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Home > SECWB News & More! > SEC Teams > Florida > Florida vs. Xavier Preview
Florida vs. Xavier Preview
by LeAnne Harrington
Posted: November 9th, 2007 @ 2:13am
Gator-ball, Butler-style, makes it’s official debut Friday evening Nov. 9 when Florida hosts the Xavier Musketeers. First-year Florida head coach Amanda Butler, a former Gator guard, was known as a tough-as-nails competitor when she played in the Swamp. Here’s hoping her new team has adopted her competitive mentality and toughness, because their matchup with Xavier is the toughest debut for a new Gator head coach in Florida women’s basketball history. Tonight’s game against the Musketeers, who received a bid to the 2007 NCAA Tournament, marks the first time the Gators have hosted a conference champion in their season opener -- Xavier finished the 2006-2007 season with a 26-8 mark and were the Atlantic 10 Tournament Champions.
Xavier returns only one starter from last year’s squad, but that player is sophomore Amber Harris, a 6’5” forward who was last season’s Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year. As a freshman, Harris led the Musketeers with 16.3 points per game, 8.9 rebounds per game and 4.0 blocks per game. Her 136 blocks for the season led the Atlantic 10 Conference and she finished the year third in the nation in blocks per game. This season, Harris has been named to the 2007-08 John R. Wooden Award Pre-season watch list, has been chosen as a Pre-season Third Team All-America selection by The Sporting News, and is a Pre-season All-Atlantic 10 First Team pick. Joining Harris in the front court is 6’6” freshman center Ta’Shia Phillips, Indiana Miss Basketball and a McDonald’s All-American, who was the highest-rated post player in the nation among high school seniors last year. Phillips, rated the #2 overall recruit by Blue Chip, was nursing a shoulder injury and did not play in Xavier’s exhibition loss to the OGBR Legends, but Harris scored 24 points and ripped down 13 rebounds in 30 minutes of play. Phillips is expected to start along with Harris against Florida, and if so, the duo will be one of the tallest and most talented front courts the Gators will see all season.
Florida is led by junior Sha Brooks, a 5’7” guard who led the team in scoring last season with a 15.4 ppg average. Brooks, who can play either point or #2 guard, has a quick first step and can drive and score in the paint or burn opponents from the outside (she finished in the top 3 in the SEC in 3-point shooting last season). Another returning starter is senior Depree Bowden, a 5’11” forward who averaged 12.8 points per game while pulling down 6.9 rebounds per game. Bowden, the lone Gator senior, is quick, athletic and can score from anywhere on the perimeter. Joining Bowden in the frontcourt is 5’11” junior forward Marshae Dotson, Florida’s leading rebounder last season (7.6 rpg) and second leading scorer (14.4 ppg). Dotson is tough in the paint and can play with her back to the basket or can face up and score.
With only 3 players over six feet, and all 3 being newcomers to the program, Florida will be at a distinctive height disadvantage in their game with Xavier. In fact, the Gators will probably be outsized at every position on the court. Florida must rely on their speed and smarts or this game could get ugly quickly.
Florida and Xavier have played only one time previously, with Xavier winning last year’s season opener against the Gators 86-70. But, head coach Amanda Butler sports a 3-0 record against the Musketeers, having played Xavier while head coach at UNC-Charlotte.
Game time is set for 5:30 EST at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center in Gainesville and will be the first game in a double-header with the 2-time defending National Champion Florida Gators men’s team.
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