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Florida shows 'Nova that it's tough enough

By JOHN ROMANO
Published March 27, 2006

	[Times photo: James Borchuck]
	Joakim Noah, left, dunks for two of his 21 points in Florida's 75-62 victory against Villanova. Noah also had 15 rebounds for the Gators, who advanced to the Final Four for the first time since 2000 and third overall. Florida next faces George Mason and Folarin Campbell at 6:07 p.m. Saturday. Photo Gallery NCAA Coverage

MINNEAPOLIS - The baddest man in the building has just left the court. He walked past the security guards and cut through the gawkers.

Now, in the first row of the bleachers, he stops.

And kisses his mom.

Oh, they'll fool you, these Florida Gators.

Yes, they seem lovable. And, let's face it, they look sort of cuddly and innocent. They're polite, well-mannered and probably help little old professors across University Avenue.

But do not be fooled.

They are tough. Big-game tough. No-prisoners tough. Take-your-Philly-trash-talk-and-shove-it-up-your-cracked-Liberty-Bell tough.

They are, this morning, Final Four tough.

Four sophomores and a baby-faced junior proved that without a doubt Sunday when they slapped around a Villanova team that was supposed to be the hardest cast of characters in sneakers.

Suddenly, UF is two victories away from its first national championship. And it wouldn't be a stretch to call the Gators favorites.

"You can't just call yourself tough. You can't just act tough. You're only tough if you come across someone else tougher and you beat them," former Georgetown coach John Thompson said. "I was telling someone earlier today that I wasn't sure how tough Florida was. Now I know.

"That's a very tough group of kids."

The Gators don't talk tough. They don't look scary. They would rather poke fun of each other than crack on an opponent's game.

Then the whistle blows and they become brutes.

Take Joakim Noah, the 6-11 sophomore in the stands kissing his mom after the victory. He wears his hair in a ponytail and his heart on his sleeve, but you won't find another player in the country with more venom to his game.

Noah had 21 points and 15 rebounds Sunday, but that does not even begin to explain the impact he had on the floor. Noah patrolled the paint around the basket as if he were worried about looters in the vicinity.

Villanova's guards stopped driving to the hoop because they were afraid of Noah getting in their grill. The Wildcats had to abandon their four-guard lineup because no one could handleNoah and center Al Horford.

"Maybe we don't look like we're tough guys, but the bottom line is we get the job done," Horford said. "I know, Villanova was tough. They were city kids. But we're going to play our game no matter who the other team has."

Let's face it, this is a revelation. For the past few seasons, we had gotten used to the idea thatFlorida recruits were soft.

They had rolled over in so many recent NCAA Tournament games, you figured they were comfortable spooning.

"I think a lot of teams got the idea that they could run over us because of our past," junior forward Chris Richard said. "That's not going to happen. We're a different group of guys."

Who knows when the tide changed. Maybe it was when coach Billy Donovan changed his recruiting strategy. He stopped worrying about players with the flashiest skills, and started looking for players who fit his needs. The four sophomores he picked up in 2004 are now the heart of this program.

Maybe it started in a pickup game last year. The one when Corey Brewer decked Matt Walsh after an altercation. Brewer was one of the '04s, the class of Noah, Horford and Taurean Green. Walsh was part of Florida's past. He and Anthony Roberson declared for the NBA draft a short time later.

All we know for sure is this team had a new feel when the season started. Looser, and yet, more determined. Tighter, and yet, more diverse.

The Gators weren't supposed to be this successful. Heck, they were considered the third- or fourth-best team in the Southeastern Conference East Division. And no one had any idea these pups could turn out so vicious.

But the proof was there Sunday for the world to see.

They made the tough guys lose their cool. Or didn't you notice Allan Ray being called for the technical foul that changed the game's momentum?

They made the tough guys cry. Or didn't you see star Randy Foye with tears streaming down his face as he left the court in the final 30 seconds?

A year ago, Villanova humiliated UF's backcourt in a second-round game. On Sunday, the Gators returned the favor.

A Villanova team that had some of the best perimeter shooters in the nation was 4-of-23 from three-point range.

"Maybe people thought of us as a running team. Or a three-point shooting team. A no-contact team," Horford said. "We've changed that image."

The baddest man in the building is on the court again. There is madness in the air and commotion all around as the celebration rages.

In his arms, Noah holds the infant son of associate head coach Anthony Grant.

"The Gator boys are hot," Noah keeps repeating to 10-month-old Makai. "The Gator boys are hot. Can you say that?"

Oh, yeah.

We can say that.

[Last modified March 27, 2006, 00:32:07]