The Gators are still searching for a signature win to hang their NCAA tournament resume on.
When they take the floor tonight at 9 against No. 18 LSU (23-4, 11-1 Southeastern Conference), UF will get the chance to make its case in front of a national television audience.
"Not only to play a team that's won 11 in a row in the league, but to play it on their home court, it's as good as an opportunity as we could have at this point in the season," associate head coach Larry Shyatt said.
The Tigers have rolled through their conference schedule and appear to be the class of the league.
Their only slip-up came in a 65-59 loss to Alabama on Jan.11.
"They're the only real veteran team in the conference," Shyatt said. "They throw out six guys who play quality minutes, and five of them are seniors. And the junior is a fifth-year junior."
The LSU offense is propelled by the inside-outside scoring combination of guard Marcus Thornton (21 points per game) and forward Tasmin Mitchell (17 points per game).
UF (21-6, 8-4 SEC) has not beaten a ranked opponent on the road since it took care of Kentucky back on Feb. 10, 2007, and the Gators have not won in Baton Rouge, La., since 2003.
"We're prepared for a war," forward Chandler Parsons said.
LSU upset UF at home last season 85-73 just days after the Tigers fired long-time coach John Brady.
Brady took LSU to the Final Four in 2006.
"I think we have a lot of guys who are ready for the challenge," Parsons said. "This is what college basketball is about, to have your back against the wall and have to go to the No. 1 team in the conference."
The Gators have struggled in big games on the road this season. They were dismantled by Tennessee and failed to close the deal against Kentucky.
"We've been a heartbeat away," Shyatt said. "We've won a little more at home, but I would say most people do."
UF has lost four games away from home this season by 3 points or fewer.
With the memory of last year's late-season collapse in their minds, questions still remain about whether this UF team has what it takes to close out the final four games of the season.
The Gators would likely need to win two of their last four to secure a spot in the NCAA Tournament.
Parsons said he doesn't believe last year's shortfall will lead to a repeat performance this season.
"We were pretty much in the same situation, but we've got a totally different team," Parsons said. "We've been through it all. We've been kicked out of the facility. We've had our gear taken from us. We know how it feels to not get to where we want to get to. We have a bunch of hardened guys who will do what it takes to not go down that road again."
