TAMPA - UF's game against Vermont on Friday night was technically a neutral site contest, but it hardly lived up to its billing.
Taking on Vermont in front of 12,908 at the St. Pete Times Forum, the Gators (7-1) rolled over the Catamounts (2-5) 86-61 in the team's first game away from the friendly confines of the O'Connell Center.
Gators fans made up the vast majority of the crowd, with only pockets of Vermont supporters scattered throughout the home of the Tampa Bay Lightning hockey team.
The Gators were led by freshmen throughout the game. The group scored 32 of the team's first 42 points, after scoring just 31 in the entire previous game.
Nick Calathes, who combined for 14 points in the previous two contests, scored 15 alone in the first half Friday. He would finish the game with 21 points and three assists.
"He played a beautiful game in the first half," UF coach Billy Donovan said. "He made great decisions. … He would be one guy that I would say from the Florida State game has shown a lot of growth and development."
During the last week, Donovan has been very critical of his young team. At the heart of Donovan's recent commentary has been Calathes, who was benched during the first half of the FSU game.
Calathes said the process is new to him, but he's doing his part to learn from the experience.
"We just have to keep listening to Coach," he said. "Our team's going to keep listening to Coach, and I think he'll definitely lead us in the right direction. He's been through it all."
In front of about 50 friends and family, about half of whom were wearing shirts bearing his name, Marreese Speights turned in a mixed performance.
Speights recorded two early fouls in the first half, and after attempting just two shots, he was forced to sit the remaining eight minutes of the period.
Coming out of the break, Speights asserted himself quickly, scoring 6 of the Gators' first 8 points and finishing with 15 on the night.
"I was just happy to come out here and play in front of my hometown," Speights said. "It was a great game. We went out there and won, which is what we wanted."
Jai Lucas turned in an efficient 15 points on 6-of-8 shooting. Lucas brought the crowd to its feet with a crossover that floored Vermont defender Mike Trimboli.
When asked about the play, Lucas laughed. The freshman guard said the neutral site was a good opportunity for the team to gain some much-needed experience.
"It meant a lot, mainly because we haven't traveled anywhere," he said. "The guys were excited to get away from campus and play somebody new."
The Gators held Vermont without a 3-point basket until the final two minutes of the game, when the Catamounts added a pair in the waning moments.
UF now returns to the O'Connell Center to host Jacksonville tonight at 7.
