By Stephen F. Holder, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, November 6, 2012

TAMPA — Bucs safety Ahmad Black was cited by Tampa police last week for possession of a small amount of marijuana, according to a police report.

Black was charged with possession of cannabis, less than 20 grams, according to court records. The charge is a first-degree misdemeanor.

Black, 23, was not arrested but given a notice to appear for the alleged offense, which occurred Oct. 30. An arraignment is scheduled Dec. 3. Black could face penalties ranging from a fine to a suspension under the NFL's personal conduct policy.

The incident, according to the police report, occurred at 1:56 a.m. on Hillsborough Avenue in Tampa. An officer said he observed Black's 2010 Land Rover weaving and initiated a traffic stop. Police say Black said he had a mechanical issue. The officer wrote that he smelled a strong odor of marijuana coming from inside.

Black, according to police, said he smoked marijuana earlier in the evening. Police said he also told them he had a small amount of marijuana in the car. Police searched the vehicle, in which Black had a female passenger, and found a small marijuana cigarette in the driver's door handle, according to officers.

The Bucs released a statement Tuesday: "We are aware of the situation, have been in communication with the league office, and are handling the matter internally."

Drafted in the fifth round in 2011 out of the University of Florida, Black has appeared in each of the eight games this season, making his second interception in Sunday's win against the Raiders.

MOVES: The Bucs promoted cornerback LeQuan Lewis to the 53-man roster from the practice squad and released cornerback Brandon McDonald, who played in eight games. Lewis appeared in one game for the Bucs and three with the Cowboys. Tight end LaMark Brown was signed to the practice squad.

Rod Gipson, Times Correspondent
Tuesday, November 6, 2012

CARROLLWOOD — If last Friday was district showdown night, tonight could be called, "let's wrap up the season so we can start the playoffs."

Only two North of Tampa-area teams in action tonight are headed to the postseason, while the rest are wrapping up their 2012 campaigns.

Gaither (7-2), crowned the Class 7A, District 7 champions after a wild 35-32 win against Tampa Bay Tech last week, wraps up its regular season at Riverview tonight before opening the playoffs at home next week. Playoff-bound Wharton (7-2) is at home tonight against Spoto.

Carrollwood Day School, which earned its first-ever playoff berth, is off tonight and opens the postseason at home next Friday.

Leto (0-10), Freedom (3-7) and Cambridge Christian (6-4) all ended their seasons last week.

That leaves just a handful of area squads playing tonight, and only a few at home.

Berkeley Prep, which opened the season with six straight wins before losing three straight games to fall out of the playoff picture, wraps up a disappointing season tonight in Arcadia. Meanwhile, Chamberlain hosts Hillsborough, Alonso and Sickles square off in a rivalry game, Wharton hosts Spoto and Steinbrenner travels to Middleton.

All kickoffs are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. unless noted.

Alonso (5-4) at Sickles (6-3)

Last week: Alonso lost to Wharton 37-20; Sickles defeated Leto 51-6.

Why you should go: The Florida High School Athletic Association did not rule on the issue with Jefferson's ineligible player before Monday, so Sickles did not get an extra district win and a shot at a three-team tiebreaker with Hillsborough and Armwood. Still, the Gryphons will look to go out strong against neighborhood rival Alonso, which missed out on its own postseason berth after losing last week.

Hillsborough (7-1) at Chamberlain (4-5)

Last week: Chamberlain lost to Steinbrenner 35-28; Hillsborough was off.

Why you should go: To watch the latest edition of an old-Tampa rivalry game. Before the expansion of Hillsborough County high schools in the late 1980s and into the 1990s, Chamberlain-Hillsborough was one of THE games on the schedule. The Terriers are headed to the postseason; the Chiefs, who came close, are not.

Gaither (7-2) at Riverview (2-7)

Last week: Gaither defeated Tampa Bay Tech 35-32; Riverview lost to Durant 57-27.

Why you should go: To see Gaither QB Alex McGough. In winning the Class 7A-7 district crown last week, McGough passed for 295 yards and five touchdowns. The Cowboys, district champs for the first time since 2007, are in the playoffs in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 2007-08.

Steinbrenner (4-5) at Middleton (2-7)

Last week: Steinbrenner defeated Chamberlain 35-28; Middleton lost to Robinson 42-21.

Why you should go: The Middleton band, with all of 18 members, sounds tremendous, like it has twice as many members.

Spoto (3-6) at Wharton (7-2)

Last week: Spoto lost to Lakewood 34-17; Wharton defeated Alonso 37-20.

Why you should go: To see a talented Wharton team that is headed to the playoffs. Leading the Wildcats into the playoffs are QB Chase Litton and RB Jeff Kiel on offense and LB Rocky Enos and DB Vernon Hargreaves III on defense.

Berkeley Prep (6-3) at DeSoto County (4-5), 7 p.m.

Last week: Berkeley Prep lost to Tampa Catholic 33-7; DeSoto County lost to Hardee 21-13.

Why you should go: I hear Arcadia is lovely this time of the year.

By Bob Ferrante, Times Correspondent
Tuesday, November 6, 2012

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TALLAHASSEE — Michael Snaer's decision was tougher than he had thought. He had spent three seasons at Florida State. He was part of an influx of players that changed the culture and elevated the program nationally.

Snaer had made buzzer-beating 3-pointers. He had helped FSU to upsets of Duke, North Carolina and Notre Dame (including two wins apiece over the Blue Devils and Tar Heels last season). He had guided FSU to a stunning Sweet 16 berth in 2011.

He sat on the basketball rim in Atlanta just eight months ago, smiling for the team photo just minutes after the Seminoles won the program's first ACC tournament title.

And for most college players, that would have been enough. Time to move on to the NBA. But after FSU's season ended in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, Snaer sat down with his family, FSU coach Leonard Hamilton and his adviser.

"At first glance it seemed like, 'Yeah, you should go,' " Snaer said. "It seemed like the right choice. Why not? It's that time."

But then there were the reasons to stay.

"Then when you come back and look at it, it was like, 'You can come back and do so many great things next year,' " Snaer said. "Plus I love Florida State. You would think you would be crazy to pass up that golden opportunity just to come back to school, but it's a place I love. I love the place."

So Snaer came back to Tallahassee, quietly letting the NBA draft's early entry deadline pass in the spring. There was no news conference, no news release.

But the ACC coaches knew. They knew that they will have to deal with a player who is full of confidence, unselfish on defense and is perhaps the best clutch shooter in college basketball.

"I love Snaer," Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski said. "He's just a damn good player."

Snaer averaged 14 points and 3.8 rebounds last season, two numbers that don't reflect the impact he has on his team or his ability to help FSU win games.

His ability to shoot the 3-pointer — Snaer had a team-best 67 3-pointers last season — begins to tell the story. While sometimes inconsistent from beyond the arc early in games, Snaer finds his rhythm in the second half.

He hit the winning 3-pointer as time expired at then-No. 4 Duke, giving FSU a 76-73 victory and ending the Blue Devils' 45-game home winning streak in January. A few weeks later, with FSU trailing in the closing moments at home against Virginia Tech, Snaer made a key 3-pointer to help FSU hold on.

Now Snaer is back for his senior season, and he has embraced more of the leadership role after FSU's roster turned over with the graduation of six seniors (and the influx of six newcomers).

He says being a leader just feels right, and there is clearly a desire to continue what he has helped the program achieve and to push for more.

"I think the program has come a long way," Snaer said. "I think we're at a point right now where we can just keep building. This is where we start making our tradition right now after winning the ACC championship. Now you add on to the tradition. Maybe win another one, maybe win a national championship."

The aspect of Snaer's performance that isn't shown in the stats is that he spends so much energy on the defensive end, often guarding the opponent's top player. Snaer's value isn't always illustrated in points; it's reflected in the eyes of frustrated shooting guards.

One of the top prospects in the country coming out of Rancho Verde High in Moreno Valley, Calif., Snaer was a McDonald's All-American who bypassed offers to play at nearby UCLA and powerhouses such as Missouri, Kansas and Marquette.

Snaer bought into Hamilton's pitch of building a program in Tallahassee. And Snaer has devoted all of his energy to that from the start.

"His attitude has not changed since the day he arrived here as a freshman," Hamilton said. "He's extremely competitive. He loves the game of basketball. He practices just as hard when he is in the gym by himself working with his individual skills as he does when he is in a 5-on-5 situation.

"Unfortunately sometimes that's what's good about him and sometimes it can be something he has to adjust to. He is really a guy that is somewhat of a perfectionist."

And maybe that is why Snaer is back, too. He has returned to earn his degree, improve his basketball skills and help the Seminoles try to defend their conference championship.

While FSU may lack experienced depth, the Seminoles return Snaer, sharp-shooting guard Ian Miller, athletic forward Okaro White, a former Clearwater High standout, and energetic forward Terrance Shannon. There are concerns, especially at point guard — where Miller may run the offense in the near term while FSU's newcomers learn. And FSU has three 7-footers, but none has played a minute of Division I basketball.

Snaer sees plenty of potential, enjoying the progress that has already been made.

"I really, really think that if we start off on the right foot and win some games early, we'll put ourselves in a great position coming into ACC play," Snaer said. "I really feel like with every day that goes by, with every practice I feel more and more confident in the guys that I have around me, feel more confident that we can go out there and get the job done against whoever. I hope that we can do that. I've been thinking about it every single day."

By Bob Ferrante, Times Correspondent
Tuesday, November 6, 2012

FSU men's basketball Coach: Leonard Hamilton (179-127, 11th season at FSU) Last season: 25-10, 12-4 (third in the regular season; won ACC tournament)

Roster

No. Player Ht, wt. Cl. Pos.

 1 Devon Bookert 6-3, 180 Fr. G

 2 Terrance Shannon 6-8, 240 RJr. F

 5 Montay Brandon 6-7, 215 Fr. G

10 Okaro White 6-8, 205 Jr. F

11 Kiel Turpin 7-0, 240 RJr. C

14 Robert Gilchrist 6-9, 220 Jr. F

15 Boris Bojanovsky 7-3, 240 Fr. C

20 Rafael Portuondo 5-11, 165 Sr. G

No. Player Ht, wt. Cl. Pos.

21 Michael Snaer 6-5, 200 Sr. G

25 Aaron Thomas 6-5, 195 Fr. G

30 Ian Miller 6-3, 185 Jr. G

31 Terry Whisnant II 6-3, 185 So. G

33 Joey Moreau 6-2, 180 Sr. G

35 Joell Hopkins 6-6,205 So. F

50 Michael Ojo 7-1, 290 Fr. C

By Bob Ferrante, Times Correspondent
Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Schedule

Friday South Alabama, 7

Monday Buffalo, 7

Nov. 16 BYU, 7/9:20 (at Brooklyn, N.Y.)

Nov. 17 Notre Dame or Saint Joseph's, 7/9:20 (at Brooklyn, N.Y.)

Nov. 21 North Florida, 7

Nov. 27 Minnesota, 7:15

Dec. 2 Mercer, 2

Dec. 5 Florida, 7

Dec. 9 Maine, 4

Dec. 17 Louisiana Monroe, 7

Dec. 22 at Charlotte, 2

Dec. 29 Tulsa (at Sunrise), 2

Jan. 2 at Auburn, 8

Jan. 5 at Clemson, 4

Jan. 9 at Maryland, 8

Jan. 12 North Carolina, 2

Jan. 19 at Virginia, 4

Jan. 24 Clemson, 8

Jan. 27 at Miami, 6

Jan. 30 Maryland, 8

Feb. 2 Duke, 2

Feb. 5 at Georgia Tech, 9

Feb. 9 at Wake Forest, noon

Feb. 13 Miami, 7

Feb. 16 Boston College, noon

Feb. 19 at N.C. State, 7

Feb. 24 at Virginia Tech, 6

Feb. 26 Wake Forest, 9

March 3 at North Carolina, 2

March 7 Virginia, 7

March 9 N.C. State, 2

March 14-17 ACC tournament Greensboro, N.C.

By Bob Ferrante, Times Correspondent
Tuesday, November 6, 2012

FSU women's basketball

Coach: Sue Semrau (272-191, 16th season at FSU)

Last season: 14-17, 6-10 (eighth in ACC)

Notable: FSU struggled last season, failing to reach the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2004. But the Seminoles return four starters and should have more depth in 2012-13.

Senior Alexa Deluzio is versatile, a guard who can shoot the 3-pointer, drive to the basket and defend. She averaged 13.2 points and 3.9 rebounds and shot 83 percent from the free-throw line in 2011-12. Junior F Natasha Howard (12.2 points, 9.1 rebounds) led the ACC with 12 double doubles last season, and more is expected from the former McDonald's All-American.

Semrau will likely opt for a three-forward starting lineup, with Howard, Chasity Clayton (8.9 points, 5.7 rebounds) and Chelsea Davis (9.2 points, 4.0 rebounds).

Morgan Toles, a transfer from Auburn, takes over at point guard. The senior led the SEC in 2010-11 with 5.1 assists per game. FSU also brought in former Hillsborough Community College standout Yashira Delgado, who led junior college basketball last season with 10.8 assists per game.

F Cierra Bravard (14.2 points, 6.4 rebounds) has graduated. G Olivia Bresnahan is transferring, and walk-on Emma Loucks (Clearwater High) has opted not to play basketball at FSU.

Roster

No. Player Ht. Cl. Pos.

00 Chasity Clayton 6-0 Sr. F

 1Morgan Toles 5-9 Sr. G

 3Alexa Deluzio 5-11 Sr. G

 5Yashira Delgado 5-2 Jr. G

10 Leonor Rodriguez 5-11 Sr. G

12 Jakelle King-Gilchrist 5-9 Fr. G

20 Kristi Mokube 6-2 So. F

31 Ebony Wells 6-2 Fr. F

32 Lauren Coleman 6-0 So. F

33 Natasha Howard 6-3 Jr. F

34 Chelsea Davis 6-2 Sr. F

-- Morgan Jones* 6-2 So. G

* Sitting out as a transfer

Schedule

Sunday Samford, 2

Nov. 15 Florida, 7

Nov. 18 Stetson, 2

Nov. 23 Eastern Kentucky, 2;30 at San Juan, Puerto Rico

Nov. 24 Vanderbilt , 5 at San Juan, Puerto Rico

Nov. 28 Iowa, 7

Dec. 2 at Charlotte, 2

Dec. 8 at Nebraska, 3:05

Dec. 15 Grambling State, 7

Dec. 19 Mercer, 7

Dec. 22 at UNC Greensboro, noon

Dec. 30 Boston College, 2

Jan. 3 at Georgia Tech, 7

Jan. 6 at Maryland, 1:30

Jan. 10 Wake Forest, 7

Jan. 13 Miami, 3

Jan. 17 at Boston College, 7

Jan. 20 at N.C. State, 3

Jan. 25 Georgia Tech, 7

Jan. 27 Virginia Tech, 2

Jan. 31 at North Carolina, 7.

Feb. 3 Clemson, 2

Feb. 10 at Miami, 2:05

Feb. 14 N.C. State, 7

Feb. 17 North Carolina, 1

Feb. 22 at Duke, 6:30

Feb. 24 at Virginia Tech, 1

Feb. 28 Maryland, 7

March 3 at Virginia, 1

March 7-10 ACC tournament, at Greensboro, N.C.

By Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, November 6, 2012

TAMPA

A month ago, when USF football played at Temple, the Bulls had 12 seniors in their starting lineup. On Saturday, when the Bulls ended a six-game losing streak with a win against Connecticut, the Bulls started just five seniors. The season-ending ankle injury suffered by QB B.J. Daniels lowers that number by another senior.

Skip Holtz's youth movement has had more to do with injuries to key Bulls veterans, but it gives USF a head start on next season, lessening the hit it will take from losing a deep senior class. At many positions, young players — even true freshmen — have played without a significant dropoff.

When freshman DE Eric Lee became a starter two games ago, he had one career tackle. He had six in his first start then added his first sack Saturday. When freshman Tashon Whitehurst stepped in at weakside linebacker Saturday, he had one career tackle, he but totaled eight in Saturday's win, including a key fourth-quarter fumble recovery. Sophomore Reshard Cliett has 17 tackles in the past two games since he became a starting linebacker.

The same can be said on offense, where redshirt freshmen Thor Jozwiak and Brynjar Gudmundsson have stepped in as starting guards and true freshman Sean Price has become a top target at tight end, with nine catches for 114 yards and a touchdown in the past three games. Junior Marcus Shaw has stepped in for Lindsey Lamar at running back, and expect freshman WR D'Vario Montgomery to play a larger role in the final three games.

There are still glaring holes to be filled for 2013. Redshirt freshman Matt Floyd will likely get an early crack at taking over for Daniels, and the Bulls will have to replace two senior cornerbacks in Kayvon Webster and George Baker, with few experienced corners behind them. The kicking game will have major turnover, with a reliable pair in K Maikon Bonani and P Justin Brockhaus-Kann both seniors.

The biggest challenge is for USF to salvage more wins from its final three games, but in shifting to a younger lineup, the Bulls are picking up experience that will be invaluable next fall.

MORE YOUTH: USF men's basketball team scored eight points in the first eight minutes of Monday's exhibition win against Division II Eckerd, making it all the more impressive when freshman G JaVontae Hawkins later fired off a personal 8-0 run in a span of 74 seconds, taking USF from a 24-22 lead to a 32-22 cushion just before halftime.

Hawkins, a 6-foot-5 freshman from Flint, Mich., hit a 3-pointer, then a 2, then a three-point play on consecutive possessions. He not only finished with 13 points, he did it on 5-for-6 shooting in 17 minutes.

"He's got that quick first step, has a nice shot when he gets his feet set. He's going to be a nice weapon to bring into the game, like (senior Jawanza) Poland does," coach Stan Heath said. "Bringing those two guys in the game, I don't think we miss a beat, and sometimes we might get better. Both those guys are very electric players."

USF has a versatile newcomer in G Martino Brock, who had nine assists, six points and six rebounds in 28 minutes against Eckerd. Brock showed his speed in transition, and while he'll start at shooting guard, he'll also be the primary backup to Anthony Collins at point guard.

By Gary Shelton, Times Sports Columnist
Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Once again, he is the sharpest guy in the room. Maybe in the area code.

Before breakfast, Mark Dominik can turn a golf cart into a time-travel machine. By lunchtime, he can develop a vaccine that will cure hair loss. By dinner, he can figure out how to transform empty Gatorade bottles into a cheap fuel alternative.

Lo and behold, Dominik is a genius reborn.

When you consider that it was only a few months ago that critics wondered if Dominik could figure out a light switch, that's a fairly impressive amount of learning.

Dominik, the general manager of the Bucs, is suddenly the wise man on the mountain again. He is smart enough not only to know a good player when he sees one, he can also give you the square root of his bench press. He is so bright that Raymond James is no longer in need of stadium lights.

In other words, nothing restores wisdom quite like winning, and bolsters a man's IQ points like those on a scoreboard. This is the NFL, after all, and the way it plays Jeopardy is that every question can be answered correctly by saying, "We just scored another touchdown.''

In a season that has restored the franchise's hope, and Josh Freeman's future, and Gerald McCoy's reputation, and Mike Williams' athleticism, and Mason Foster's potential, add this to the list of items reclaimed: Once again, Dominik looks like a good idea, and once again, he's waiting to have another one.

Amazing how it works, isn't it? In 2010, when the Bucs were winning, Dominik looked cerebral after he took a chance on Williams in the fourth round and picked up LeGarrette Blount on waivers.

In the NFL, however, nothing looks smarter than success, and nothing looks dumber than defeat. Last year, when the Bucs were stumbling around in the dark, a great deal of the blame was pointed toward Dominik.

At the time, Freeman didn't look like a correct answer. Neither did McCoy or Foster. When Brian Price lacked desire, when Kellen Winslow turned peculiar, when Albert Haynesworth seemed disinterested, when Tanard Jackson chased another receiver across another goal line, those all reflected on the guy in charge.

Say this for Dominik. He seems to have learned on the job. This year, he is the answer man again.

Think of it like this: How do you judge any general manager? By the coach he hires. By the players he drafts. By the free agents he signs. By the trades he makes.

Take the coaching search, for instance. The more Dominik heard about Greg Schiano's program, the more he liked. Granted, there were detractors out there, some who thought college was the last place an NFL team should look for answers. But Dominik was soon convinced this was the guy for the Bucs. In turn, Schiano has restored some careers that appeared to be on the verge of getting lost, which makes everyone look smart.

Take free agency, where Dominik targeted players such as Vincent Jackson and Carl Nicks because of how they could help Freeman in a make-or-break season. For the Bucs, it was a rare investment. So far, it looks like a bargain.

In the draft, Dominik moved backward to get safety Mark Barron, then used the surplus to move back up and draft running back Doug Martin and linebacker Lavonte David in what now looks like the team's best draft since Rich McKay used a similar trade-back-then-up plan to acquire Warren Sapp and Derrick Brooks.

In the NFL, that's how a guy gets smart again. He picks the right coach. He picks the right players. Freeman returns to form, and McCoy regains his health, and Foster matures, and Williams blossoms again, and just like that, the brain cells grow.

Schiano changes the culture, and the future looks right again, and suddenly, the guys from Mensa are sending you invitations. You get rid of Aqib Talib, which everyone wanted, and you get a fourth-round draft pick, which no one expected, and suddenly, you are Mark the Mastermind.

This is the NFL, of course, and for a general manager, there are new report cards every week. Ask Kansas City's Scott Pioli, who used to be sharp. Ask San Diego's A.J. Smith, or Buffalo's Buddy Nix, or Jacksonville's Gene Smith. Smart lasts only as long as the winning does.

Still, you'd have to say that Dominik has had a pretty good run of it lately. The Bucs, too. They suddenly look young and talented again. The future, too, is bright.

The point is this: In the NFL, never underestimate smart. The league shares revenues, and it has a common draft, and every rule change seems directed toward making sure every team is the same. Usually, the smart guys win, especially if they have the right coach and the right quarterback.

For the time being, Dominik looks as if he has it figured out. His team is young, and improving. He seems to have found his coach, who in turn seems to have salvaged his quarterback.

For now, Dominik is a genius.

Of course, if the guy could invent a way to avoid injuries, he would be Einstein.

Listen to Gary Shelton weekdays from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on 98.7-FM the Fan.

By Stephen F. Holder, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, November 6, 2012

TAMPA — Having been fired by the University of North Carolina and coming away empty in the latest wave of coaching hires, Butch Davis went to an NFL power brokers for advice in plotting his next career move.

During his consultation with Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, Davis — a former Cowboys assistant — wanted to gauge the market for his skill set.

"I hope to get a head-coaching job again, but if I didn't, I was brainstorming with Jerry about whether there would be organizations that would value someone who's got 37 years of coaching experience, somebody who's been a part of Super Bowl teams, national-championship teams and been a head coach," Davis said.

"Jerry said, 'Absolutely. I think it'd be a great idea.' ''

So did Greg Schiano.

Having accepted an offer to coach the Bucs in January, Schiano wanted Davis' expertise on his staff.

"Lo and behold, a couple of weeks later, Greg gets the job here and called," said Davis, who says he did not speak with Schiano before the Bucs hired the coach.

His title is special assistant to the head coach. But, as Davis detailed in a 30-minute interview last week, that can and often does, mean just about anything.

He's enjoying the role, one that allows him to remain around the game, even if not in his preferred capacity.

In the meantime, he's helping a friend; Schiano was a member of Davis' staff at the University of Miami. The role changes frequently, using the spectrum of his talents.

"Initially the main emphasis was Greg hiring the coaching staff, so I was vetting some of the (candidates) and talking about the chemistry, sitting in on interviews," said Davis, who turns 61 on Nov. 17. "Then, for the coaches who had never been in the NFL, I tried to bring them up to speed. Then it was (offseason workouts), minicamps. I feel like every month we turn the calendar there's a different set of challenges."

And they are different challenges than Schiano experienced at Rutgers. Davis also made the daunting jump from college to the pros, leading the Browns from 2001-04.

"The competitive level of the NFL makes it so that you better turn over every stone," Davis said. "Other teams are doing that to try to find ways to win every game. In college, recruiting is, in some respects, put on the backburner. It's got its seasons. Here, every week injuries occur, it's the waiver wire, the practice squad or something else and you're constantly being pulled in those different directions."

And now that the season is in full swing, Davis is putting his defensive talents to use. The one-time Cowboys defensive coordinator has been particularly useful to Bucs coordinator Bill Sheridan, peeking ahead at future opponents.

"He does a great job of analyzing the upcoming quarterbacks we're playing," Sheridan said. "How they move in the pocket, how they scramble, who they like to throw the ball to, what kind of play actions (they use); He does a great job with that. These are all things that he's done in other places and he's sharing them with us."

Davis isn't pulling levers on gameday because he's not technically coaching. And he misses that. But he said he feels a part of something.

He takes pride in watching the development of the young Bucs roster with emerging stars such as Josh Freeman, Doug Martin and Gerald McCoy. And it all feels familiar.

"I look back at those years with the Cowboys," Davis said. "Everybody thinks we walked in and won the Super Bowl. We went 1-15 and then 7-9. But you could see in every practice the willingness and commitment to buy in from Emmitt Smith and Troy Aikman and those guys.

"You can see very, very similar parallels here."

But nothing's like coaching.

"There's a certain element that with me not coaching, you can never satisfy," he said.

Which is why it's no guarantee Davis will occupy an office at One Buc Place for long. In fact, he says that's why he's not coaching here.

"The reason I didn't want to take a coaching position with Greg was the fact that I didn't want to become a part of the staff and, nine months later, an opportunity comes along and now I've got to leave," Davis said. "That's taking away from his momentum. I told him I think I can help more by not coaching and just being the eyes."

Despite being tainted by academic and improper-benefits scandal that led to his firing at North Carolina, Davis clings to the hope provided by a February NCAA report that does not cite him in any wrongdoing.

"There was nothing that came out later in the report that wasn't known in the first 60 days of the investigation in 2010," Davis said. "Nothing was new except for this ongoing academic issue that they've got that's been going on for over 20 years. The thing that probably was detrimental to me getting a job last year was that the NCAA hadn't had its final ruling until February. They did a 256-page report and my name's not in it once."

Davis' resume figures to get him a look. He spoke with great pride about the 104 college players he has coached who played in the NFL and his decades of measurable success.

"I've been a part of national championships and Super Bowls and rebuilding the Cowboys and totally resurrecting the Carolina program," he said. "… Hopefully somebody will recognize that and give me an opportunity."

And if not, there's plenty to do in Tampa.

"Who knows?" he said. "I may be here for 10 years and love every minute of it."

By Antonya English, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, November 6, 2012

GAINESVILLE — Nine games into the season, Florida has won eight, yet the Gators can't seem to escape the criticism of that struggling offense.

From social media to local sports talk radio and media sessions, the prevailing question is: Why isn't the offense better?

No. 7 Florida is ranked No. 102 nationally in total offense (332.8) and No. 114 in passing offense, and the Gators seem to have regressed in the past couple of weeks. In the past two games, Florida has gained 542 yards, scored two touchdowns (23 total points) and is 9-of-29 on third-down conversions.

Coach Will Muschamp said the team remains much as he described it in Week 2 against Texas A&M: an offense that would be a work in progress all season, unlikely to blow out opponents.

"It is what it is," Muschamp said. "We're where we are. We're 8-1, all right? It's easy to go pick at that (the offense), and that's what everybody's decided to do at this point. We're not scoring 60 points a game, so obviously we're all upset. I want to score 60, too, but I want to win first of all. That's really what's important, and that's what we're trying to do."

Quarterback Jeff Driskel said it's not as if the Gators aren't trying to improve. Florida went no-huddle early in Saturday's 14-7 win over Missouri because "we feel like we play better and move the ball better when we have a good tempo."

Driskel acknowledged the offense still needs work.

"We have to start better, and we have to play better throughout the whole game," he said. "The offense has to be more productive, and we'll work on it. … "We're going to have to be more explosive, that's what it comes down to. And being more effective on third down."

Florida will face Louisiana-Lafayette and Jacksonville State before closing out the regular season at intrastate rival Florida State. The Gators may have a good opportunity to work on the passing game this week with Louisiana-Lafayette, which is ranked No. 114 in pass defense (294.6).

"Obviously that's a stat that you look at and say, 'Well, they've given up some stuff,' " offensive coordinator Brent Pease said. " … We should get it going, I guess. Those stats are saying that you can."

With the passing game struggling, opponents have focused on stopping the run. Injuries to the offensive line also haven't helped. Heading into the next two games, Pease said consistency and finally putting everything in play in one game will be critical.

"I think catch the ball," he said as an area of concern. "We had some drops we shouldn't have. There were a lot of good things (vs. Missouri), but when you look at the one thing that was glaring that could have kept us on the field longer was our third-down opportunities. We were in a pretty manageable situation. We have to get back, we've been good one week and not good the next. It's just a matter of putting it all together."

What he won't do, Pease said, is force things just to say the offense has improved. The object is still to win — period.

"Being in my position you kind of get to a point where not everything is going to be perfect through the whole scheme of the game, and you kind of play based off some field position, the timing of the game, the flow of how it's going," he said. "So you're always trying to put the kids in a good situation, and you know sometimes you might think, Well, he gets conservative.

"Well, yeah, but we know our defense is playing well. We know we got Christy (Kyle, UF punter) to get us out of a situation or something, and not make a risky throw where our defense has a short field or something like that. So we're trying to play manageable spots, that's what we want to do."

Antonya English can be reached at english@tampabay.com.

By Tyson Wallerstein, Times Correspondent
Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Tip: Inconsistent weather will certainly keep you on your toes. Anglers looking to fill their livewell full of whitebait might get it one day and not the next. A backup plan with baits including live shrimp, pinfish and cut ladyfish, plus soft-plastic jigs, will often work best.

What's hot: Gulf fishing near-shore for kingfish and mackerel has been unreliable but trout and reds inshore have been excellent at times. Redfish are in good numbers in and around mullet schools at high and low tidal stages. Low tides are best fished with cut ladyfish or tail-trimmed pinfish; put out a spread of baits to effectively cover a large area. You could also bounce a dark colored soft-plastic jig through the area. At higher tides these tactics will work, or chum the fish with live pilchards.

Trout time: More and more, trout are becoming an everyday staple. As the water cools, look for big fish to continue stage up on the many spoil islands throughout the ICW. A soft-plastic jig bounced along the bottom is the most effective way to cover water and find the pockets of trout. Free-lining or cork fishing live pilchards or shrimp also works.

Tyson Wallerstein runs Inshore Fishing Charters in the Clearwater/St. Petersburg area and can be reached at (727) 692-5868 and via email capt.tyson@hotmail.com.

Times staff, wires
Tuesday, November 6, 2012

INDIANAPOLIS — No. 1 Indiana will open its season Friday night without two key freshmen.

On Tuesday, the NCAA suspended 6-foot-8 forward Hanner Mosquera-Perea and 7-foot center Peter Jurkin for the first nine games and will require them to repay a portion of the impermissible benefits they received to a charity of their choice.

Enforcement officials at the governing body found that the players' AAU coach Mark Adams provided them with $9,702 and $6,003 in plane tickets, meals, housing, a laptop computer, a cell phone and clothing. Mosquera-Perea must pay back about $1,590. Jurkin must repay $250 to be reinstated.

GATOR has concusion: Florida junior guard/forward Casey Prather has suffered his second concussion in as many weeks and will not play in Friday night's season opener.

Prather suffered the concussion in practice after he was hit by teammate Patrick Young on Monday as Young came down with a rebound.

"He was totally healed from the first one, so there's no problem as it relates to this necessarily being prolonged," Florida coach Billy Donovan said. "He got an elbow on a rebound and went down."

GAME MOVED: The game between No. 9 Syracuse and No. 20 San Diego State on the flight deck of the decommissioned USS Midway was moved from Friday night to 1 p.m. Sunday because of a threat of rain.

ARKANSAS: Sophomore guard B.J. Young, who led the team with 15.3 points per game last season, was suspended for Friday's season opener against Sam Houston State for a violation of team rules.

GEORGE MASON: Sophomores Erik Copes and Vaughn Gray were suspended for the first three regular-season games because of "student-athlete conduct violations."

MISSISSIPPI ST.: Freshman guard Andre Applewhite will miss the season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus in his left knee.

WASHINGTON: Forward Shawn Kemp Jr. is expected to miss six to eight weeks after tearing the patella tendon in his right knee.

Times staff writer Antonya English contributed to this report.

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

TAMPA — After serving a one-game suspension, Bulls LB Sam Barrington practiced with the second-team defense Tuesday.

Barrington was suspended against UConn for an arrest for driving with a suspended license. Though freshman Tashon Whitehurst led the team in tackles as Barrington's replacement, he'll still have to compete to keep the starting job.

"We'll roll the balls out and let them play," coach Skip Holtz said. "Let's see where Sam is mentally coming back from what he just went through, and let's see where Tashon is. I know Tashon's sore right now, (after) his first complete game."

Holtz added that this has been the sole issue with Barrington, who has already proven himself as a leadership voice.

"Sam's got a responsibility," Holtz said. "He's guilty of being irresponsible. As a senior, yes I expect more. … He is extremely mature. We just have to get some of these things cleaned up — make sure we're taking care of our business off the field."

EXPERIENCE NO FACTOR: Though he has already played against the Bulls' upcoming opponent twice in his career, QB Bobby Eveld won't have a leg up in the battle for USF's starting spot under center.

"I don't think you can say, 'Well, you know, Bobby played down there, so you're going to go ahead and play him,' " Holtz said. "I think it's all going to be predicated here over the next three days."

In 2010, Eveld filled in for an injured B.J. Daniels and led the Bulls to a road victory against the Hurricanes. The next game, he threw three interceptions in a loss to UConn. Last year, Eveld once again replaced Daniels against Miami but couldn't reproduce the magic from the year before as his team fell 6-3.

UF: Pease will wait

GAINESVILLE — Florida offensive coordinator Brent Pease said he has not been contacted by Kentucky about its upcoming vacant head coaching position, and he would not talk with any school about another job until the end of the season.

Kentucky fired coach Joker Phillips this week but is allowing him to coach the final games of the regular season. Pease is a former assistant at Kentucky.

"I think it's a good program," Pease said. "I've been there. They've got great people. They've got a great program and the facilities are good. They're committed to winning. And they have won. They won when we were there, when I was there on staff."

Pease said he's "committed" to the Florida program but would not rule out looking into other jobs if the opportunity arises.

SANDY'S IMPACT: Count Florida senior S Josh Evans among those closely watching what's happening with hurricane victims in New York and New Jersey. The Irvington, N.J., native has family and friends who have been adversely affected in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. "Actually my family is still out of power right now," Evans said Tuesday. "It's going on a second week that they have no power. Things are starting to change now up there. They're starting to get some things worked on."

Antonya English, Times staff writer

FSU: Kicker near mark

TALLAHASSEE — The last time Florida State played, its kicker, Dustin Hopkins, got an ACC record.

Thursday, when the 10th-ranked Seminoles return to action for the first time since Hopkins' three-field goal showing in a 48-7 win over Duke two weeks ago, the senior will be going for two NCAA career marks.

Sitting on 429 career points, Hopkins is 10 shy of tying the Division I-A record for kickers. Former Boise State kicker Kyle Brotzman set it in 2010. Former Miami (Ohio) RB Travis Prentice holds the overall scoring record with 468.

"He'll have the opportunity to break those records, and I'm sure he will," FSU QB EJ Manuel said of Hopkins.

Hopkins has averaged 11.4 points per game this season. He would tie the record with two field goals and four FSU touchdowns at Virginia Tech on Thursday.

Coley Harvey, Orlando Sentinel

Times wires
Tuesday, November 6, 2012

TENNIS

FEDERER OPENS WELL IN CHASE FOR TITLE NO. 7

LONDON — Roger Federer opened his quest for a seventh season-ending tour title, looking like the man to beat again.

The 17-time Grand Slam champion won his record 40th match at the tournament, defeating Janko Tipsarevic 6-3, 6-1 Tuesday in his opening Group B match of the ATP Finals.

Federer lost only eight points on his serve under the roof of the O2 Arena while converting four of his nine break points in the event that features the top eight players in the world.

"Obviously, come in knowing that I've played so well past years, I expect myself also to be at a solid level," said Federer, who also won his seventh Wimbledon title this year and a silver medal at the London Olympics. "I've had a good year. It's true, I feel like I'm striking the ball well after today."

A day after Andy Murray made his return to Britain for the first time since winning the U.S. Open, the crowd got into Tuesday's match, complete with cowbells ringing and constant chanting for Federer.

Also in Group B, David Ferrer beat Juan Martin del Potro 6-3, 3-6, 6-4.

DAVIS CUP: The Czech Republic will rely on Tomas Berdych and Radek Stepanek in the final against Spain, Nov. 16-18 on an indoor hardcourt in Prague.

BASEBALL

Mets outfielder hurt while moving

Mets outfielder Lucas Duda broke his right wrist while moving furniture last month at his apartment in Southern California. The team said he had surgery Monday and is expected to be ready for spring training in February.

ASTROS: David Stearns, 27, was named assistant general manager. He had been Cleveland's director of baseball operations.

RANGERS: Right-hander Yu Darvish won't pitch for Japan in the World Baseball Classic next spring, choosing instead to focus on preparing for his second major-league season.

YANKEES: Two relievers, righty David Herndon and lefty Josh Spence, were claimed off waivers.

OLYMPICS

Wrestler stripped of bronze medal

The IOC stripped Soslan Tigiev, a freestyle wrestler from Uzbekistan, of his Olympic bronze medal for doping. Tigiev tested positive for the banned stimulant methylhexaneamine. Hungary's Gabor Hatos will be upgraded to bronze in the 74-kilogram class.

SOCCER

Two advance in Champions League

Spanish club Malaga, making its UEFA Champions League debut, qualified for the knockout stage after a 1-1 tie at Italy's AC Milan. FC Porto of Portugal also clinched a place in the Round of 16 with a 0-0 tie at Dynamo Kiev. English champion Manchester City rallied from 2-0 down on goals from Yaya Toure and Sergio Aguero to tie visiting Ajax 2-2.

ET CETERA

AUTOS: Brian Vickers, who won the Nationwide championship in 2003, will run in NASCAR's second-tier series full-time next year for Joe Gibbs Racing.

CYCLING: South Africa's David George, a former teammate of Lance Armstrong, admitted using the blood-boosting drug EPO after failing a doping test. George failed an out-of-competition test Aug. 29.

ARENA LEAGUE: The Tampa Bay Storm signed defensive back Chris Smith, who played at Palmetto High, and defensive lineman Tremaine Johnson as free agents.

Times wires

Times wires
Tuesday, November 6, 2012

TOLEDO, Ohio — Toledo waited 11 years to get back into the national rankings. In less than three days, the Rockets likely got knocked out.

Jahwan Edwards scored untouched on a 15-yard run around left end with 1:43 left to propel Ball State to a 34-27 victory over No. 23 Toledo on Tuesday night, ending the Rockets' eight-game winning streak.

Edwards' run capped an 86-yard drive after Ball State's beleaguered defense had stopped the Rockets a yard short on David Fluellen's run on fourth and 2 at the Cardinals 15.

Ball State's Keith Wenning completed 29 of 42 passes for 280 yards and three touchdowns but was intercepted three times.

Fluellen ran for at least 200 yards for the third game this season, carrying 34 times for 200 yards and a touchdown.

Toledo jumped into the Associated Press Top 25 this week for the first time since 2001.

Edwards finished with 105 yards on 16 carries.

Ball State, which had already qualified for a bowl, might have clinched an even better postseason trip. Toledo fell out of a possible first-place tie with Northern Illinois in the MAC's West Division.

SNYDER SECRETIVE: Kansas State coach Bill Snyder said he expects that Heisman Trophy frontrunner Collin Klein will be able to start the third-ranked Wildcats' game at TCU this weekend, but he once again refused — politely, of course — to discuss anything specific to his star quarterback's injury.

The nature of it, the severity of it, the process by which Klein would be cleared to play — even the timetable involved in making that decision, which must happen soon.

"Let's cut to the chase," Snyder said. "Would I expect him to play? I certainly hope that's the case, and I would expect that to take place."

Klein was hurt in the third quarter of last Saturday's 44-30 victory over Oklahoma State.

BOWL TO NEW ORLEANS: New Orleans will be the site of the new marquee bowl game between the Southeastern Conference and Big 12, the Associated Press reported. The game will still be called the Sugar Bowl and will be played in the Superdome. Several cities were vying to host the game, at one point including Tampa.

CAL: Quarterback Allan Bridgford could start against Oregon this week with starter Zach Maynard hampered by an injured left knee. Bridgford took most of the practice snaps with the first team, according to coach Jeff Tedford, while Maynard watched with a heavy brace on his left leg. Tedford had not ruled Maynard out as of yet.

DAVIDSON: Head coach Tripp Merritt was fired after a season in which the Wildcats were 1-8 overall and 1-5 in the Pioneer Football League. Associate head coach Brett Hayford will serve as interim head coach until further notice.

Georgia TECH: Coach Paul Johnson said the team will use the same approach at quarterback this weekend at North Carolina that helped it win a surprisingly easy game last week at Maryland. Tevin Washington started, played two series then watched two series from the sideline while Vad Lee ran Johnson's spread option offense.

MICHIGAN: The school added Arkansas, Brigham Young and Hawaii to its future schedules. Notre Dame opted out of scheduled 2015-17 games last month ahead of a previously scheduled break in the rivalry in 2018-19.

SOCCER: The Big East men's championship has been moved from New Jersey to PPL Park outside Philadelphia. The tournament runs Friday-Sunday. It was moved from Red Bull Arena in Harrison, N.J., where it had been held the previous two years. The decision was made because of lingering issues from the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.

Times wires
Tuesday, November 6, 2012

NEW YORK — Negotiations between the NHL and the locked-out players' association lasted deep into Tuesday night, and went well enough that the sides agreed to hold more talks today.

Both sides kept details close to the vest after meeting for more than seven hours. That also could be a sign that the second round of talks in four days went well.

The marathon session — on Day 52 of the lockout — went until about 10:15 p.m. The location in New York was undisclosed, at request of the NHL, to avoid potential distractions.

"With meetings scheduled to resume (today), the league will not characterize the substance or detail of the discussions until their conclusion," NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said in a statement.

Daly and union special counsel Steve Fehr were there, as they were for a long session by themselves Saturday. Tuesday they were joined by commissioner Gary Bettman, union executive director Donald Fehr, a handful of team owners and 13 players, including Penguins captain Sidney Crosby, who has been an active participant in the process.

"We're hopeful that we'll start bargaining and we'll continue bargaining until we find a way to make a deal," Donald Fehr said Tuesday before the talks. "Sometimes that goes in rather long sessions with short breaks and sometimes you take a few hours or half a day or a day to work on things before you come back together. I don't know which it will be."

Fehr's brother, Steve, met Daly on Saturday in secret. Neither provided many details, but both agreed the meeting was productive. Until then there had been no negotiations since Oct. 18.

Time is becoming a bigger factor every day. The lockout, which started Sept. 16 after the collective bargaining agreement expired, has already cost 327 regular-season games — including the New Year's Day outdoor Winter Classic in Michigan. The NHL has said a full 82-game season won't be played.

In October, the union responded to an NHL offer with three of its own, but all of those were quickly dismissed by the league. Since then the league has moved toward the players' side regarding the "make-whole" provision, which involves the payment of player contracts that are already in effect and whose share of the economic pie that money will come from.

Other core economic issues — mainly the split of hockey-related revenue — along with contract lengths, arbitration and free agency will also need to be agreed upon before a deal can be reached.

Times wires
Tuesday, November 6, 2012

CHICAGO — Luol Deng scored 15 of his 23 in the second half to lead the Bulls to a 99-93 win over Orlando on Tuesday night, the Magic's first loss of the season.

Deng and Nate Robinson keyed a 15-2 second-half burst when Chicago turned a five-point deficit into an eight-point lead. Robinson hit two straight jumpers to put Chicago ahead 74-70 early in the fourth, the Bulls' first lead since midway through the third.

Former Gator Joakim Noah had 20 points, nine rebounds and five blocks for Chicago, and Robinson added 11 points and six assists off the bench. Robinson's layup with 2:35 to play put Chicago up 91-81, its biggest lead of the game.

Arron Afflalo led the Magic with 28 points, 19 in the second half. E'Twaun Moore added a career-high 17 points.

Glen Davis, who entered the game fourth in the NBA with 25.5 points per game, scored 16 but shot just 7-of-22 from the floor and fouled out.

Nicola Vucevic had 16 points and 10 rebounds for the Magic, which had won three of its past four in Chicago entering the game.

Orlando had started 2-0, surprising many around the league after trading star center Dwight Howard to the Lakers over the summer.

GAME HIGHLIGHTS: Russell Westbrook shrugged off a sore shoulder to score 19, and the host Thunder cruised past the Raptors 108-88.

AROUND THE LEAGUE: Hornets coach Monty Williams was fined $25,000 by the NBA for public comments criticizing the league's concussion policy. Williams made the comments Saturday night in Chicago before the Hornets faced the Bulls with first overall draft pick Anthony Davis sidelined by a mild concussion. … Bobcats starting guard Gerald Henderson could miss about 2-4 weeks with a sprained left foot. … Mavericks forward Shawn Marion will miss at least three games with a sprained left knee ligament.

Bulls 99, Magic 93

ORLANDO (93): Jones 1-2 0-0 2, Davis 7-22 2-5 16, Vucevic 5-13 6-7 16, Moore 7-13 0-0 17, Afflalo 10-17 5-5 28, Redick 4-11 0-0 10, McRoberts 0-0 0-0 0, Smith 1-5 0-0 2, Ayon 0-1 0-0 0, Nicholson 1-2 0-0 2. Totals 36-86 13-17 93.

CHICAGO (99): Deng 9-16 5-6 23, Boozer 6-18 0-0 12, Noah 7-13 6-8 20, Hinrich 3-5 0-2 8, Hamilton 3-8 1-1 7, Belinelli 1-1 0-0 2, Gibson 5-9 2-3 12, Robinson 5-8 1-2 11, Mohammed 0-3 0-0 0, Butler 1-3 2-2 4. Totals 40-84 17-24 99.

Orlando 24 24 22 23— 93

Chicago 23 22 23 31— 99

3-Point Goals—Orlando 8-19 (Moore 3-4, Afflalo 3-7, Redick 2-6, Smith 0-1, Davis 0-1), Chicago 2-6 (Hinrich 2-2, Noah 0-1, Robinson 0-1, Deng 0-2). Fouled Out—Davis. Rebounds—Orlando 50 (Vucevic, Davis 10), Chicago 55 (Noah 9). Assists—Orlando 23 (Redick 7), Chicago 27 (Robinson 6). Total Fouls—Orlando 22, Chicago 12. Technicals—Orlando defensive three second. A—21,216 (20,917).

Thunder 108, Raptors 88

TORONTO (88): Fields 1-6 1-2 3, Bargnani 5-14 3-3 16, Valanciunas 6-8 6-6 18, Lowry 1-4 0-0 2, DeRozan 2-10 4-4 8, Anderson 1-6 1-2 3, McGuire 3-4 0-0 6, Calderon 2-7 3-3 8, Johnson 1-4 0-0 2, Davis 2-4 2-3 6, Lucas 1-9 0-0 3, Ross 4-7 0-0 10, Gray 1-1 1-2 3. Totals 30-84 21-25 88.

OKLAHOMA CITY (108): Durant 4-11 6-6 15, Ibaka 8-9 1-1 17, Perkins 2-3 0-0 4, Westbrook 5-12 7-8 19, Sefolosha 4-6 0-0 11, Thabeet 2-2 6-6 10, Martin 4-9 6-7 15, Maynor 3-9 3-4 9, Collison 1-3 0-2 2, Jones 0-3 0-0 0, Jackson 1-4 0-0 3, Lamb 1-3 0-0 3, Liggins 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 35-74 29-34 108.

Toronto 17 21 25 25— 88

Oklahoma City 30 27 28 23— 108

3-Point Goals—Toronto 7-30 (Bargnani 3-6, Ross 2-3, Calderon 1-4, Lucas 1-6, Fields 0-2, DeRozan 0-2, Lowry 0-2, Anderson 0-5), Oklahoma City 9-25 (Sefolosha 3-5, Westbrook 2-4, Jackson 1-2, Lamb 1-3, Martin 1-4, Durant 1-4, Maynor 0-3). Fouled Out—Thabeet. Rebounds—Toronto 46 (Davis 9), Oklahoma City 56 (Perkins 9). Assists—Toronto 16 (Lucas, Lowry 4), Oklahoma City 24 (Westbrook 8). Total Fouls—Toronto 24, Oklahoma City 22. Technicals—Lowry, Westbrook, Oklahoma City defensive three second. A—18,203 (18,203).

Nuggets 109, Pistons 97

DETROIT (97): Prince 2-8 0-0 4, Maxiell 4-4 1-2 9, Monroe 10-20 7-7 27, Knight 1-6 0-0 2, Stuckey 5-17 5-7 17, Singler 3-5 3-4 9, Jerebko 4-8 2-2 11, Bynum 1-5 3-3 5, Drummond 3-3 0-0 7, English 2-2 0-0 6, Villanueva 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 35-78 21-25 97.

DENVER (109): Gallinari 3-11 0-0 8, Faried 7-10 1-3 15, Koufos 7-13 0-0 14, Lawson 3-8 8-10 15, Iguodala 6-15 2-2 17, A.Miller 2-5 4-5 8, Chandler 2-8 0-0 5, Brewer 4-11 0-0 11, McGee 7-11 2-2 16. Totals 41-92 17-22 109.

Detroit 21 30 25 21— 97

Denver 24 34 27 24— 109

3-Point Goals—Detroit 6-12 (English 2-2, Stuckey 2-6, Drummond 1-1, Jerebko 1-2, Knight 0-1), Denver 10-30 (Iguodala 3-6, Brewer 3-7, Gallinari 2-8, Chandler 1-3, Lawson 1-4, A.Miller 0-2). Fouled Out—None. Rebounds—Detroit 45 (Monroe 10), Denver 58 (Iguodala 10). Assists—Detroit 26 (Knight 9), Denver 23 (Lawson 9). Total Fouls—Detroit 19, Denver 21. Technicals—Denver defensive three second. A—19,155 (19,155).

By Brandon Wright, Times Correspondent
Wednesday, November 7, 2012

For Durant, it's a chance to finish the regular season unbeaten for the first time in school history.

For Newsome, it's a chance to knock off a neighborhood rival and gear up for the playoffs.

For Bloomingdale, it's a chance to up its record to .500 — a rare feat for the Bulls. East Bay and Plant City also hope to conclude their seasons with respectable 5-5 marks.

And for Seffner Christian, it's a chance to win an actual playoff game.

In the last week of the regular season, every football player in east Hillsborough has an opportunity — to save face, to build momentum for next season, or for most seniors, suit up one last time before their football careers end.

Every team takes a certain emotion into tonight's games, but for the two east Hillsborough playoff teams taking the field, the biggest feeling may be caution. Neither Durant nor Newsome wants to suffer a critical injury, but each wants to tune up for next week's critical games. Durant will play host to Tampa Bay Tech while Newsome travels to Gaither.

Seffner Christian, which plays in the Sunshine State Athletic Conference, actually travels to Leesburg First Academy in a conference playoff game.

East Hillsborough's fourth playoff team, Armwood, gets the night off before crossing the bay to face Largo next week.

The rest of the schools can only look to end their years on a positive note and embrace the tried and true off-season chant: Wait till next year.

Seffner Christian (4-4) at Leesburg First Academy (7-2)

Last Week: Seffner Christian was off; First Academy defeated Ocala Christian 48-14.

Why You Should Go: To see if the Crusaders can win the first playoff game in school history. Seffner Christian posted a 4-1 record in the South Division of the Sunshine State Athletic Conference. They play for the conference title if they win, but it won't be easy. First Academy has won seven straight, averaging more than 46 points a game during the streak.

King (2-7) at Durant (9-0)

Last Week: Armwood defeated King 19-8; Durant defeated Riverview 57-27.

Why You Should Go: To see if the Cougars can pull out of an undefeated regular season for the first time in school history.

Bloomingdale (4-5) at Newsome (5-4)

Last Week: Plant defeated Bloomingdale 51-20; Newsome defeated Plant City 40-7.

Why You Should Go: Newsome's pass defense has been solid throughout the year. The Wolves have seven interceptions, led by Aaron Wade's three.

Spoto (3-6) at Wharton (7-2)

Last Week: Lakewood defeated Spoto 34-17; Wharton defeated Alonso 37-20.

Why You Should Go: Tavaris Johnson has 6.5 sacks on the season and is fourth on the Spartans with 51 tackles this season.

Tampa Bay Tech (6-3) at Plant City (4-5)

Last Week: Gaither defeated Tampa Bay Tech 35-32; Newsome defeated Plant City 40-7.

Why You Should Go: Plant City likes to throw the ball around the field, but former receiver Colby Diers has filled in well at running back due to injuries. Diers ran for 56 last week against Newsome, including a 41-yard scamper near the end of the half.

Brandon (1-8) at Jefferson (5-4)

Last Week: East Bay defeated Brandon 7-6; Jefferson defeated Strawberry Crest 35-31.

Why You Should Go: The Eagles are 1-8 but they've been playing much better football of late, especially on defense. Brandon has lost the last two games by a combined three points.

Gaither (7-2) at Riverview (2-7)

Last Week: Gaither defeated Tampa Bay Tech 35-32; Durant defeated Riverview 57-27.

Why You Should Go: The Sharks have lost seven straight, but Brandon Stage has been solid. The junior kicker booted a pair of long field goals (40 and 43 yards) and hit on all three extra points last week against Durant.

East Bay (4-5) at Strawberry Crest (3-6)

Last Week: East Bay defeated Brandon 7-6; Jefferson defeated Strawberry Crest 35-31.

Why You Should Go: East Bay Deondre Romeo is having a spectacular season. The junior linebacker has 109 tackles for the year and is averaging just over 12 per game.

By Captain Matt Santiago, Special to the Times
Wednesday, November 7, 2012

WARM UP TO SUCCESS: Finding warm water is key this time of year. Your temperature gauge can be a great tool to utilize if you have one on your boat. Water that is just a few degrees warmer than its surrounding can be a magnet for game fish. Finding areas of warm water can be the difference between catching a few fish and keeping the rods bent all day. Rivers such as the Little Manatee and Alafia are great areas to find and fish warm water. Mud and docks hold heat throughout the day better than sand.

POWER FISHING: The Apollo Beach power plant is also a great area. The water that is pumped out of the power plant is much warmer than the surrounding water and is a major fish attractant. This attraction will only get stronger as winter gets closer.

BAIT: Whitebait will continue to be the bait of choice until it leaves the flats. Whitebait is still pretty easy to net on almost all area flats and that should continue until we have some sustained cold weather. Shrimp are starting to move their way up the depth chart and should soon begin producing fish equally as well as whitebait.

DOCKS: The dock fishing in our region has been on fire lately. Snook and redfish are feeding very aggressively on free lined baits tossed under and around dock pilings. If a fish dinner is part of your plan, docks fishing offers a great opportunity to cash in on an excellent sheepshead and mangrove snapper bite. Using light leader and smaller hooks is imperative to getting these keen-eyed finicky fish to bite.

Matt Santiago can be reached at (813) 205-2327, captainmattsantiago@gmail.com or fishingguidetampa.com.

By Antonya English, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, November 7, 2012

GAINESVILLE — A few years ago the Florida men's basketball team was coming off consecutive NIT appearances and fielding questions about the state of the program. Now, after back-to-back Elite Eight appearances and with a preseason top 10 ranking, the Gators are back among the nation's top programs and begin a new season Friday night with a mix of veterans and newcomers they believe has the potential to be very good.

"We have a lot of our guys back, and we know that if we play the way we're capable, this team can make another run," senior forward/center Erik Murphy said.

Three starters return: senior guard Kenny Boynton, the team's leading scorer (15.9); Murphy; and junior center Patric Young. Junior forward Will Yeguete, who missed the final month of last season with a fractured bone in his foot, also returns, providing strong rebounding and post presence.

But for the first time in four years, Erving Walker will not be the Gators' point guard, and Florida must also try to replace the scoring and rebounding of Bradley Beal (14.8, 6.7), who took his skills to the NBA after just one season at UF. Junior guard Scottie Wilbekin, who has played significant minutes in reserve, will take over at point guard.

"It's going to be different but I think, overall, Scottie is going to step in in Erving's place," Boynton said. "But I think it's going to take a collective effort to get in and replace Beal."

Florida will open its season Friday night vs. Georgetown in a game that will be played on the USS Bataan Naval ship at Mayport in Jacksonville. One of Florida coach Billy Donovan's top concerns is the Gators' rebounding struggles, which surfaced in the exhibition game against Nebraska-Kearney. UF outrebounded Nebraska-Kearney 32-29 and Murphy and Young combined for six points and seven rebounds. Georgetown has four starters who are 6 feet 8 or taller.

"You're a Division II school, and it's 32-29 on the glass," Donovan said. "You've got your power forward and center with seven total rebounds in 40 minutes. That's a concern. Our guards weren't much better, either. That's not good enough. They've got to go after the basketball and they've got to come down with it."

Young said the Gators' style in the post often hampers rebounding, but he believes the problem can be fixed.

"I think it's pretty tough trying to be a team that rebounds high up in the air on the rim when you're so focused on blocking your guy out," Young said. "When you're engaging someone it's hard to get off the ground. But if we're all doing our jobs as far as blocking out and making sure our individual guy doesn't get the ball, we should be fine."

The opener — outside on a ship at night — may pose unique challenges for the Gators, who plan to use a three-guard lineup of Wilbekin, Boynton and senior Mike Rosario. There's no telling how the wind will affect shooting.

"I think you've got to be smart what kind of shots we do take," Donovan said. "We've been practicing a certain way for most of this time to get ready for our season. Both teams will have to deal with the elements, outside, whether it's very cold or windy whatever it may be, we're both going to be dealing with it. … I think we've got to be smart in terms of taking those kind of shots. I don't think that we can go into the game saying we're going to totally alter everything we're doing because we're outside."

Antonya English can be reached at english@tampabay.com.