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Number 19 & 20

Monday, January 28th, 2008 |

Yes the “Baby Gators” have made it back into the Top 25 entering the polls again at no.19 in the AP and no.20 in the USA Today polls. With there win over previous no.14 ranked Vanderbilt, 86-64, the Gators go into their 5 day break leading the SEC East at 5-1. The next game will be the biggest to date against Tennessee in Knoxville. These young Gators consist of five freshmen, three sophomores, and one junior in their rotation. After back to back National Titles the consenous was that the Gators would not be as good this year. Some publications had the Gators picked to finish fifth in the East and hard pressed to make the postseason let alone the NCAA’s. Led by freshmen Nick Calathes, who leads the SEC with almost 6 assists per game, these guys compete night in and night out. That is the best complement I give them. As Vandy learned on Sunday if the Gators shoot the ball well to go along with their competiveness this team will be hard to beat. Considering what was lost from the team, Al Horford, Joakim Noah, Corey Brewer(all top ten picks), Taurean Green, Chris Richard(sixth man of the year), and Lee Humphrey(all-time leader in three point fieldgoals), the Gators are well ahead of schedule. This is not a one man band either. Sophomores Marresse Speights, Dan Werner bang down low. Junior Walter Hodge leads with his experience of being the only one left who played considerable minutes during the championships. Add in freshman Jai Lucas and what you have is a team that loves to play together and unselfish. Lookout for this team come March.