GAME NOTES: SEC action is on tap at Coleman Coliseum on Tuesday night, as the Alabama Crimson Tide play host to the Florida Gators.

Billy Donovan's Gators have struggled to find consistency this season as evidenced by their 10-9 overall record. Things haven't been any better in league play. Florida won its first three SEC games, but has since lost three straight, including Saturday's 72-71 decision at Ole Miss. The team has had real problems on the road this year at a mere 1-4.

Anthony Grant's Crimson Tide are also sporting a 3-3 league ledger. However, the team was finally able to end its own three-game slide by edging out rival Auburn on Saturday, 57-55. The Coleman Coliseum has certainly been a safe have for Alabama this season, as the team is sporting an impressive 11-1 home record thus far.

Alabama holds a 73-64, but Florida has dominated the series under Donovan, with a 21-5 edge during his tenure. Additionally, the Gators have won nine straight meetings and 11 of the past 12 overall.

Florida took a six-point lead into the break against Ole Miss (36-30), but the rebels shot .481 from the floor after the break to post the come-from-behind win and continue the Gators' downward spiral. UF shot a solid .478 from the floor in the game and knocked down 12 3-pointers, but Ole Miss' bench came through with a whopping 40 points in the game. The loss spoiled a terrific performance by Michael Frazier, who erupted for 27 points, thanks to six 3- pointers. he was joined in double figures by Dorian Finney-Smith, who finished with 15 points. Unfortunately, the rest of the starting five could muster just 10 combined points in the setback.

Florida isn't going to put up gaudy offensive numbers this season, but rather, utilizes stifling defensive play to fuel its victories. Despite the mediocre record, the Gators are holding foes to a mere 59.6 ppg this season. the team also owns narrow positive margins in terms of rebounding (+3.0) and turnovers (+1.9). Frazier and Finney-Smith are a decent one-two punch at the offensive end, averaging 13.8 and 13.7 ppg, respectively.

The Crimson Tide trailed by nine points deep into the second half, but rallied and a Rodney Cooper put-back with just six seconds left lifted Alabama to the victory over Auburn, ending a three-game skid. Levi Randolph led the way in the low-scoring affair posting 18 points. Ricky Tarrant and Shannon Hale finished with nine points each and Cooper chipped in with eight in the victory.

Like Florida, Alabama isn't known for its offensive prowess. The team does shoot an efficient .451 from the floor overall, but the result is a modest 69.5 ppg. Still, three of the team's five starters are averaging double figures in the scoring column, providing some diversity in the offensive set. Randolph has been outstanding as he shoots at a .508 clip on the season, leading to a team-best 15.0 ppg. Tarrant adds 13.1 ppg, while Cooper checks in with 10.7 ppg.

Florida is a mere shadow of the team that ran roughshod over the rest of the SEC last season. The Crimson Tide have been nearly unbeatable at home this season and that should continue here.