Ezra Williams is part of Georgia's explosive backcourt.

No. 24 Georgia at No. 12 Florida

GAME TIME:	Saturday, 3 p.m. ET
LAST MEETING:	Florida 85, Georgia 70 (Feb. 12, 2002)
SERIES:	Georgia leads, 95-89

Florida's road win at Mississippi State said a lot about the Gators' toughness, not to mention their ability to win a grinding halfcourt game against an opponent that plays smashmouth defense. Because of Florida's pressing, frenetic style, sometimes it is difficult to balance playing fast with playing smart. Florida used intelligence to beat Mississippi State, while wearing the Bulldogs down over the course of the game with its strong and patient offensive execution.

But make no mistake, with all of the attention garnered by Florida's special freshmen, the seniors pulled that game out, and will ultimately be the reason Florida advances in the NCAA Tournament.

The Bulldogs are also a dangerous team -- worthy of a top-10 ranking. After dropping a couple of games early, primarily because Jim Harrick did not have his big men and played shorthanded, Georgia is playing well and creating matchup problems all over the floor. Georgia is a team of big, athletic wings who can all handle, pass and take defenders off the bounce with strength and athleticism.

Florida Breakdown: The Gators are an explosive scoring team that is loaded with good shooters who can stretch a defense. The Gators are creative with their big guys, using them on ballscreens, flares and to create mismatches. Billy Donovan has a ton of set play-calls that include backscreens, curls, shuffle cuts, double screens, staggers and screen-for-the -creener action. Because Florida plays at a fast pace, shot selection can sometimes be an issue. But when Florida takes good shots, the Gators have a powerful team.

Florida shoots a lot of 3-pointers, and they make a lot of 3-pointers, so the Bulldogs better find Florida's shooters in transition if they want to beat them on Saturday. Florida makes almost 10 threes per game, and shoots almost 40-percent from behind the arc. Defensively, Florida plays full-court pressure, man-to-man defense, and will run and jump, with traps all over the floor, especially from behind.

Florida's leading scorers are freshmen, but the Gators' leaders are seniors.

Matt Walsh is the top point producer at 17 points per game, and he shoots 57 percent from the floor, including 52 percent from 3-point range. Anthony Roberson is a scoring point guard with a great first step who can make difficult shots and get to the free throw line. Matt Bonner and Justin Hamilton, two seniors, are the guts of the Gators. Bonner averages 14 points and 6 rebounds, while consistently making the right play. He knocks down shots, can play all over the floor, and he is a great leader.

Hamilton is one of the toughest players in America and could be the nation's best perimeter defender. UConn's Emeka Okafor will take home the Iba Award as Defensive Player of the Year, but Hamilton is not far off for that award. He has shut down every player he has guarded this season, including Steve Blake, Kirk Hinrich and Henry Domercant. Hamilton can also shoot it (57 percent FGs), he can rebound (4.0 rpg) and he leads the team in assists (4.9 apg).

Brett Nelson is rounding back into form after being out early, and David Lee is a marvelous athlete that can make plays.

Georgia Breakdown: Inside, the Bulldogs have two consistent and reliable performers in Steve Thomas and Chris Daniels, who are undervalued because of the bright lights that play on the perimeter. Daniels is versatile, can guard anyone, big or small, and he is an excellent offensive rebounder. Daniels is a complete player and a very good passer. Thomas, who was one of those missing Bulldogs earlier in the season, is a strong but undersized presence and has played very well since coming back from suspension. He averages 12 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 blocks, while shooting 61 percent from the floor.

On the perimeter, Georgia is stacked. Jarvis Hayes is one of the best players in the country, and puts up 18 points per game on 54-percent shooting. Hayes is athletic, explosive and can really attack a defense off the dribble. He gets out in transition, attacks the rim and finishes in traffic. Ezra Williams is a great complement to Hayes, and is a strong wing who has great range. Williams can pass, rebound and he is quicker and stronger this season. Rashad Wright runs the team, and is one of the most dependable point guards in the SEC. Wright protects the ball, delivers it, and can guard people with ball pressure and controlling the dribbler.

Georgia is a good shooting team, and while the Bulldogs may lack size, a good rebounding team. Keep an eye, or two, on Georgia. This team is very good, and can get better.

Key Matchup: Justin Hamilton vs. Jarvis Hayes
Hamilton Florida	Hamilton and Hayes are marvelous athletes and tough competitors. Hayes has led two leagues in scoring (Southern Conference and SEC) and has big play potential. Hamilton is a stud on the defensive end, and selflessly gives of himself by taking the opposition's best player, and taking him out of the game. Hamilton has guarded mostly true guards, where he was the stronger. Hayes will provide him with a different challenge. This is a heavyweight fight, and will be a big factor in the outcome. Hamilton can fail to score a single point and still be the MVP if he can shut down Hayes.	Hayes Georgia

Key Stat
Rebounding and Turnovers
Florida is a team of runs and streaks. Turnovers feed Florida's offensive production. Georgia has enough good handlers and passers, but the Bulldogs will need to beat Florida's traps and pressure to score, not just to advance the ball. Florida takes a lot of threes, so long rebounds will be prevalent throughout the game.

What to Watch For
Florida's half-cout exucution
The Gators can score in transition, and when the pace is quick, but the determining factor for Florida's chances for the national title will rest upon its ability to function in the halfcourt. Watch for the varied sets and options that Florida runs, and how Billy Donovan uses screens on the ball, timing and cuts. Donovan is creative with his offensive schemes, and that sometimes gets lost in the pace of the game.