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By JOANNE KORTH
© St. Petersburg Times, published March 4, 2001
WHEN/WHERE: Noon; O'Connell Center, Gainesville.
TV/RADIO: Ch. 10; WDAE-AM 620.
RECORDS: UF 21-5, 11-4 SEC; Kentucky 19-8, 12-3.
COACHES: UF -- Billy Donovan (99-54, fifth season; 134-74 overall). Kentucky -- Tubby Smith (105-31, fourth season; 229-93).
KEY PLAYERS: UF -- Matt Bonner, F, 6-9 So. (13.3 ppg, 7.5 rpg); Udonis Haslem, C, 6-8 Jr. (16.5 ppg, 7.1 rpg); Brett Nelson, G, 6-3 So. (15.2 ppg, 4.3 apg); Teddy Dupay, G, 5-8 Jr. (13.7 ppg, 2.0 apg). UK -- Tayshaun Prince, F, 6-9 Jr. (16.1 ppg, 6.1 rpg); Jason Parker, F, 6-8 Fr. (8.4 ppg 4.8 rpg); Gerald Fitch, G, 6-3 Fr. (6.2 ppg, 4.6 rpg); Keith Bogans, G, 6-5 So. (16.0 ppg, 4.5 rpg).
NOTES: Florida can win a share of the SEC championship with a victory against Kentucky, which has clinched a share and can claim the title outright. ... The Gators have won 10 of 11, including five straight against ranked opponents, to match Stanford and Iowa State as the hottest teams in the country. UF's loss in that stretch was 71-70 at Kentucky on Prince's hook with 3.3 seconds left. ... UF will honor seniors Brent Wright and Major Parker before their final home game, though Wright is doubtful after aggravating his injured right foot Feb. 21. The first players to sign with Donovan, Wright and Parker need one victory to become UF's winningest class and surpass the 86 recorded by the 1989 seniors. During their careers, UF won an SEC title, reached the Sweet 16 in consecutive seasons and made its only championship game appearance. Two of five Gators to serve as co-captains in multiple seasons, Parker and Wright have combined to appear in 231 games with 126 starts. Both are scheduled to graduate in May. ... A victory would be Donovan's 100th at Florida. Former UK assistants Donovan and Smith worked under Rick Pitino from 1989-91. ... UF assistant John Pelphrey, who played at UK from 1989-92 and had his No. 34 jersey retired, was in charge of scouting the Wildcats for today's game.
- Compiled by Joanne Korth