Florida’s reward for thumping California-Santa Barbara 79-51 in the opening game of the NCAA Tournament? A chance to knock UCLA out of the tournament for the third time in six years.
The Gators (27-7) will face UCLA (23-10) in the Round of 32 on Saturday at approximately 2:45 p.m on CBS. Their bi-coastal battle will tip off at the St. Pete Times Forum after Kentucky faces West Virginia at 12:15 p.m.
UCLA, a No. 7 seed, is in this game by virtue of slipping by Michigan State 78-76 late Thursday.
Florida beat the Bruins in the 2006 national championship game and again in the 2007 Final Four.
UCLA went 2-2 against ranked opponents and now is 5-7 vs. the tournament field. The Gators are 14-3 against tournament teams.
