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Two programs, one winning goal

FSU wants to serve notice it is a force; UF wants to serve notice it still is one.

By BRIAN LANDMAN

© St. Petersburg Times, published November 17, 2000

TALLAHASSEE -- For the Florida State and Florida players, the implications of tonight's game go beyond the usual bragging rights in an intrastate rivalry.

For the Seminoles, a win against the No. 11 Gators could signal a successful rebuilding.

For UF, a win could signal a successful reloading.

"Everybody keeps thinking about that if we win, it's going to be big," FSU senior point guard Delvon Arrington said. "I don't think about just a win; I think about something farther down the road -- just turning this whole program around."

The Seminoles were 13-17 and 12-17 the past two seasons. Gone from last year's team are four starters, including former Largo High star Ron Hale and forward Damous Anderson, who between them accounted for almost half the team's offense.

With diminishing returns, they saw diminishing turns of the Tallahassee-Leon County Civic Center turnstiles. They averaged 5,487 fans for home games and never came close to capacity.

"We don't get that many fans and I think it would cause more fans to come out if we win," Arrington said. "It would just help this program and put it to a higher level, get it recognition worldwide ... That's what I'm striving for and that's what I'm trying to get the younger guys to see, that we have to win this game, not just because it's a win on our record, but also for our future."

The future couldn't be much brighter for the Gators.

They're coming off 22-9 and 29-8 seasons, including a Sweet 16 appearance and last season's unprecedented run to the NCAA championship game.

"They may be looking at this game as a game to put their program back on the map, but we're looking at this game as a way to help us build a dynasty here," UF senior forward Major Parker said.

Although top scorer Mike Miller and top rebounder Donnell Harvey bolted early for the NBA and three-point specialist Kenyan Weaks graduated, the Gators return seven of their top 10. Coach Billy Donovan added guard Orien Greene and welcomes back sophomore guard LaDarius Halton from knee surgery.

"We have people who fill those spots," said junior guard Teddy Dupay, referring to the three key losses. "All our big guys have gotten better. Orien is coming in. LaDarius is coming back. I'm coming back almost a different player. We're adding a lot of dimensions. We lost a great deal, but we're adding things, too."

The Seminoles are decidedly less experienced. Even with the return of senior guard Adrian Crawford from knee problems and the emergence of junior forward Antwuan Dixon, FSU will go with two first-time starters in sophomore center Nigel Dixon and freshman forward Michael Joiner. Guards Ryan Lowery and Andrew Wilson and forward/center Mike Mathews will be playing in their first games and guard Monte Cummings, a junior college transfer, will be stepping up in competition.

That makes for a tall order against the Gators, who beat FSU 96-61 last season.

"I can't forget that game, the margin we lost by," said Antwuan Dixon, a tri-captain along with Arrington and Crawford. "Unlike playing in the ACC where you get a chance to play teams at least twice, maybe a third time in the ACC Tournament, with Florida, you only get one chance at them. A win would be big for Tallahassee, for Florida State basketball."

"That's what I want to hear, I want our guys to feel that way," FSU coach Steve Robinson said. "It's an opportunity; an opportunity for us to play a nationally ranked team at home to open up the season. To me, that's a great stage to have."

- Staff writer Joanne Korth contributed to this report.

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