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Youthful Florida looks to take next step

Nov 14, 2008 - 11:15 AM Toledo at No. 19 Florida, 6:00 p.m. EST

GAINESVILLE, Florida (Ticker) -- A young Florida squad will aim to start the new season on a good note when it faces Toledo in the CBE Classic on Thursday.

After collecting consecutive national championships in 2006 and '07, Florida was forced to field a team of mostly freshmen last season after the early departures of Al Horford, Joakim Noah and others. The Gators struggled before finishing at 24-12 and an appearance in the semifinals of the NIT Tournament.

Most of those young players are back for their sophomore year, including Nick Calathes, who scored 15.3 points while setting the school record for most assists in a season (221).

A swingman most of last year, Calathes was switched to the point by coach Billy Donovan, a move that led to previous starter Jai Lewis' transfer despite a solid freshman campaign.

Calathes will be joined in the backcourt by the lone senior on the team. Walter Hodge is the lone holdover from the Gators' championship seasons. Hodge averaged 10.4 points while shooting 36.7 percent from 3-point range.

In the frontcourt, Florida is anchored by junior Dan Werner and sophomore Chandler Parsons after Marreese Speights opted to forego his final two seasons for the NBA. Also expected to start is sophomore Alex Tyus.

The Gators will be facing Toledo for the first time. The Rockets, who are coming off an 11-19 campaign, are led by senior swingman Tyrone Kent, who averaged 16.9 points.

Florida has won its last 17 season openers.