The young UF frontcourt showed flashes of its potential against Auburn on Wednesday. Saturday, the Gators will be face to face with talent realized.
When they take the court against Arkansas in the O'Connell Center at 2 p.m., Alex Tyus and company will get a firsthand look at the best the Southeastern Conference has to offer.
Razorbacks big man Michael Washington is averaging 17.1 points and 10.5 rebounds per game and is the only player in the SEC averaging a double-double.
"Michael Washington right now, I think, just based on this point in time of the season, has got to be a guy that you would consider for player of the year in the league," UF coach Billy Donovan said. "We've got to be very, very concerned."
For a UF team (15-2, 2-0 SEC) that has struggled to stand strong in the paint this season, containing the platoon of athletic Arkansas (12-3, 0-2 SEC) post players will be a tough task.
The Razorbacks complement Washington with 6-foot-8 forward Michael Sanchez.
"I think if we're small like that, we've got to hit them first. Hit 'em in the legs, box 'em out and get the rebound. … I think we got to hit 'em first," UF point guard Nick Calathes said. "I think any team in the country does those kinds of things."
Arkansas will also throw out 6-foot-6, 220 pound former NFL wide receiver Marcus Monk.
As a freshman, Monk played sparingly on the basketball team at Arkansas but starred on the football field for former head coach Huston Nutt, setting an SEC freshman record with 37 receptions.
Monk had a breakout season as a junior (50 catches for 962 yards and 11 TDs) and gave up his final year of college eligibility for the NFL draft.
He was taken in the seventh round by Chicago Bears but was cut midway through the preseason. The New York Giants picked him up, but he was waived a week later.
Monk is now taking advantage of his final year of eligibility while he waits for his next NFL opportunity.
Arkansas reeled off impressive wins against then-No. 4 Oklahoma and then-No. 7 Texas earlier this season before going 0-2 to start SEC play.
The Razorbacks are coming off a 74-65 loss to Mississippi on Wednesday night.
"I think the league is maybe a lot better than what people thought in November or December, because I still think there's a lot of youthfulness in our league," Donovan said.
Freshman Allen Chaney missed Wednesday's game against Auburn with back spasms but should play against the Razorbacks.
"Any time you're dealing with a back and the discomfort he was in, you just always want to make sure he gets himself back healthy," Donovan said.
