• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Florida tries to remain perfect against Providence

Dec 6, 2006 - 4:08 PM Providence (6-1) at No. 7 Florida (7-2) 7:00 pm EST

GAINESVILLE, Florida (Ticker) -- Shorthanded Florida seeks a 4-0 all-time record against Providence on Wednesday.

The seventh-ranked Gators are coming off a 70-66 setback to Florida State on Sunday. Florida was without swingman Corey Brewer, who missed his second straight game due to a battle with mononucleosis, and Joakim Noah was slowed by the flu.

Taurean Green scored 21 points and Walter Hodge added 17 for the Gators, who committed 19 turnovers.

Meanwhile, the Friars have won five straight contests. They posted a 67-50 victory over Fairfield on Monday. Freshman Dwain Williams netted 19 points and Herbert Hill added 18 and five blocks.

Weyinmi Efejuku had 17 points for Providence, which drilled 9-of-14 3-pointers.

Florida made it three straight wins over Providence with an 87-77 decision exactly one year ago. Gators coach Billy Donovan played for Providence from 1983-87 and helped lead the Friars to the Final Four his senior year.

The Friars are just 8-13 all-time versus Southeastern Conference opponents.