Donovan calls Ohio St. crowd 'classy'

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Florida coach Billy Donovan knew his young team was going to get a test from the crowd in its first road game of the season.

For the most part, though, Donovan said he felt the Ohio State fans conducted themslves with class.

"I thought their crowd was terrific," Donovan said. "Very classy. They were focused on cheering hard for their team and what they were doing."

Florida has had some ugly incidents in past road games in the Southeastern Conference in recent seasons. Joakim Noah and Matt Walsh were favorite targets. Opposing fans at Florida State and Vanderbilt stormed the court following wins against the Gators last season.

The lone target that emerged late in the game was Florida freshman forward Chandler Parsons, who was mocked by the crowd after air-balling a free-throw attempt. After the miss, fans chanted "air ball" each time Parsons touched the ball.

Freshman guard Jai Lucas said he liked the atmosphere, even though fans were cheering against him.

"I wasn't nervous or scared," Lucas said. "That's why you play college basketball, to play in big games like this in big arenas like this."

Family affair

Family members of Alex Tyus, Jonathan Mitchell and Shane Payne attended Saturday's game. Lucas' dad, former NBA player and coach John Lucas, was supposed to make it, but couldn't because of flight problems.

Lucas (Houston, Texas), Mitchell (Mount Vernon, N.Y.) and Dan Werner (Middletown, N.J.) left from Columbus directly home following Saturday's game. Florida will have a break for the holidays before resuming practice later this week to prepare for Saturday's game in Sunrise against Temple.

Etc.

Mitchell scored five points off the bench, his most since scoring a season-high 10 points last Nov. 27 against Stetson. ... Parsons is four for his last 27 from 3-point range. ... Florida had a Friday night shoot-around at Value City Arena, but had to shoot in an auxiliary gym on Saturday morning because a women's basketball game was played at the arena earlier in the afternoon. ... Ohio State's sellout was its second this season. ... The Buckeyes are 40-8 at Value City Arena when the game is sold out.