GAINESVILLE -- It's only the NIT, but everyone can get excited about Florida vs. Miami, right? We'll find out on Friday night. The Gators host the 'Canes at 7 p.m. at the O'Connell Center.
Interest for Wednesday night's NIT opener was lacking. The game was not televised and the O'Connell Center was half empty. We talked about it in the game story of UF 84, Jacksonville 62. The Gators played well against JU of the Atlantic Sun. No surprise there. JU was clearly overmatched at every position. Even Nick Calathes (19 points) and Chandler Parsons (17 points) got back on track thanks to the Dolphins. One interesting side note to this game: Freshman Erving Walker started in place of Parsons and Parsons responded with his best game in over a month.
OK, enough about the Gators' game against JU. Who cares, right? Let's talk Gators-'Canes. It'd be about 10,000 times more exciting if these two teams were meeting in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, but, hey, you take what you can get. First, here's a link to colleague Manny Navarro's game story of Miami 78, Providence 66.
Playing on its home court gives UF a clear advantage in this game. Miami had to fly from Providence back to Miami early Thursday morning, prepare for the Gators on Thursday afternoon and then travel to Gainesville on Friday morning. Not exactly an ideal three days of postseason basketball.
While UF has home-court advantage, Miami probably holds every other edge in this match-up. 'Canes guard Jack McClinton will be the best shooter on the court and the Gators have struggled throughout the season against talented three-point shooters.
Miami's athletic frontcourt combination of Cyrus McGowan, Dwayne Collins and Brian Asbury will keep Dan Werner and Alex Tyus busy. Meanwhile, The Hurricanes' bench is a little deeper than the Gators' group of young reserves.
-jo-
Download your Gators Football iPhone App today!
YES, it "The U" as they indulgently call themselves...that said, does anyone else care – NOPE. It’s the "Not Invited Tournament", "Not In Tournament", “National Irrelevant Tournament”, “Nobody Interested Tournament” ... the list could go on
Posted by: Gator34 | March 19, 2009 at 02:43 PM
Who is this UM you speak of? Didn't they win stuff decades ago? The name rings a bell but it's not coming to me.
Posted by: 13-1LiftTheTrophy | March 19, 2009 at 02:57 PM
Because of McClinton (best player in UM history), I think the Canes have the advantage here talent-wise and could pull out the win. They've also been playing significantly better competition all season and should be prepared for an away game. The O'Dome can be ruckus...for big games...but won't be for this one. Home court will be minimal. Hope we can pull it out though.
Posted by: Adam S. | March 19, 2009 at 04:12 PM
Their front line could over-power us...we (gators) just don't have a front line. Sure, if our 3s and 4s are hitting 3s we can be "good" but wow, 3s and 4s hitting 3s...that's just ... not good
Posted by: Gator34 | March 19, 2009 at 05:20 PM
Yes it matters! The 3 major sports head to head.
Florida 1-0 in Football
Miami 3-0 Sweep in Baseball
Basketball TBD
Posted by: Gator Rod | March 19, 2009 at 06:55 PM
Who is this UM you speak of? Didn't they win stuff decades ago? The name rings a bell but it's not coming to me.
Posted by: 13-1LiftTheTrophy | March 19, 2009 at 02:57 PM
5>3 and if 2001 equals a decade ago then your probably right.
Posted by: clueless gaytors | March 20, 2009 at 09:05 AM
McClinton is not even close to being the best player in UM history, try Rick Berry.
Posted by: cmhgator | March 20, 2009 at 09:33 AM
Rivalry with UM is *the* main reason UF fans care about this second-round NIT match-up!
Posted by: Dean | March 20, 2009 at 11:28 AM
Or even try Rick Barry.
Posted by: blueberries don't win games | March 20, 2009 at 01:50 PM