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Florida hosts in-state opponent North Florida

Nov 20, 2007 - 2:31 PM North Florida (1-2) at No. 24 Florida (4-0) 8:00 pm EST

GAINESVILLE, Florida (Ticker) - About the only similarities between North Florida and two-time defending NCAA national champion and No. 24 Florida is that they play in the same state.

The Gators have been solid offensively, leading the nation in shooting at just under 53 percent.

Florida coasted to an 86-40 win over North Florida last season. The Gators are 83-25 all-time against the Atlantic Sun and have not dropped a decision against one of its member institutions since 1994.

Florida coach Billy Donovan claimed his 300th win in the Gators' 88-63 triumph over Rutgers this past weekend. The Gators are 47-5 in the month of November all-time under Donovan and 23-1 over the last four years with the only loss being last year's overtime setback to Kansas in Las Vegas.

The Gators have out-ebounded their last two opponents by a combined 91-50 margin, including 35 on the offensive end.

Sophomore center Marreese Speights and freshman swingman Nick Calathes are tied for the team lead in scoring at 15.8 points per game. Speights is shooting 67 percent from the floor. Junior guard Walter Hodge is averaging 11.0 points and freshman guard Jai Lucas 10.5 for Florida.

North Florida comes in off a victory over Concordia on Friday. Junior guard Tom Hammonds leads the Ospreys in scoring at 13.0 and rebounding at 6.3 perc contest.