Semi-Finals

Florida 81 vs. LSU 65

Noah’s “DUCE” leads Florida past LSU

Gaylord Entertainment Center – Nashville, TN

During their AAU and post season all-star days each time that I saw LSU’s 6-8 310lbs -Glen “Big Baby” Davis play against Florida’s 6-11, 227lbs-Joakim Noah I always felt that Noah let Davis and the other big men that came out in 2004 (Dwight Howard, Al Jefferson and Randolph Morris just to name a few) push him around too much, well this isn’t high school or AAU and Noah isn’t the soft touch I thought he was because he dominated Davis finishing the game with a “DUCE”, 15-points and 12-rebounds as the “Gators” dropped the “Tigers”.

From the start it appeared as if Florida had the livelier legs; 6-2 Jr.-Lee Humphrey got the “Gators” off to a good start nailing a long three-pointer from the corner. 6-10 So.-Joakin Noah followed that up with a dunk giving Florida an early 5-2 lead.

6-8 So.-Glen Davis who got off to a big-time start on Friday against Vanderbilt missed his first couple of shots and struggled most of the game. LSU’s 6-7 Fr.-Tasmin Mitchell a former McDonald’s All-American is quickly developing into one of the elite players in the SEC, he scored a pair of baskets to pull the “Tigers” even at 8-8.

A few minutes later Davis score his first basket and Mitchell score again giving LSU a 17-11 lead. Behind their All-SEC guard 6-0 So.-Taurean Green the “Gators” fought back, Greens steal led to basket by 6-9 Sr.-Adrian Moss that put Florida back in front 18-17. Green then made his second steal and scored as the lead grew to 22-17 forcing LSU to call a timeout.

With 6:45 left in the half, 5-11 Sr.-Darrel Mitchell scored back-to-back hoops for the “Tigers” putting them back in front 26-25.

Noah was really bumped up for his match-up against Davis and it showed as he continually beat “Big Baby” to every loose rebound and easily went around and over the All-SEC performer to get his shot off, his lay-up cut LSU’s lead to 39-36. T. Mitchell finished off a good first half with another basket as LSU took a 41-38 lead into the half.

LSU scored the first 4 points of the second half to open up a 43-38 lead. With the excitement of the game starting to take over the play got a little sloppy over the next several minutes as both teams took turns jacking up missed shots.

Two dunks by Noah really fired up the “Gators” faithful and the 6-11 sophomore as he pounded his chest letting everyone know ….yeah!, I ‘ve got heart baby!; the two baskets gave Florida a 50-48 lead. LSU started to look as if they were starting to run out of gas, especially “Big Baby” who picked up his 4^th personal foul. Over the next several minutes Florida started seizing control of the game, Green drilled a pair of three-pointers to lead a 10-0 run that gave Florida their largest lead of the game 72-59 with 4:24 to play.

After a brief rest Davis appeared to get his second wind hitting a couple of baskets to cut the lead to 74-65 but it was too little to late. The “Tigers” failed to score over the last 2:00 minutes of the game.

 6-8 So.-Al Horford finished off the “Tigers” and the game with a dunk as the Florida “Gators” for the 3^rd consecutive year will advance to the SEC Championship game to face the South Carolina “Gamecocks”, who have beaten the “Gators” twice this season.

Scoring Recap

Florida:

Taurean Green scored 18 points to pace the “Gators”. Corey Brewer and Joakim Noah each finished with 15 points. Noah also grabbed a game high 12-rebounds to complete the “DUCE”. Al Horford and Chris Richard added 10 points apiece. Richard also added 7 rebounds. Lee Humphrey chipped in with 9 points.