Florida Returns to O'Connell Center to Host Coppin State on Wednesday
Tuesday, December 9, 2008 | Women's Basketball
After four games and 16 days, the 23rd-ranked University of Florida women's basketball team finally returns to Gainesville and the friendly confines of the Stephen C. O'Connell Center, where on Wed., Dec. 10, the Gators play host to Coppin State. The mid-week game is the second of two basketball double-headers with the Florida men's team this season and tip-off for Wednesday's women's game is set for 5:30 p.m., before the Gator men hit the court against Florida Gulf Coast at 8 p.m.
Florida brings an eight-game win streak into Wednesday's game, the longest such run since the 2005-06 season, when the team reeled off 11 consecutive victories from Nov. 27 to Jan. 5th. The eight-game run win streak includes three at away sites and a pair on a neutral court.
"We are excited to be back and playing at home again. As exciting as our win streak has been to us, the only disappointing part of it has been that so many of the big wins have been away from the O'Connell Center," UF head coach Amanda Butler said. "We haven't been able to perform in front of our home fans so we're excited to bring this win streak to the O'Connell Center and hope to continue it."
When the Gators (8-1) take the court on Wednesday, it will be as the nation's 23rd-ranked team, as voted by the Associated Press which released its weekly top-25 poll on Dec. 8th. This is Florida's first national ranking since Feb. 27, 2006, when the team was tied-for-23rd.
When Florida earned the No. 23 spot in the Dec. 8, 2008 ranking, Butler joined an elite list of women. She is one of only 24 in the history of NCAA Division I women's basketball who have played for a team that was ranked in the AP Top-25 and later coached a team that earned a top-25 ranking. Even more rare is the fact the Butler played for and coached the SAME team that earned a top-25 ranking, becoming only the sixth woman ever to accomplish that feat.
Wednesday will be the first-ever meeting between Florida and Coppin State, which is still searching for its first win of the season, opening 2008-09 season playing a brutal schedule, with each of the team's first eight coming on the road.
Senior forward Danielle Anders is the only Eagle posting a double-figure scoring effort, contributing 11.6 points per game, while collecting 4.4 rebounds. Anders was a Second Team All-MEAC selection by the league's coaches during the preseason, when Coppin State was picked to finish fourth, but received two first-place votes. Senior center Whitney Cunningham, who was named to the five-player preseason All-MEAC first team, is the leader inside, where she collects 7.6 rebounds per game, while scoring 9.1 points per outing.
In Florida's last three games, senior Sha Brooks (Jackson, Tenn.) is averaging 17.3 points, 5.0 assists and 2.0 steals per game, while converting all 18 of her free throw attempts. She began the three-game run with a season- and game-high 25 points against No. 21/19 Arizona State in the championship game of the Junkanoo Jam, which included two free throws with seven seconds remaining to seal the upset victory. On the road at UAB, Brooks totaled 12 points that included the game-winner with five seconds remaining to lead the Gators. On Sunday at N.C. State, she scored a team-high 15 points and hit 9-of-9 from the free throw line, including four in the final 29 seconds to secure the five-point win. Overall, Brooks is averaging 13.2 points per game and has hit 18 consecutive free throws.
Senior forward Marshae Dotson (Columbus, Ohio) continues to anchor the paint, where she collects a team-high 8.0 rebounds along with 11.9 points per game. Junior Sharielle Smith (Bradenton, Fla.) chips in 9.9 points along with 6.3 rebounds.
The Gators also carry a modest 11-game home winning streak versus non-conference opponents into Wednesday's game against Coppin State, including a 3-0 record this season.
Game Day Information
What: No. 23 Florida (8-1) hosts Coppin State (0-7)
Doubleheader with Gator men's team, which hosts FGCU at 8 p.m.
When: Wednesday, December 10, 2008 * 5:30 p.m.
Where: Gainesville, Fla. * Stephen C. O'Connell Center (12,000)
Radio: LIVE on WRUF AM850 in Gainesville - audio simulcast on Cox Channel 96 with Steve Babik & Steve Russell
Internet Audio: LIVE thru GatorZone.com (FREE of charge)
GatorVision Online: LIVE streaming video thru www.GatorZone.com
Television: none
Post-Game Satellite Feed: 8-8:15 p.m. ET
KU Band Digital Feed - Galaxy 17, Transponder 24K, Slot F
Downlink Freq.: 12187.5 Vertical ... Symbol Rate: 3.9787 ... Data Rate: 5.5
FEC: 3/4 ... Sat Truck Trouble #: 352-392-8043
Tickets (doubleheader): all fans wanting to attend the Doubleheader will need to purchase a men's ticket at $20 regardless if they want to stay for the men's game or not. The only exceptions to not needing a men's ticket are Women's Season Pass holders and Gator Gold Card holders.
SPECIAL TICKET PROMOTION: Fans who donate a toy of approximately $5 in value to be given to the TOYS FOR TOTS program will receive a voucher to purchase 2-for-1 general admission tickets at the ticket office. Toys will be collected by the United States Marine Corps from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. outside of Gate 1 of the Stephen C. O'Connell Center.
Parking: fans can park in the O'Connell Center parking garage for free until halftime of the women's game; entrance to the O'Connell Center parking garage area will only be allowed off of SW 2nd Ave.
Additional Game-Day Hoopla
Early Bird Raffle: First 2,000 fans at the women's game prior to halftime, receive raffle tickets to be entered into a drawing for great prizes such as restaurant and store gift certificates, Gator gear and more!
TOYS FOR TOTS 2-for-1 Admission: Florida encourages fans to a toy to donate to the Toys for Tots program before Wednesday's doubleheader. Toys will be collected by the United States Marine Corps, on behalf of the Toys for Tots program, from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. outside of Gate 1 of the Stephen C. O'Connell Center. Fans who donate a toy of approximately $5 in value will receive a voucher to purchase 2-for-1 general admission tickets at the ticket office.
-UF-
