The Florida Gators begin the regular season and the mother of all Fall sports weekends. At 7pm, the Gators face UNC Wilmington of the CAA. The No. 9 Gators approach this season with a renewed sense of confidence and hope that they can again compete with the nation's elite.
While the CAA is a decent Mid-Major conference with Old Dominion, George Mason and Virginia Commonwealth, UNCW is fighting way above their class tonight. The Seahawks have lost players to transfers and injuries, leaving a team picked last in their league. That follows a season in which they went 9-22. The Seahawks are a small team, as well.
Florida's approach has to be getting in to a rhythm, rebounding and working the young players into the lineup. I especially want to see what Patric Young can do when on the floor with Kenny Boynton and Erving Walker. Young is a better talent than Vernon Macklin or Alex Tyus and should get more touches. Boynton and Walker need to feed the freshman and see what he can do.
Tonight's game is not just the appetizer for the showdown against No. 4 Ohio State, but the entire weekend. At 6pm, Florida soccer begins the NCAA Tournament against Mercer. If they win, UF would play the winner of Cal-Duke on Sunday at 1pm. Also on Sunday, your No. 1 Florida volleyball team plays Alabama and softball has an exhibition doubleheader.