Thursday, March 13th, 7:30 p.m. (et).

FACTS & STATS: Site: Georgia Dome (26,000) -- Atlanta, Georgia. Television: Local. Home Record: Alabama 13-5, Florida 15-4. Away Record: Alabama 1-9, Florida 3-6. Neutral Record: Alabama 2-1, Florida 3-0. Conference Record: Alabama 5-11, Florida 8-8. Series Record: Alabama leads, 72-55.

GAME NOTES: The Alabama Crimson Tide and the Florida Gators are set to collide in the first round of the 2008 SEC Tournament, and the winner will advance to Friday's quarterfinal round to do battle with Mississippi State, the top seed from the West Division. Fifth-seeded Alabama has six SEC Tournament titles to its credit, the second-most among all active league members. Still, the Tide have not captured the crown since 1991. The team is a game over .500 on the season at 16-15, but the 5-11 league record is bitterly disappointing. Florida, the East Division's fourth seed, has won this tournament the last three years, including a 21-point romp over Arkansas in the 2007 title game. Still, this year's group of Gators is much different than those championship teams, as all five starters from the dynasty had to be replaced. As a result, many analysts feel that Florida needs to make a deep run in this event to avoid being left out of the upcoming NCAA Tournament. Florida beat Alabama by a 90-83 final back in early January, but the Tide owns a 72-55 advantage in the all-time series.

The Crimson Tide has plenty of talent in the starting lineup, including big man Richard Hendrix who is fourth in the conference in scoring (17.7 ppg) and tops in rebounding (10.1 rpg). He has also blocked 59 shots and is shooting a stellar 60.2 percent from the floor. Unfortunately, his 52.4 percent efficiency from the foul line could prove costly in close tournament games as it has at times this season. Alonzo Gee is netting 14.6 ppg for the Crimson Tide, and Mykal Riley is posting 14.5 ppg. Unfortunately, those three players get little help from a lackluster supporting cast, as no other player is netting more than 6.4 ppg. It is absolutely imperative that Hendrix, Gee and Riley stay out of foul trouble against the Gators, because they will all have to log at least 30 minutes to give 'Bama a chance to win.

Florida leads the SEC in field goal percentage (.492) and is second behind only Tennessee in scoring margin. The Gators are racking up 78.4 ppg, and they are limiting the opposition to 68.2 ppg. One player to watch is freshman point guard Nick Calathes, who has made an immediate impact as a rookie. Calathes is scoring 15.9 ppg to go along with 6.1 apg and 5.0 rpg, proof of his tremendous versatility. The first-year standout also leads the club with 47 steals and is tops in minutes per game as well. Marreese Speights adds 14.4 ppg to the mix, and Walter Hodge is posting 10.4 ppg. Other players such as Dan Werner and Jai Lucas have also been solid offensive contributors. Just the fact that Florida is being considered for the NCAA Tournament considering the youth and inexperience of the squad is an accomplishment.

Give the edge to the Gators in what should be a close game from start to finish. Florida simply has more depth than Alabama, which relies too heavily on its big three.

Predicted Outcome

Florida 78, Alabama 72