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By JOANNE KORTH
© St. Petersburg Times, published February 3, 2001
WHEN/WHERE: 5; Stegman Coliseum, Athens, Ga.
TV/RADIO: Sunshine; WDAE-AM 620.
RECORDS: UF 14-4, 4-3 SEC; UGA 13-8, 6-2.
COACHES: UF -- Billy Donovan (92-53, fifth season; 127-73 overall). UGA -- Jim Harrick (23-28, second season; 426-210).
KEY PLAYERS: UF -- Matt Bonner, F, 6-9 So. (13.1 ppg, 7.2 rpg); Udonis Haslem, C, 6-8 Jr. (16.8 ppg, 7.9 rpg); Brett Nelson, G, 6-3 So. (14.1 ppg, 4.5 apg); Brent Wright, F, 6-8 Sr. (14.3 ppg, 6.3 rpg). UGA -- Anthony Evans, F, 6-4 Sr. (11.9 ppg, 6.8 rpg); Shon Coleman, F, 6-6 Sr. (10.4 ppg, 6.2 rpg); D.A. Layne, G, 6-0 Jr. (16.5 ppg, 3.2 apg); Ezra Williams, G, 6-4 So. (12.1 ppg, 4.4 rpg).
NOTES: Since losing back-to-back home games in mid January, the Gators have won three straight, including an emotional 81-67 victory over No. 8 Tennessee on Tuesday. After a 1-3 start, UF is in the thick of an SEC title chase in which every team has at least two losses. A quality road win would boost the Gators' stock with the NCAA Tournament selection committee, and they will get plenty of chances in the coming weeks. Four of the next five are on the road, including today, Kentucky on Tuesday and Tennessee on Feb 18. The Gators played without injured starters Wright (foot) and guard Teddy Dupay (back) in a 75-72 loss to Georgia in the O'Dome on Jan. 17. Both are back; Wright close to full strength. UGA's Layne was the SEC Player of the Week after leading the team with 26 and 24 points, respectively, in victories against Vanderbilt and Tennessee. Today marks the first time in the 182-game series that both are ranked.
- Compiled by JOANNE KORTH.