rpg); Christian Drejer, F, 6-9 So. (19 ppg; 11 apg).
NOTES: Having beaten up on preseason teams and undermanned Montana State in the season opener, the Gators face their first real challenge in tonight's MassMutual Classic. The game marks the return of Florida sophomore guard Anthony Roberson, who was suspended for two preseason games and the opener for a violation of team rules. Florida has won 17 of its past 25 against ranked teams, including six last season. Both teams feature young players. Four Arizona starters are either freshmen or sophomores, while nine of 11 Florida scholarship players are in their first two years. Florida's starting lineup includes one junior and one senior.
- Compiled by Antonya English.
TONIGHT: FSU VS. SOUTH CAROLINA STATE
WHEN/WHERE: 5:30; Tallahassee-Leon County Civic Center.
TV/RADIO: Sunshine; WQYK-AM 1010.
RECORDS: South Carolina State 1-1, Florida State 3-0.
COACHES: South Carolina State - Ben Betts Jr. (first season); Florida State - Leonard Hamilton (17-15, second season; 217-225 overall).
KEY PLAYERS: South Carolina State - Thurman Zimmerman, G/F, 6-5 Jr. (17.5 ppg, 7.5 rpg); Shawn Wiggins, G, 6-3 Fr. (15.5 ppg, 3.5 rpg); Brandon Trapp, G, 5-11 So. (11 ppg, 2.5 apg); Florida State - Tim Pickett, G, 6-4 Sr. (16 ppg, 2.3 spg, 10 of 25 3-point shooting); Anthony Richardson, F, 6-7 Jr. (15 ppg, 5.3 rpg); Alexander Johnson, F, 6-6 Fr. (11 ppg, 4 rpg); Von Wafer, G, 6-5 Fr. (10.5 ppg, 3.5 rpg).
NOTES: With a win, FSU would be 4-0 for the first time since the 1997-98 season, the last time it went to the NCAA Tournament. ... This should be the Seminoles' toughest test to date. Yes, the Seminoles are 11-0 overall against the MEAC, not a power conference, but they've never played the Bulldogs. And this is a good team, the defending league champion with three starters back from a team that played well against Oklahoma in the NCAA Tournament opening round, losing 71-54. Zimmerman is a potential conference player of the year and Wiggins could be the top newcomer. ... FSU's Johnson shines inside, hitting 12 of 14 shots, while Wafer is a perimeter threat to complement Pickett and Richardson; he's hit 5 of 12 3-pointers. ... This will be FSU's third game in five days.
