LSU guard Antonio Hudson does not exactly have fond memories of the last time he visited the O’Connell Center in Gainesville, Fla. in January 2002.
Then second-ranked Florida hammered the Tigers 102-70, and LSU coach John Brady was ejected from the game.
That also was the day Hudson got introduced to the Florida student section, more affectionately known as “The Rowdy Reptiles.”
During pre-game warmups, Hudson missed a shot and the ball bounced in the direction of the Florida students. Hudson decided it was best to not get the ball.
“I think that’s the toughest place I’ve played in as far as student sections go,” Hudson said. “I just left it over there. That’s just how bad they will be on you, man.”
Hudson and the rest of the Tigers (16-4, 6-3 Southeastern Conference) will have their hands full with the Rowdy Reptiles on Saturday at 2 p.m. when they play at No. 20 Florida (14-6, 5-4) and look to extend their four-game winning streak.
Only three players on the 2004 roster — Hudson, Xavier Whipple and Charlie Thompson — have visited the O’Connell Center before and know the difficulty of playing there.
Hudson said it is tough playing on the road anywhere in the league, but it is especially tough at Florida because of how close the fans are to the action.
“I remember it being a hostile environment,” Hudson said. “Their fans are on you the whole game. They have a nice gym, but the fans are right on top of you. Every move you make and anything you do, their fans are right there.”
Whipple said playing in the O’Connell Center is like playing in a high school gym regarding how close the fans are.
“The crowd is right there on you,” Whipple said. “They’re right on the court. You have to tune them out because you have people in your ear.”
According to guard Darrel Mitchell, tuning out the crowd and not getting intimidated by the crowd will be crucial for the Tigers on Saturday.
“You just have to go in there and cut the fans out,” said Mitchell, who is averaging 18 points in LSU’s last two games. “As soon as you walk in there, the fans are going to be on you. Guys said when they first went there, they didn’t think it would be as hostile as it was. We have to go in there and play tough defense and score baskets and keep it as quiet as possible.”
Adjusting to the environment is crucial, but the Tigers also have to deal with coach Billy Donovan’s Gators, who were ranked No. 1 in the nation earlier this season. The Gators lead the SEC in scoring at 79.5 points per game, field goal percentage (48 percent) and 3-point percentage (38 percent).
“Florida is extremely explosive on offense, and what we can’t do is let them get easy baskets and let them set up to shoot open 3-pointers against us,” Brady said. “That’s what they can do. They’re really a dangerous, explosive team. Early in the game, we’re going to have to concentrate defensively in guarding certain players and not let them score early on.”
Those certain players include guard Anthony Roberson, who is the Gators’ leading scorer at 17.3 points per game, swing man Matt Walsh (14.7 points) and forward David Lee (14.2 points).
“Those guys are extremely gifted offensively,” Brady said. “David Lee is one of the better forwards in the league. They’re all averaging between 14 and 17 points per game. Those are going to be key matchups for us in stopping them.”
Brady said the Tigers are going to have to mirror the performances of Mississippi State and Kentucky, who beat Florida at the “O-Dome” earlier this season.
“If we can take the crowd out of it, we might have a chance to beat them down there,” Brady said. “It’s one of the most difficult places to play in the league because the fans are right on top of you. They’ll be sitting three feet behind us.”