First place in the Southeastern Conference is on the line when No. 6 Florida hosts Alabama Saturday afternoon. Alabama trails the Gators by a game and it can win the regular-season championship by winning its last three regular-season games.Florida expects to at full strength for the stretch run. Key reserves Will Yeguete (knee), Michael Frazier (concussion) and Casey Prather (head gash) are all expected to play Saturday. Yeguete has been sidelined since Feb. 8. Frazier didn't play Tuesday in a 64-58 loss at Tennessee because of a concussion and Prather was injured late in that game, but all returned to practice Thursday. It will be the first time since Feb. 2 that the Gators have an eight-man rotation.TV: 12 p.m. ET, ESPN.ABOUT ALABAMA (19-9, 11-4 SEC): Despite Alabama's position in the SEC race, it's not a lock for an at-large bid in the NCAA field. The Crimson Tide enter the game with an RPI of 62 and are 0-2 against ranked teams. Alabama has struggled to score in conference play, averaging 61 points, and is 270th overall in the nation in scoring. But the Tide have won six of their last seven games, including a 61-43 win over rival Auburn last time out. Their only loss in the last seven outings was a triple-overtime setback at LSU. Alabama is 4-6 on the road.ABOUT FLORIDA (22-5, 12-3): The Gators are 13-0 at home and need a strong finish to the regular season to hang on to a No. 1 or 2 seed in the NCAA tournament. Despite losing two of their last three games, the Gators' resume remains strong as their list of victories includes an 18-point win over Wisconsin, a 33-point victory over Marquette, a 31-point victory over Missouri and a 17-point victory over Kentucky. Florida is ranked eighth in the RPI and it has beaten Alabama seven of the last eight times. Coach Bill Donovan is 8-0 against the Crimson Tide at home.TIP-INS1. Florida ranks third in the nation in scoring defense at 53.5 points per game.2. Thursday was the first time in 138 days that the Gators' full team participated in practice.3. Florida's Kenny Boynton needs four points to pass Andrew Moten on the Gators' all-time scoring list. PREDICTION: Florida 75, Alabama 64
Preview: Alabama at Florida
Published: Mar 01 2013 10:37:19 AM EST
Updated On: Mar 01 2013 10:37:20 AM EST
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