By Times staff writers
Published December 22, 2003
WHEN/WHERE: 7; Stephen C. O'Connell Center, Gainesville.
TV/RADIO: Sunshine; WDAE-AM 620.
RECORDS: Northeastern 5-4, UF 6-2.
COACHES: Northeastern - Ron Everhart (28-40, third season; 120-144 overall); UF - Billy Donovan (155-75, eighth season; 190-95).
KEY PLAYERS: Northeastern - Marcus Barnes, G, 6-2 Jr. (18.4 ppg, 3.7 rpg); Jose Juan Barea, G, 6-0 So. (16.4 ppg, 6.6 apg); Javorie Wilson, F, 6-5 Sr. (14.9, 4 rpg). UF - Matt Walsh, G, 6-6 So. (14 ppg, 6.1 rpg); Anthony Roberson, G, 6-1 So. (14.3 ppg, 3.4 apg); David Lee, F, 6-9 Jr. (14.5 ppg, 7.3 rpg).
NOTES: The Gators return home after defeating West Virginia 70-57 in the Orange Bowl Classic on Saturday night. Florida's last home game was a loss to Maryland, but the Gators haven't dropped consecutive home nonconference games since 1945-46. Florida has won 40 of its past 41 nonconference games at home. This is the first meeting between Florida and Northeastern. The Gators have 40 or more rebounds in every game this season and have held six of eight opponents under 40 percent shooting. Florida averages 89 points at home. Northeastern is located in Boston, but four of its five starters are from Miami. Seven Northeastern players are from Florida; the Gators have just four from the state.
- Compiled by Antonya English.
FLORIDA STATE AT NO.18 PITTSBURGH
WHEN/WHERE: 7; Peterson Events Center.
TV/RADIO: WTAN-AM 1400.
RECORDS: FSU 10-0, Pittsburgh 10-0. COACHES: FSU - Leonard Hamilton (24-15, second season; 224-225, overall); Pittsburgh - Jamie Dixon (first season). KEY PLAYERS: FSU - Tim Pickett, G, 6-4 Sr. (14.4 ppg, 2.8 spg); Anthony Richardson, F, 6-7 Jr. (12.4 ppg, 5.2 rpg); Alexander Johnson, F, 6-10 Fr. (8.9 ppg, 3.9 rpg). Pittsburgh - Carl Krauser, G, 6-2 So. (15.5 ppg, 4.3 apg); Julius Page, G, 6-3 Sr. (13.6 ppg, 3.5 rpg); Jaron Brown, G, 6-4 Sr. (10.9 ppg, 5.1 rpg). NOTES: The Seminoles, who have the best start in school history, can equal the longest win streak in the program's history. (The 1971-72 team won 10 straight and advanced to the NCAA finale against UCLA.) But to get that watershed W, they will have to beat their toughest opponent to date. The Panthers are making some history of their own; they're 10-0 for the first time since the 1929-30 season and 24-0 at the Petersen Events Center. FSU seemingly has played to the level of competition on the offensive end - it scored just 47 against lowly Chicago State on Saturday - and that's always a dangerous habit. But it remains defensively stout and that gives it a shot in every game. FSU is holding opponents to an average of 47.5 points on 34 percent shooting from the field, 28 percent from 3-point range. The Panthers' trademark also is relentless defense. They're limiting teams to an average of 54.4 points on 35.8 percent shooting, 27 percent from 3-point range. Pittsburgh leads the series 6-1, but the last meeting was in December 1987.
- Compiled by Brian Landman.
SOUTH FLORIDA VS. COLORADO STATE
WHEN/WHERE: 7; Sun Dome, Tampa.
RADIO: WTBN-AM 570.
RECORDS: CSU 5-4, USF 4-4.
COACHES: CSU - Dale Layer (51-49, third season; 218-136 overall); USF - Robert McCullum (first season; 48-49).
KEY PLAYERS: CSU - Matt Nelson, C, 7-0 Jr. (14.4 ppg, 5.1 rpg); Matt Williams, F, 6-6 Jr. (11.4 ppg, 5.7 rpg); Freddy Robinson, F, 6-5 So. (10.6 ppg, 3.9 rpg). USF - Terrence Leather, F, 6-9 Jr. (13.0 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 52.6 FG percentage); Bradley Mosley, G, 6-2 Jr. (14.4 ppg, 2.8 apg); Jimmy Baxter, F/G, 6-5 Sr. (10.6 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 2.4 apg).
NOTES: USF broke a four-game losing streak with Saturday's 73-56 win over Florida International. The Bulls lost 82-70 at CSU last season. Leather has 42 points in the past two games and led USF in scoring in both. He has become the top low-post option and is the only Bull shooting better than 50 percent. After enduring a scoring slump during the skid, USF has shot 50 percent or better in its past three halves. Layer is a 1980 Eckerd graduate and former Tritons assistant. The Rams won the Mountain West tournament last season (after finishing sixth during the regular season) to earn a No. 14 seed in the NCAAs. They lost 67-57 to Duke in the first round. CSU won 79-70 Saturday at Stetson with Nelson coming off the bench to score 25. CSU has 30-plus point losses to Oklahoma State (82-49) and Auburn (84-54). Rams senior forward Ronnie Clark (10.6 ppg) of Arcadia is in his third season after transferring from Florida Southern. This is the second of five straight home games.
