Gators Use All Their Options

Florida 82, Wisconsin-Milwaukee 60

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., March 18 -- By the end, every Florida player looked like an interchangeable part, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee players said. Each Gator seemed gigantic yet graceful, a combination far too versatile to defend.

Four Florida players took turns making almost identical plays in an 82-60 win in the second round of the NCAA tournament Saturday, and their overall presence so overwhelmed Milwaukee that the four Gators blended into one, overwhelming prototype. Joakim Noah, Corey Brewer, Al Horford and Adrian Moss -- all 6 feet 8 or taller -- blocked shots, stole rebounds and scored easily to propel Florida (29-6) to the round of 16 for the first time since 2000.

"It was like playing a bunch of giants," Milwaukee guard Chris Hill said. "All those guys can do some things that are freakish."

After reaching the round of 16 last season and upsetting Oklahoma in the first round, 11th-seeded Milwaukee (22-9) had earned a reputation for overcoming almost anything in this tournament. But the Panthers had never seen a team with Florida's combination of height and athletic ability.

Florida never trailed, and the second half turned into a jubilant celebration. With six minutes left and a 15-point lead, Noah turned to the crowd and slapped his gigantic arms into a gator chop, lifting a pro-Florida crowd at Veterans Memorial Arena to a standing ovation.

"It's just an unbelievable feeling, and we're just getting started," said Noah, who had 17 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 blocks. "We played that game with fire. I'd like to think we made a pretty big statement."

Florida had lost on the first weekend of the last five NCAA tournaments despite being seeded No. 5 or higher, but another early exit never looked possible Saturday. The Gators took an eight-point lead into halftime by negating Milwaukee's best offensive player. Joah Tucker had scored in double figures for 27 consecutive games, but he had three shots blocked Saturday and managed only nine points. The Panthers were forced to rely almost exclusively on center Adrian Tigert, who scored a game-high 27.

Florida, though, exploited a bevy of options. Coach Billy Donovan often played with a lineup consisting of one guard and four players taller than Milwaukee's center. Florida -- whose 50.8 percent field goal percentage is the best in the country -- packed its offense near the basket, scored 40 points in the lane and dunked nine times.

"I'm proud of the way the kids played," Donovan said. "They took it hard inside."