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Previewing Florida
Nick Calathes
Nick Calathes

Posted Jan 2, 2009

NC State (9-2) hits the road to face Florida (11-2), one of the top basketball programs in the country. Pack Pride takes a closer look at tomorrow's opponent -- tip-off is at 4:00 p.m. and the game will be televised on CBS.

  • SCHEDULE
  • ROSTER
  • STATS

    PROJECTED STARTERS
    33 Nick Calathes (PG, 6-6/194, SO)
    15 Walter Hodge (G, 6-0/170, SR)
    25 Chandler Parsons (F 6-9/213, SO)
    21 Dan Werner (F, 6-8/230, JR)
    23 Alex Tyus (F/C, 6-8/220, SO)

    TOP RESERVES
    11 Erving Walker (PG, 5-8/160, FR)
    03 Ray Shipman (G/F, 6-5/212, FR)
    24 Allan Chaney (F, 6-8/230, FR)
    30 Kenny Kadji (F/C, 6-10/245, FR)

    STAR WATCH
    Nick Calathes: One of the top point guards in the country, Calathes is leading Florida in scoring (15.7), assists (6.7), and steals (2.2). At 6-foot-6, he is a tough matchup for opposing point guards and is extremely talented. He will give NC State problems.

    Alex Tyus: The sophomore big man has been a nice surprise for the Gators, as he is averaging 14.2 points and 6.8 boards. He is really developing into a formidable presence in the paint.


    Florida Game Notes

  • Florida is just 2-6 all-time against North Carolina State, however, did win the most recent meeting between the two in the opening round of the 1987 NCAA Tournament.

  • The series dates back to 1921, however, this is the first time since Dec. 17, 1938 that the two schools are meeting in the regular season.

  • UF is 13-9 all-time under Billy Donovan against the ACC, however, has dropped three straight meetings with ACC opponents after winning three in a row.

  • Florida has won 14 non-conference home games in a row and is 39-1 at home during non-conference play over the past four seasons.

  • The Gators are 7-0 at home this season and in the second game of a four-game home stand.

  • UF finished its road portion of its non-conference schedule 4-2 (4-1 neutral, 0-1 away) UF is 58-6 at home over the last four seasons During the Gators’ current five-game winning streak, they have been lighting it up offensively.

  • Florida is averaging 84.6 ppg, hitting 51.4 percent from the floor and is averaging 8.8 three-pointers made per game Florida has taken care of the ball in its five-game winning streak with the exception of the second half of Sunday’s game, dishing out 103 assists (20.6 apg) to just 53 turnovers (10.6 tpg)

  • Nick Calathes continues to put up solid numbers for the Gators and has scored 15+ in nine of 13 games, including a season-high 23 on Tuesday.

  • He leads UF in scoring at 15.7 ppg and assists at 6.7 apg.

  • Calathes moved into all-time top 10 in assists on Tuesday, moving his career total to 308.

  • Alex Tyus has stepped up offensively over the past 10 games and has had four 20-point games and two double-doubles in that stretch.

  • Tyus is averaging 16.1 points, 7.5 rebounds and hitting 68.3 percent over the last 10 games.



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