Who/When/Where: UF (2-1) vs. Prairie View A&M (1-3), 5:30 p.m., O'Connell Center
Last Time Out:
UF lost 90-63 at Nebraska Saturday
Prairie View A&M lost 73-54 at Texas A&M Thursday
Last Meeting:
This will be the first-ever meeting between the two teams.
Projected Starters:
Prairie View A&M:
C Aminata Dieye (6-5, Jr.)
G Gaati Werema (6-0, So.)
G Candice Thomas (5-9, So.)
G Shavonne Smith (5-7, Sr.)
G Kandis Brown (5-9, Jr.)
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 Prairie View A&M Might Win:
The Panthers sport an interesting four-guard lineup, although it's my guess that the 6-foot Werema will see some time in the post. The fact they're all listed as guards means this will likely be another team that likes to get up and down the floor. The Gators failed miserably against Nebraska's press Saturday, giving Prairie View game film on how to harass UF. The Panthers are used to playing on the road by now - this is only the halfway point in a 10-game season-opening road stretch. If they can dump it into Dieye in the half court and get UF's Henry and/or Dotson in foul trouble, it could pose trouble for the Gators
Why UF Might Win:
Well, right after I hyped Dotson going into the Nebraska game, she had her worst game of the season. Early foul trouble got her frustrated and she let her emotions get the best of her. Look for her to want to redeem herself tonight at home. For that matter, the whole team seemed to be pretty hurt by that loss to the Cornhuskers. They will look to handle the ball better and reduce their turnovers. The point guards will likely not face the same talent they did against Nebraska, but their effort was lacking, as the Gators were unable to set up their offense due to the pressure. Sharielle Smith's rejoining the rotation will only mean good things for the Gators as she immediately becomes the first post sub.
Final Word:
I think that talent may be slightly in the Gators' favor here, but the scheduling certainly is not. If the Gators had to go back out on the road, two days after Nebraska, I would almost certainly predict a loss. But they are at home, and Prairie View might have a game plan similar to Nebraska, but it's doubtful it will convert the way the Cornhuskers did. I'm sure yesterday's practice wasn't pleasant for the Gators, but hopefully they learned how to handle defensive pressure and how to execute better on offense. If not tonight, they will certainly need those things down the road - like Friday against No. 20 Florida State.
