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Thursday, March 28, 2024

They both have short, dark hair. Similar hairlines and love for the game of basketball.

One is a freshman guard and the other is a leader, yet some say they are one and the same.

It has nothing to do with how they dribble, how they pass or even where they play. It has to do with what they look like, something neither of them can understand.

"I don't get it," guard Nick Calathes said. "If I shaved my head, nobody would say that."

Calathes regularly fields questions regarding whether he looks like UF coach Billy Donovan, a theory some of his teammates have adopted.

"I saw that as soon as I heard about it," forward Alex Tyus said. "He does (look like Donovan) if you look at him real quick. It has to do with the hairline."

Calathes said it's likely because of the hair. However, he doesn't plan on slicking it back like Donovan anytime soon.

"No way," Calathes joked.

Calathes and the Gators (20-7, 7-5 Southeastern Conference) head to Athens on Wednesday night to take on Georgia (12-13, 3-9 SEC) in a game where all tricks, jokes and fun will be left behind.

The Gators are in the second of two must-win games on the narrow road to this year's NCAA Tournament.

UF took care of business against South Carolina last Wednesday and needs to bring a similar focus into this one.

"This is a must-win," Tyus said. "They all are, but this one more than most."

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Tyus said if the season ended today, UF would become a member of the tournament field - an undeserving one.

He said the team's prestige and 20 wins would be the backbone for its entry. However, with a RPI of 59 according to CollegeRPI.com, the road is rockier than Tyus might think.

ESPN Bracketology lists UF in right now, slating the Gators as a No. 11 seed matched up against Kansas State in the opening round.

But this all rests on the future, and most importantly, on the Georgia game.

"We're going to come in to win, to be honest with you," Calathes said. "It should be difficult this time at their place."

The last time these two teams met, UF won decisively, 77-67. The Gators plan to toss aside the past in this matchup as they face a very different Georgia team.

In the previous contest, the Bulldogs played without second-leading scorer Billy Humphrey, who was serving the first game of a three-game suspension.

Humphrey, Georgia's best outside shooter, is ready to go this time and brings 12.7 points per game to the table.

In addition, the Bulldogs are a better team at home. Georgia is just 1-10 on the road this season, with the lone win coming against Hawaii. On their own court, the Bulldogs are an impressive 11-3.

"This is maybe a different team than we played here in Gainesville," Donovan said. "Going on the road, this will be another great challenge and tough test for our team."

The Bulldogs are sliding as of late. Georgia has lost eight of its last nine and is currently last in the SEC East.

The Gators know they need to take advantage of this opportunity as the season's end draws near.

"We have Georgia to play," Calathes said. "That's it right now."

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