Gators Hoops Begin Tournament Play

How significant is March Madness? Sixty percent of Americans said they plan on filling out an NCAA bracket, according to an online MSN survey. Comparatively, 57 percent of eligible Americans voted in the 2012 Presidential election. It’s probably safe to say the percentage of fans choosing Florida over Northwestern State is even higher.

In the wise words of ESPN’s college football analyst Lee Corso, “Not so fast my friend.” This Demon team enters the tournament for only the third time in program history and is ranked in the top-50 in all four major statistics. They’re first in the nation in scoring with 81 points per game; 13th in rebounds per game, grabbing 39 per contest; 24th in assists; dishing out 15 a game; and shooting 46 percent from the floor.

Northwestern State has four players scoring in double figures, with junior forward DeQuan Hicks averaging 14 points a game on 58 percent shooting followed by senior guard Shamir Davis with 12 points.

The Gators are averaging 10 points fewer than the Demons on 48 percent shooting, which is eighth best in the NCAA. UF has four players scoring in double digits as well with senior guard Kenny Boynton and senior forward Erik Murphy leading the team with 12 points. Murphy has been able to shoot 52 percent from the floor and 45 percent from the 3-point line. In order for this team to do well, he says they have to come out and play composed.

This will be the Gators 18th appearance in the tournament, boasting a 35-15 tourney record. Be sure to catch all the live coverage of tonight’s game starting at 6:50 p.m. on our sister station, Country 103.7 The Gator.