Who/When/Where: UF (3-1) vs. No. 20 Florida State (4-1), 5:30 p.m., O'Connell
Center
Last Time Out:
UF won 69-63 vs Prairie View A&M Tuesday
Florida State won 77-42 vs Fordham Tuesday
Last Meeting:
Florida State defeated UF 88-66 in Tallahassee on Nov. 24, 2006
Projected Starters:
Florida State:
F Jacinta Monroe (6-4, So.)
F Antionette Howard (5-11, Fr.) OR C Britany Miller (6-4, Jr.)
G Mara Freshour (6-1, Jr.)
G Tanae Davis-Cain (5-11, Jr.)
G Courtney Ward (5-7, Fr.)
UF:
F Marshae Dotson (5-11, Jr.)
C Aneika Henry (6-3, Jr.)
G Brittaney Thomas (5-8, So.)
G Sha Brooks (5-7, Jr.)
G Depree Bowden (5-11, Sr.)
Why Florida State Might Win:
The No. 20 Seminoles will be expected to win this game, but this will be one of the first major tests of the season. This is the first time in the history of the rivalry that FSU comes in ranked. Monroe, Freshour and Davis-Cain all average in double-figures in scoring. Miller and Monroe look to tower over the Gators, as both are listed at 6 foot 4.
Why UF Might Win:
To be honest, it probably shouldn't, but it does have the advantages of it being a rivalry game and having it at home. Rivalries can make the most unbelievable outcomes. Henry has shown flashes of possible offensive potential in past games, but she has to be able to catch entry passes better. The Gators will need big games from Bowden, Brooks and Dotson to have a chance as long as with one other person. In the Xavier game, that other person was Thomas. Another high-scoring night for Thomas would be a great thing for the Gators. The most important thing for UF is to keep it close and keep the crowd into it. Then at the end, anything might happen.
Final Word:
This is another chance for the Gators to get a statement win. It all depends on which team shows up - will it be the team that rattled off 51 in the second half against Xavier or the one that blew up against Nebraska? UF can not afford to continue to start slow and let a large lead build as the Seminoles will not let them back in as easily as others. The Gators must keep their stars out of trouble to have any chance of ending their ten-game losing streak to ranked opponents. For all the talk of holding home court, this would be a big one for UF and first-year head coach Amanda Butler.
