BUCKEYES OUR BITCHES NOW

By KEVIN BROCKWAY
Sun sports writer

Ohio State freshman Greg Oden, left, challenges Florida junior Taurean Green, who led all scorers with 24 points.

There was a surprise return, big bodies banging in the paint and little guys making an even bigger impact.

By the time it was over, fifth-ranked Florida regained some of its lost March swagger. Before a record 12,621 at the O'Connell Center, the reigning national champion Gators played their most inspired game of the season in an 86-60 rout of No. 3 Ohio State.

Florida maintained its defensive intensity throughout, holding the Buckeyes to a season-low 36.5 percent from the floor. Point guard Taurean Green again shined on a nationally televised stage, leading four Florida scorers in double figures with 24 points.

"We wanted to make a statement," said forward Corey Brewer, who added 18 points and three steals. "We wanted to show the country that the Gators are still here, still the champions."

It was Florida's most lopsided win against a ranked opponent since beating Alabama by 31 points in February 2005. Florida (11-2) had lost its two biggest non-conference tests this season — Kansas and Florida State — by a combined six points.

"It's one game," Florida coach Billy Donovan said. "For our guys, it's a reminder of how good we can potentially be.

"It certainly was our best game of the season, but the sun comes up tomorrow. It's a new day and it becomes old news."

The win, though, should give Florida something to build on through the holidays and into the Southeastern Conference schedule, which begins Jan. 6 at home against Georgia.

"The games are a test," Noah said. "And Ohio State was like the exam for the first semester. We passed it. We got an A. We're pretty happy right now. We're going to show mommy and daddy the grade and then we're going to do it all over again the second semester."

Ohio State coach Thad Matta said his Buckeyes couldn't match Florida's intensity and experience.

"They are the champions until someone takes it from them in April," Matta said. "Obviously, they showed their experience and ability to play off each other today."

Much of the hype entering the game surrounded how Florida's big men would handle Ohio State freshman center Greg Oden. The Buckeyes' 7-footer picked up his first foul 21 seconds into the game and battled foul trouble to finish with seven points, six rebounds and four blocked shots in 28 minutes.

Mike Conley Jr. led Ohio State (10-2) with 13 points and seven assists, with junior guard Jamar Butler adding 11 points.

Florida star forward Joakim Noah was more distributor than scorer, ending up with seven points, nine rebounds, four assists and three blocks. But the key was the return of junior center Al Horford from a high ankle sprain. Horford didn't start, but in 28 minutes off the bench, recorded his fifth double-double of the season with 11 points and 11 rebounds.

More importantly, Horford was another experienced post defender that the 18-year-old Oden was forced to contend with.

"We stayed behind him and on the floor the whole time," Horford said. "That's how we were able to stop him. We made him shoot over us."

Horford's return seemed to inspire the rest of the team. Finally back at full strength following illnesses and injuries to Brewer, Horford and Noah since late November, Florida dove for loose balls, made the extra pass and crashed the boards with passion -- things that were missing at points during its 10-2 start.

"It was at another level, the way we focused, the energy we played with," Green said. "We have to learn to play that way every game."

Florida led 38-29 at halftime before Ohio State went on a 9-0 run to start the second half, tying the score at 38 on an Ivan Harris 3-pointer. But with the score tied at 40, Florida responded with a 20-5 run to take control of the game.

Green capped the run with a 3-pointer with 11:37 remaining, prompting Matta to call a timeout.

"We learned a great lesson of how good Taurean Green is," Matta said. "He got inside, forced our rotations and made our bigs have to slide over to guard the basket. We weren't as strong taking the ball to the basket. They took it to us."

Florida made an astounding 20-of-27 shots after intermission, extending the lead to as many at 29 points in the closing minutes.

"You could look into their eyes at that point and see that they were kind of lost," Noah said. "That's when we knew we had to go in for the kill. We couldn't let them back into the game."

Both teams struggled early, combining to miss their first nine 3-point attempts. Ohio State scored its first 10 points off five Florida turnovers.

Green put Florida ahead 18-17 with a 3-pointer and Lee Humphrey, who scored 10 of his 12 in the first half, hit a 3-pointer on an inbounds play to extend the Florida lead to 23-20. Florida went on to score the next 10 point, jumping ahead 33-20 on Humphrey's second 3-pointer of the half.

Oden then got more involved, scoring two straight baskets on a dunk and putback to cut Florida's lead to 36-29. But Green got Oden to foul him in the lane in the closing seconds and made both free throws to put Florida ahead 38-29 at halftime.

Florida shot 9-of-18 from 3-point range and balanced 16 turnovers with 18 assists.

"We had a great balance of perimeter and post," Donovan said. "Taurean is a guy who continues to play well in big games for us. He does not get the same exposure as some of our other guys but is really important to our success."