It's always a big game when they square off, but now the Gators want redemption.
By ANTONYA ENGLISH
Published March 7, 2004
You could call it the big rematch or Florida's second chance at redemption, but quite frankly there's no need to overhype this one.
When Florida plays at No. 9 Kentucky at noon today there's more than enough at stake to make it a big-time game for both, regardless of how it's billed.
"It's always a big game," Florida coach Billy Donovan said. "It's the last game of the regular season, we're getting ready for postseason and the SEC tournament. I think you always want to be playing well going into the SEC tournament. It's a big game."
Florida (18-8, 9-6 SEC) is on a four-game winning streak and has gone 5-2 since its home loss to the Wildcats on Feb. 3. The Gators led by eight with less than three minutes left when Kentucky scored the final 11 to pick up a 68-65 win.
Add to that the Gators haven't won at storied Rupp Arena since Feb. 1, 1998 and there's plenty of motivation for Florida's players.
"Obviously we want to win the game because it would be great to win at Rupp," sophomore forward Matt Walsh said. "And it's a lot better going into the SEC tournament knowing that you have to win three games instead of four. We want to win the game no matter what. More than anything we want to beat Kentucky. That is the most important thing."
Kentucky already has secured its fourth consecutive SEC East title and the No. 1 seed in the conference tournament but is still playing for a possible No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. The Wildcats (22-4, 12-3) also have an added motivation.
Five seniors, including standouts Erik Daniels, Gerald Fitch and Cliff Hawkins (all average double figures) will be playing their final home games. As a group, they've compiled a 100-28 record, four SEC East titles, two SEC championships and two SEC tournament titles. Since 1920, Kentucky is 79-4 on Senior Day and never has lost one under coach Tubby Smith.
"There will be a lot of emotion to start the game," Donovan said of the pregame ceremony. "I think our guys need to be ready for the emotional level of the start of the game. I think the first five minutes of the game are going to be important for us in terms of handling them as a team, handling the crowd, making good decisions and not turning the ball over to let them get out on the break. Those things become very important to the team."
Smith said he'll have his team prepared to face a formidable opponent.
"I know they are playing awfully well right now, winning four in a row," he said. "They had a big win over Georgia, a team that has beaten us twice. It looks like Billy has gotten the guys refocused after the major distraction with the loss of Christian Drejer. I know coming in here they'll be ready to play."
During its winning streak, Florida has shot 52 percent and held opponents to fewer than 70 points. Kentucky is averaging 72 points and is second in the league in scoring defense (63.4). And oddly enough, the loss to Kentucky could be beneficial today, the Florida players said.
"That was a game that we were in and we were right there to win it down the stretch, but we made some key mistakes that really turned the game around," sophomore guard Anthony Roberson said. "I just hope that we can get into that same situation at Rupp Arena because I think that we've learned from that. If we are in that same situation again, I think it'll be a different outcome because the whole team regrouped at that moment. Since then, we've been playing great down the stretch."
