If the Gators have learned one thing this season, it's that when the chips are down, Nick Calathes antes up.
The sophomore scored 32 points in Saturday's come-from-behind win against North Carolina State, 24 in the second half, and delivered the last 12 of the game for UF.
In many ways, the Gators have looked somewhat lost this season - a young team trying to find consistency across the floor.
What they have found, however, is their go-to guy.
And when UF (12-2) takes the court against Longwood tonight at 7 p.m. in the O'Connell Center, Calathes will look to lead his team to one more confidence-boosting win before the start of Southeastern Conference play.
"In order to be a leader, you have to first figure out how to handle adversity and then you have to be able to fight through it and bring your team with you," Donovan said. "I think that when we we're down against NC State, Nick provided some great emotion and some great energy for our team. He's shown some great strides and growth these last three weeks."
Whether he's the one pulling the trigger on the final shot like he did against the Wolfpack or creating one for a teammate, Calathes is the man running the show.
When Walter Hodge drained a last-second three to beat Washington earlier this season, it was Calathes who drove down the lane, drawing a double-team before kicking it out to the open senior.
"The sign of any good player is when a guy can take other people with him," Donovan said.
Calathes has routinely drawn praise from opposing coaches this season, but none was more impressed than NC State's Sidney Lowe.
Lowe, a former point guard himself, led the Wolfpack to a national title as a player in 1983.
"When you have a smart player like that - that can pass and also get to the basket with his size, because he can look over the defense - it's tough (to match up)," Lowe said.
At least on the court, Calathes has become the general of a team that in many ways is still yet to be battle-tested.
If the Gators hope to avoid another trip to the NIT and make it back to the NCAA Tournament this season, they will need their star to shine on the big stage.
Something Donovan said Calathes wasn't entirely prepared to do as a freshman.
"I think there are some things that he has found out about himself that he didn't really know were inside of him," Donovan said.
Calathes leads the Gators in scoring this season (17 points per game) and assists (seven per game).
Injury Update:
Sophomore Adam Allen had surgery to repair an injury to the patella tendon in his left knee Dec. 30.
The injury was originally diagnosed as a strained MCL, but as the pain persisted, it became clear it was more severe than the UF medical staff originally thought.
"I would say that he is probably done for the year," Donovan said. "He has another four weeks (of recovery) after (the surgery)."
Allen has not played all season because of the injury and will likely take a medical redshirt.
The sophomore averaged 4 points per game as freshman.
