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UF Returns To Top 25

The Associated Press

Sophomore guard Nick Calathes is the leading scorer for the Gators.

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By MICK ELLIOTT | The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 20, 2009

GAINESVILLE - The Florida Gators popped up in this week's college basketball national rankings, appearing at No. 24 and as the only SEC team listed.

Too bad.

Considering the Gators are 16-2 overall, 3-0 in the SEC and riding a 10-game winning streak, it should not be surprising they are meriting some love from voters. Unfortunately, they aren't in a position to enjoy it.

"I don't think we warrant being ranked," Coach Billy Donovan said. "I don't say that because I don't want attention for our team, or to fly under the radar. To be ranked is a good thing. But as this thing starts to unfold, and we start playing more on the road, we will have every opportunity to prove or not that we deserve to be ranked."

The sting of last year remains tender. That's when the Gators, coming off back-to-back national championships, were in a similar position, only to lose eight of their final 11 games and miss the NCAA Tournament.

Looking ahead, Florida's schedule grows increasingly more difficult down the stretch, curbing the satisfaction of a January ranking.

"I think last year we looked ahead," sophomore guard and leading scorer Nick Calathes said. "I think we were 18-3 and it kind of bit us."

The Gators travel to South Carolina for a Wednesday night game, but will soon get a better test of their potential. On Sunday they are at Vanderbilt for a nationally televised meeting with the Commodores, and the following weekend visit preseason favorite Tennessee.

"I have always felt at this time of year, there are teams that really play their way into the national rankings and there are teams that get ranked because people ahead of them lost," Donovan said. "I think every game going forward gets more and more challenging for our team. But I will be really, really disappointed in our guys if they feel like they have everything figured out right now."

Little Big Man

Freshman Erving Walker stands only 5-foot-8 and 161 pounds, but the point guard from Brooklyn has made a sizable impression with toughness that contradicts his small physical status.

In Florida's 80-65 win at home over Arkansas on Saturday night, he played 28 minutes off the bench and scored 13 points - including several drives inside.

"He has a lot of those intangible things," Donovan said. "For a little guy, he has the ability to impact winning.

"Many guys may be talented, but there are a lot of talented guys who have no impact on the game. Erving Walker is probably the smallest guy I have ever had and he impacts the game with his defense, making a couple of big shots, and just playing tough."

That Tebow Guy

Florida's national championship football team was well represented at the O'Connell Center on Saturday for the Gators' basketball game with SEC rival Arkansas.

Coach Urban Meyer and defensive coordinator Charlie Strong were in attendance, as were a number of players.

But, it was quarterback Tim Tebow - simply shocking - who created the loudest reaction.

With his right arm in a sling following shoulder surgery a week earlier, Tebow walked onto the court at halftime for a brief speech.

"Don't worry about this," Tebow said, pulling off the sling. "I'll be fine."

Cornerback Joe Haden also spoke and thanked Tebow and linebacker Brandon Spikes for staying in school and announcing plans to return next year.

"We're going to win it again next year," Haden said.

UF SHORTS

•Junior sprinter Calvin Smith II of Lutz captured the men's 400-meter dash in an indoor meet at Kentucky, recording a NCAA Championships provisional-qualifying time of 47.04.

•Senior Marshae Dotson is this week's SEC women's basketball player of the week. The 5-foot-10 averaged 19.5 points in a two-game span, while shooting 64 percent (16-for-25) from the floor.

•The No. 1-ranked Gators gymnastics team is 2-0 (1-0 SEC) after a win against No. 4 Auburn and heads to No. 5 Arkansas on Friday for its first road meet of the season.

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