2012 Florida Gators vs. Marquette Golden Eagles basketball primer

No. 7 Florida will host Marquette in one of the feature match-ups of the SEC/Big East Challenge. The Gators and Golden Eagles met last year in the Sweet 16 of the 2012 NCAA Tournament, with Donovan and Co. topping the boys from Milwaukee, 68-58, to advance to the Elite 8.

Jamil Wilson will be a key contributor for the Golden Eagles against the Gators tonight. (Jeff Hanisch-US Presswire)

Location: Gainesville, FL, Stephen C. O’Connnell Center

Time: 9 p.m.

Television/Local Radio: ESPN, ESPN Radio 850/900

Florida Gators Starting Five

15 Will Yeguete F 6-7 240 Jr. 6.8/7.8

33 Erik Murphy F 6-10 238 Sr. 4 Patric Young C 6-9 249 Jr.

1 Kenny Boynton G 6-2 190 Sr.

3 Mike Rosario G 6-3 183 RSr.

Marquette Golden Eagles 

Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Cl. P/RPG

10 Juan Anderson F 6-6 210 So. 5.3/3.3

42 Chris Otule C 6-11 275 RSr. 8.5/3.3

5 Junior Cadougan G 6-1 205 Sr. 7.0/5.0a

13 Vander Blue G 6-4 200 Jr. 11.4/1.8

22 Trent Lockett G 6-5 210 Sr. 9.0/4.5

Florida Gators (5-0) Overview:

The Gators are 1-2 all-time against Marquette. One big change for the Gators so far this season has been employing more zone defense, which has given opposing offenses fits in the early going. The Gators are No. 2 in opponent points per game allowed at 48.9. The leading scorer for the Gators this season is senior guard Kenny Boynton, who is registering a healthy 16.2 per game. Another factor in the Gators recent success has been the development of the front court players, featuring junior Patric Young, senior Erik Murphy and junior Will Yeguete. Murphy has added some post moves in addition to his ability to shoot the ball as a stretch four. The main reason for the Gators Sweet 16 victory back in March was the performance of Bradley Beal, who took his talents to the NBA back in June.

Marquette Golden Eagles (5-1) Overview:

Buzz Williams’ team is finally at full strength with the return of junior guard Vander Blue, who is perhaps the best player on Marquette. Blue was held out of Monday’s game against UMBC due to a knee injury. The only loss this season came in a closely contested 72-71 defeat to Butler. Marquette junior forward Davonte Gardner leads the team in scoring and rebounding at 14 points and 6.5 rebounds per game. The Golden Eagles are currently averaging 17.7 assists per game, good for 15th in the nation. One player to watch is junior forward Jamil Wilson, who stepped into the starting lineup after the injury to Blue. Wilson led Marquette in scoring and rebounding against UMBC with 15 points and six boards.

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