Just three short months ago the University of Florida defeated Ohio State in the national championship. That was in Glendale, Ariz., where the Gators handed the Buckeyes a 41-14 beat down on the football field. Now the two schools are represented in Atlanta tonight where the basketball teams will do battle in the Georgia Dome for the rights to the title of best team in college basketball.
Florida returns to the championship game after smashing UCLA last season. The Gators have one of the most balanced scoring attacks in the nation, and are stifling on defense. All five starters average double figures in scoring, led by point guard Taurean Green with 13.3 points per game. Sharpshooter Lee Humphrey is a 45 percent shooter from the 3-point line. Forwards Joakim Noah and Al Horford average a combined 17.7 rebounds per game. Perhaps the scariest thing about Florida’s starting lineup is that all of them could have jumped to the NBA last season (all as underclassmen) and had a chance at being drafted. Humphrey, now a senior, will only have to decide whether to declare while Green, Noah, Horford and Corey Brewer all can decide whether to play another year for head coach Billy Donovan or declare for the draft.
While Florida is a championship-caliber team with lots of experience, Ohio State is led by a pair of talented freshman. Star freshman Greg Oden draws to David Robinson with his size (7’1 255) and unique skills. His presence alone demands double teams, clearing the way for seniors Ivan Harris (35.8 percent) and Ron Lewis (39.6 percent) to fire from 3-point range. Freshman point guard Mike Conley Jr. is one of the fastest players in the nation. His quickness and impressive ability to take care of the ball (3:1 turnover-assist ratio) make him one of the toughest players in the country. Oden leads the team in scoring and rebound with 15.5 points and 9.7 rebounds per game. Conley averages 6.3 assists per contest.
GAME FACTS
Location: The Georgia Dome, Atlanta
Game time: approx. 9:21 p.m.
The line: Florida by 4