OUTLOOK First round: Defeated Butler, 69-68
Second round: Defeated Illinois, 93-76
Sweet 16: Defeated Duke, 87-78
Elite Eight: Defeated Oklahoma State, 77-65
Final Four: Defeated North Carolina, 71-59
Championship: Lost to Michigan State, 89-76
Even with its loss at Kentucky in the final regular-season game and the surprising loss to Auburn in the SEC tournament, Florida is
still a team that can reach the round of eight. The Gators are coming off a
good year last year, in which they were a game away from the regional
finals. Now they have some tournament experience to go with their young
talent.
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Let the experts at Coach's Edge get you ready for the NCAA Tournament with an inside look at the Florida playbook: Play 1
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It's tough for any team to play the Gators because of their press and their
offensive ability. They have nine outstanding players and don't lose much
when they go to their bench. Kenyon Weaks, though, is their best player, a
senior who can score. Look for the Gators to lean on him in the tournament.
One reason Billy Donovan likes to press is that he has excellent athletes
and good speed. Mike Miller is a great player who will make a terrific pro
someday. Freshman Donnell Harvey can come in and give them a good lift with
his rebounding. Udonis Haslem has also been a valuable contributor. Teddy
Dupay had a good year, but he can sometimes be a little schizophrenic.
The Gators have a tendency to get impatient, which can be dangerous in a
NCAA Tournament game. They could struggle against a patient, shooting team.
Nevertheless, I expect the Gators to get to the Elite Eight. -- Larry Conley, ESPN
ROSTER
PROBABLE STARTERS |
F -- Mike Miller (6-8, So., 14.3 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 2.6 apg)
F -- Brent Wright (6-8, Jr., 8.6, 4.3, 1.9)
C -- Udonis Haslem (6-7, So., 11.3, 5.3, 0.9)
G -- Teddy Dupay (5-10, So., 8.9, 1.7, 3.0)
G -- Justin Hamilton (6-3, Fr., 4.8, 1.7, 1.3)
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TOP RESERVES |
F -- Donnell Harvey (6-8, Fr., 10.7, 7.2, 1.0)
F -- Matt Bonner (6-9, Fr., 4.9, 3.5, 0.4)
G -- Kenyan Weaks (6-4, Sr., 10.6, 2.6, 2.2)
G -- Brett Nelson (6-3, Fr., 9.3, 1.9, 3.4)
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NOTABLE
Seed, Region and Bid: 5, East, At-large
Total NCAA Tournament Bids: 7
NCAA Tournament Record: 9-6 (.600)
Final Four Appearances: 1 (1994)
NCAA Tournament Championships: 0
Best NCAA Tournament Finish: National semifinals (1994)
Final ESPN/USA Today ranking: 11
Final Associated Press ranking: 13
Final Ratings Percentage Index: 18
Final Sagarin Computer Ranking: 10
RECORD VS. RANKED TEAMS (4-6)
Nov. 23 -- Lost to No. 21 Purdue, 79-68
Jan. 5 -- Lost to Vanderbilt, 87-77
Jan. 12 -- Beat LSU, 82-57
Jan. 18 -- Lost to No. 14 Tennessee, 81-79
Jan. 29 -- Beat No. 22 Vanderbilt, 89-63
Feb. 8 -- Beat No. 14 Kentucky, 90-73
Feb. 12 -- Lost to No. 9 Tennessee, 76-73
Feb. 27 -- Beat No. 8 Auburn, 88-59
Mar. 4 -- Lost to No. 18 Kentucky, 85-70
Mar. 10 -- Lost to No. 23 Auburn, 78-70
(Opponents ranking reflects ranking on game day)
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