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Florida faces UAB in Orange Bowl Classic

Dec 30, 2006 - 4:48 PM UAB (8-5) at No. 3 Florida (11-2) 6:30 pm EST

SUNRISE, Florida (Ticker) -- Florida passed a tough test in its last contest. It looks to keep it going against a lesser opponent.

Coming off one of the most-hyped games of the season, the third-ranked Gators will aim to avoid a letdown against the University of Alabama-Birmingham on Saturday in the Orange Bowl Classic.

Florida is 6-1 in this one-day event, last losing in 1997 to UAB.

Al Horford and Joakim Noah ganged up inside on freshman sensation Greg Oden and Taurean Green scored 24 points to lead the Gators to an 86-60 victory over then-No. 3 Ohio State last Saturday.

The 7-foot Oden was surrounded underneath by the 6-11 Noah and the 6-10 Horford, managing just seven points, less than half his average of 15.5.

The appearance of Horford, who finished with 11 points and 11 rebounds, was a surprising one, as he was all but ruled out earlier in the week due to a high ankle sprain.

Lawrence Kinnard and Paul Delaney scored 13 points each to lead UAB to a 78-62 victory over South Florida on Wednesday. The Blazers have won five of their last seven games, but has struggled away from home by going 2-4.

The Blazers have lost five of their last eight games against ranked opponents.