By Pat Taggart, College Basketball Staff Writer

Tuesday, December 6th, 7:30 p.m. (et).

FACTS & STATS: Site: Dunkin' Donuts Center (12,993) -- Providence, Rhode Island. Television: Local. Home Record: Florida 5-0, Providence 2-0. Away Record: Florida 0-0, Providence 1-2. Neutral Record: Florida 2-0, Providence 0-0. Conference Record: Florida 0-0, Providence 0-0. Series Record: Florida leads, 2-0.

GAME NOTES: The 10th-ranked Florida Gators will attempt to keep their undefeated record intact as they travel north to play a non-conference game against the Providence Friars. Florida lost its three best players from a year ago, so many believed the team could potentially get off to a slow start this season. That certainly hasn't been the case, as the Gators have beaten the likes of Wake Forest and Syracuse en route to a 7-0 record. The most recent triumph for the club came on Saturday in an 80-47 romp over UCF that marked head coach Billy Donovan's 200th win in his 10th year as the leader of the program. As for Providence, it carries a 3-2 record into tonight's tilt, including a 2-0 mark at home. On Saturday, the Friars dropped a 77-69 decision to rival Rhode Island, marking the second straight loss for the club after opening the season with three consecutive triumphs. Florida posted an 84-66 decision over Providence last season and owns a 2-0 edge in the all-time series between the two teams.

Through seven games, Florida is scoring 79.4 ppg on 52.9 percent shooting from the field, including 43 percent from three-point range. Defensively, the club is limiting its opponents to just 61.4 ppg on 41 percent efficiency from the floor. Four players are averaging double figures in the scoring department for the Gators, and Corey Brewer leads the way with 15.9 ppg to go along with 6.6 rpg and 17 steals. Taurean Green adds 14.4 ppg and a team-high 36 assists, and Al Horford is racking up 12.0 ppg and 7.0 rpg. Lee Humphrey is also scoring 12.0 ppg, and he has made good on 25-of-45 three-point attempts. In the blowout victory over UCF on Saturday, Brewer poured in 25 points on 10-of-14 shooting to go along with five steals. Horford pitched in 17 points and Joakim Noah tallied 13 points. The Gators connected on 52.5 percent of their field goal attempts in the clash, including 6-of-12 from behind the arc, and they also finished with 21 assists against only eight turnovers.

The Friars have been efficient at the offensive end through five outings, as they are scoring 77.2 ppg on 50.5 percent shooting from the field. There is some room for improvement on defense, however, as opponents are netting 73.0 ppg. Three players are averaging double figures in points for Providence, and Randall Hanke leads the way with 16.0 ppg on his staggering 77.3 percent shooting from the floor. Hanke is also pulling down 6.2 rpg, trailing only Geoff McDermott (6.8 rpg) for the team lead. Donnie McGrath adds 13.2 ppg to the mix, but he is shooting a poor 38.2 percent from the field. Rounding out the trio is Weyinmi Efejuku, who contributes 10.4 ppg. In the recent loss to Rhode Island, Hanke scored 14 points to pace his team. The Friars finished with 15 turnovers against 11 assists and were outrebounded by a 42-33 margin.

Providence is not a pushover, but Florida is unlikely to slip up in this game. Expect another balanced effort by the high-energy Gators, who are playing with an abundance of confidence right now.

Predicted Outcome

Florida 80, Providence 65