(1-seed) #1 Florida Gators (30-2, 18-0 SEC) vs. (4-seed) Tennessee Volunteers (21-11, 11-7 SEC)
Georgia Dome (capacity: 26,000), Atlanta, Georgia. 1:00 p.m.
Opinion/Analysis
The Gators, who won their quarterfinal game against Missouri yesterday, 72-49, face the Tennessee Volunteers in the first semifinal of the SEC Tournament. The Vols defeated South Carolina yesterday, 59-44. In the two meetings this season between the traditional rivals, the Gators have outscored the Volunteers 134-99. However, the Vols have won five
straight games and look to have positioned themselves for an NCAA Tournament berth. Certainly, a win today over Florida would solidify their spot in the field of 68.
The Gators will need to get off to a better start today than they did yesterday, when they were tied at halftime. Tennessee is riding high with confidence and offers size at every position. As always, the battle between Jarnell Stokes (6'8", 260 pounds) and Patric Young (6'9", 240 pounds) will be a must-see. The task of defending their top scorer, Jordan McRae, will go to Casey Prather or Scottie Wilbekin.
Look for Chris Walker to get some minutes due to the Vols' bigger frontline and the possibility of foul trouble for the Gator bigs. The benches for both teams will be the difference today.
Both teams might be somewhat fatigued, but once the teams step onto the court, it's time to compete. I expect this contest to be tight throughout, so it's going to be key for the Gators to expect a tough battle from the Vols.
Broadcast Information
TV: ABC; Brad Nessler (play-by-play), Jimmy Dykes (analyst), and Shannon Spake (sideline)
Radio: WRUF/Gator IMG Sports Network; Mick Hubert (play-by-play) and Mark Wise (analyst)
Streaming: ESPN3.com
Showing posts with label Tennessee Volunteers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tennessee Volunteers. Show all posts
Saturday, March 15, 2014
Saturday, January 25, 2014
Traditional rival Tennessee comes to town
Game 19: University of Tennessee Volunteers (12-6, 3-2 SEC) at #6 University of Florida Gators (16-2, 5-0 SEC)
Stephen C. O'Connell Center (capacity: 11,548), Gainesville, Florida 4:00 p.m.
Broadcast Information
TV: ESPN; Mark Jones (play-by-play) and Jimmy Dykes (analyst)
Radio: Gator IMG Sports Network; Mick Hubert (play-by-play) and Bill Koss (analyst)
Streaming: ESPN3.com
Despite travel problems on Thursday, Florida is confident in their preparation for today's game against one of its biggest rivals. Due to mechanical issues with their chartered plane, the Gators watched film in the hotel in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, on Thursday night following their 68-62 win over Alabama. They then had a light practice yesterday after getting into Gainesville around noon. But the players and coaching staff aren't making a big deal out of their less-than-ideal preparation.
Tennessee, coming off an 81-74 win over Arkansas on Wednesday, is looking for a signature win, with its only noteworthy victory coming against Virginia. Vols coach Cuonzo Martin is in his third season at the helm and this year's team has embraced the toughness that their coach displayed while playing at Purdue. Junior forward Jarnell Stokes is the SEC's second-leading rebounder at 9.7 per game, with Jeronne Maymon fourth in the conference at 8.2. Both big men are 6'8" and 260 pounds. But probably the best pure-scorer in the conference is Jordan McRae, who's averaging 19.2 points per game, good for third in the SEC. The senior is coming off of a 34-point performance in Wednesday's game.
Florida coach Billy Donovan said that the bench will play a big role, more so than normal due to the Thursday-Saturday turnaround. Remarkably, the Gators are 16-1 in those such turnarounds.
Today's game is the 125th all-time meeting between the two schools, with Tennessee leading the series 72-52, including three in a row. The Gators are 16-18 under Donovan against the Vols. The Gators have been taking care of business at home, going 33-24.
Projected lineups and reserves
Tennessee
#2 Antonio Barton (6'2", 180 lbs. SR) Season stats: 8.3 points per game, 2.0 rebounds per game
#1 Josh Richardson (6'6", 196 lbs. JR) 8.9 ppg, 3.1 rpg
#52 Jordan McRae (6'6", 185 lbs. SR) 19.2 ppg, 3.2 rpg
#5 Jarnell Stokes (6'8", 260 lbs. JR) 13.4 ppg, 9.7 rpg
#34 Jeronne Maymon (6'8", 260 lbs. RS SR) 11.2 ppg, 8.2 rpg
Bench
#15 Darius Thompson (6'5", 181 lbs. FR) 2.9 ppg, 2.6 assists per game
#21 A.J. Davis (6'9", 212 lbs. FR) 2.1 ppg, 2.1 rpg
#23 Derek Reese (6'8", 220 lbs. SO) 3.8 ppg, 5.0 rpg
#4 Armani Moore (6'5", 215 lbs. SO) 2.4 ppg, 1.7 rpg
#32 D'Montre Edwards (6'6", 205 lbs. SR) 2.8 ppg, 1.6 rpg
Florida
#5 Scottie Wilbekin (6'2", 176 lbs. SR) Season stats: 12.5 points per game, 3.6 assists per game
#20 Michael Frazier II (6'6", 195 lbs. SO) 12.1 ppg, 3.4 rpg
#24 Casey Prather (6'6", 212 lbs. SR) 17.3 ppg, 5.6 rpg
#15 Will Yeguete (6'8", 230 lbs. SR) 5.5 ppg, 5.3 rpg
#4 Patric Young (6'9", 240 lbs. SR) 10.6 ppg, 6.2 rpg
Bench
#10 Dorian Finney-Smith (6'8", 212 lbs. RS-SO) 10.5 ppg, 7.7 rpg
#0 Kasey Hill (6'1", 181 lbs. FR) 6.8 ppg, 3.4 apg
#25 DeVon Walker (6'6", 195 lbs. SO) 3.2 ppg, 1.8 rpg
#30 Jacob Kurtz (6'6", 210 lbs. JR) 2.2 ppg, 2.1 rpg
Stephen C. O'Connell Center (capacity: 11,548), Gainesville, Florida 4:00 p.m.
Broadcast Information
TV: ESPN; Mark Jones (play-by-play) and Jimmy Dykes (analyst)
Radio: Gator IMG Sports Network; Mick Hubert (play-by-play) and Bill Koss (analyst)
Streaming: ESPN3.com
Despite travel problems on Thursday, Florida is confident in their preparation for today's game against one of its biggest rivals. Due to mechanical issues with their chartered plane, the Gators watched film in the hotel in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, on Thursday night following their 68-62 win over Alabama. They then had a light practice yesterday after getting into Gainesville around noon. But the players and coaching staff aren't making a big deal out of their less-than-ideal preparation.
Tennessee, coming off an 81-74 win over Arkansas on Wednesday, is looking for a signature win, with its only noteworthy victory coming against Virginia. Vols coach Cuonzo Martin is in his third season at the helm and this year's team has embraced the toughness that their coach displayed while playing at Purdue. Junior forward Jarnell Stokes is the SEC's second-leading rebounder at 9.7 per game, with Jeronne Maymon fourth in the conference at 8.2. Both big men are 6'8" and 260 pounds. But probably the best pure-scorer in the conference is Jordan McRae, who's averaging 19.2 points per game, good for third in the SEC. The senior is coming off of a 34-point performance in Wednesday's game.
Florida coach Billy Donovan said that the bench will play a big role, more so than normal due to the Thursday-Saturday turnaround. Remarkably, the Gators are 16-1 in those such turnarounds.
Today's game is the 125th all-time meeting between the two schools, with Tennessee leading the series 72-52, including three in a row. The Gators are 16-18 under Donovan against the Vols. The Gators have been taking care of business at home, going 33-24.
Projected lineups and reserves
Tennessee
#2 Antonio Barton (6'2", 180 lbs. SR) Season stats: 8.3 points per game, 2.0 rebounds per game
#1 Josh Richardson (6'6", 196 lbs. JR) 8.9 ppg, 3.1 rpg
#52 Jordan McRae (6'6", 185 lbs. SR) 19.2 ppg, 3.2 rpg
#5 Jarnell Stokes (6'8", 260 lbs. JR) 13.4 ppg, 9.7 rpg
#34 Jeronne Maymon (6'8", 260 lbs. RS SR) 11.2 ppg, 8.2 rpg
Bench
#15 Darius Thompson (6'5", 181 lbs. FR) 2.9 ppg, 2.6 assists per game
#21 A.J. Davis (6'9", 212 lbs. FR) 2.1 ppg, 2.1 rpg
#23 Derek Reese (6'8", 220 lbs. SO) 3.8 ppg, 5.0 rpg
#4 Armani Moore (6'5", 215 lbs. SO) 2.4 ppg, 1.7 rpg
#32 D'Montre Edwards (6'6", 205 lbs. SR) 2.8 ppg, 1.6 rpg
Florida
#5 Scottie Wilbekin (6'2", 176 lbs. SR) Season stats: 12.5 points per game, 3.6 assists per game
#20 Michael Frazier II (6'6", 195 lbs. SO) 12.1 ppg, 3.4 rpg
#24 Casey Prather (6'6", 212 lbs. SR) 17.3 ppg, 5.6 rpg
#15 Will Yeguete (6'8", 230 lbs. SR) 5.5 ppg, 5.3 rpg
#4 Patric Young (6'9", 240 lbs. SR) 10.6 ppg, 6.2 rpg
Bench
#10 Dorian Finney-Smith (6'8", 212 lbs. RS-SO) 10.5 ppg, 7.7 rpg
#0 Kasey Hill (6'1", 181 lbs. FR) 6.8 ppg, 3.4 apg
#25 DeVon Walker (6'6", 195 lbs. SO) 3.2 ppg, 1.8 rpg
#30 Jacob Kurtz (6'6", 210 lbs. JR) 2.2 ppg, 2.1 rpg
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