NEW YORK CITY – Last year, Justin Gray figured to be firmly established as Wake Forest’s shooting guard looking ahead to this season. The senior had to take over at point guard with the departure of Chris Paul, yet still figured to play a large role for the Demon Deacons.

But it was an unknown point guard for the opposition that outshined Gray in his first true test as floor leader Thursday night, as Florida’s Taurean Green led the Gators to a 77-72 win in the first semifinal of the 2K Sports College Hoops Classic benefiting Coaches vs. Cancer.

The sophomore Green – who didn’t start a game last season – scored 23 points and hit several key 3-pointers for Florida, outdueling Gray, who couldn’t overcome Florida’s constant press and balanced scoring. Though Gray netted 19 points, he epitomized the Deacons’ careless play with seven turnovers.

Florida faces Syracuse tonight at 9 for the tournament title. SU defeated Texas Tech, 81-46, in the second game. The Deacons face the Red Raiders at 7 p.m. in the consolation game.

Still a veteran team despite the loss of Paul, Wake Forest (2-1) showed it still has a ways to go to regain the magic from last year’s 27-6 season. The younger Florida (3-0) team appeared motivated to avenge another early-round exit in the NCAA Tournament in last year’s second round to Villanova.

‘When I was open, I like to let them go,’ Green said. ‘Coach (Billy Donovan) lets us play with a lot of freedom. We just have to take the shots.’

It was Green who keyed an 11-4 Gator run in the second half that opened the biggest lead of the game until then – seven points at 61-54. After one of Gray’s many turnovers, Green grabbed the ball and fired it down court to Corey Brewer for an alley-oop dunk. Several possessions later, Green hit one of his four 3-pointers.

Green didn’t start last year and only averaged 3.9 points a game. But he played a team-high 36 minutes Thursday night. Florida head coach Billy Donovan stressed his team, which starts four sophomores and one junior, must rely on a variety of players this season.

‘Taurean is not going to score 23 for us (every night),’ Donovan said. ‘We’ve got to be a team that’s different people every night. Hopefully we’ve got guys that can step up.’

Florida held on because of Wake’s inconsistency on offense. Part of the problem was a relentless Florida press, which helped cause 22 Demon Deacon turnovers in the game.

Gray said afterward he was too nice at times, trying to find teammates instead of taking the ball to the hoop.

‘A couple of times I got in the lane and tried to pass out,’ Gray said. ‘I’ve got to shoot.’

Center Eric Williams, Wake’s leading scorer last season, led the Demon Deacons with 20 points. For Florida, Green was aided by Brewer, who had 15.

Neither team led by more than four points in a back-and-forth first half that saw Florida end up on top, 39-37. After Florida’s rally in the second half, Wake Forest tried to close the gap. But Green hit his final 3, putting Florida back up by seven points at 68-61 with three minutes left. Florida’s finished off the win with strong free throw shooting, making 19 on the night.

Wake Forest head coach Skip Prosser had nothing but praise for the new Florida floor leader.

‘He is very, very good,’ Prosser said of Green. ‘He was very talented coming out of high school. I think the real good teams have talent and experience. If you had to make a choice between the two, I think most coaches would take talent. Billy has a talented group of guys.’

Published on November 17, 2005 at 12:00 pm