Top point guards on display

On nights when they aren’t playing, two of the brightest, young point guards in college basketball keep in touch.

Sometimes, it’s through instant messaging. Other times, the two talk on the phone or send text messages.

When Florida plays Syracuse tonight in Kansas City, Mo., in the semifinals of the O’Reilly Auto Parts/CBE Classic, it will be a reunion of sorts for Florida sophomore point guard Nick Calathes and Syracuse sophomore point guard Jonny Flynn.

Both remain good friends, having played together at various summer camps and on the 2007 McDonald’s All-American team. Calathes said that they talk up to three times a week.

“Jonny is a heckuva player,” Calathes said. “He’s athletic, he sees the floor well, he’s got a high IQ, so I have a lot of respect for him. I hope he has a lot of respect for me. I think we totally respect each other that way.”

The respect is mutual. Flynn calls Calathes, “the smartest point guard in the country.”

“He just outsmarts you,” Flynn said. “That’s what I respect the most of about Nick, his basketball IQ. His ability to see the floor and make everyone around him better is just tremendous.”

Both excelled as freshmen at their respective schools. Calathes earned Southeastern Conference co-freshman of the year honors, leading Florida in scoring (15.3 ppg) while dishing a school-record 221 assists. Flynn earned Big East co-freshman of the year honors, averaging 15.7 points per game and 5.3 assists while logging more than 39 minutes per game in conference play.

Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim views Flynn’s durability as an asset, even though he acknowledges there’s a plan to scale back his minutes this year.

“We’d like to rest him,” Boeheim said. “There’s a plan, but I’m sure there are going to be some alterations to that plan. I believe that with halftime, with the TV timeouts being three-to-four minutes, that kids can play extended minutes.”

Like Flynn at Syracuse, Calathes led UF in minutes played at 32.6 points per game.

Flynn is smaller (6-feet, 186 pounds) and quicker than Calathes (6-6, 196). Both players are excellent passers with deep shooting range.

Flynn’s quickness concerns Florida coach Billy Donovan.

“I think we have to play him with four people,” Donovan said. “I don’t know if there’s anyone on our team that can guard him. You’re talking about maybe the best point guard in the country. That’s how good he is. So when I say that I don’t say that out of lack of respect for our team, I say that more out of respect for Flynn.”

Donovan is wary of both Flynn and Syracuse senior shooting guard Eric Devendorf, a player that he heavily recruited.

“Devendorf coming off an injury gives them another experienced basketball player who is very good off the dribble, very quick and they’ve got size in their frontcourt,” Donovan said.

Tonight will represent the first big test of the season for both Syracuse and Florida, two teams looking to get back to the NCAA Tournament after NIT appearances last season.

“Every year you want to make the NCAA Tournament, have a chance to play for a national championship,” Flynn said. “That’s what you play for.”

Flynn and Calathes both admit it will feel different playing against each other for the first time, but that the novelty should wear off by tipoff.

“I think we’ll be more focused on the team, to be honest,” Calathes said. “I think our team has to come out and play. It’s not going to be just me and Jonny. I think he knows that and I know that. Our whole team has to come out and be prepared.”

O'Reilly Auto Parts/CBE Basketball Classic Semifinal teams

FLORIDA GATORS

2007-08 Record: 24-12

2008-09 Record: 3-0

Key Returners: Nick Calathes, so. pg; Dan Werner, jr., f; Walter Hodge, sr, sg.

Key Newcomers: Ray Shipman, fr., g., Allan Chaney, so., f

Outlook: Still young, Florida will look to improve as the season progresses and return to the NCAA Tournament after reaching the NIT semifinals last season.

SYRACUSE ORANGEMEN

2007-08 Record: 21-14

2008-09 Record: 3-0

Key Returners: Jonny Flynn, so., pg; Eric Devendorf, jr., sg; Arinze Onaku, jr., c.

Key Newcomers: Kris Joseph fr., f; Mookie Jones, fr., f.

Outlook: There's enough talent here to return to the NCAA Tournament after two straight NIT appearances.

KANSAS JAYHAWKS

2007-08 Record: 37-3

2008-09 Record: 2-0

Key Returners: Cole Aldrich, so., c; Sherron Collins, jr., g

Key Newcomers: Travis Releford, fr, g; Markieff Morris, fr., f; Marcus Morris, fr., f.

Outlook: Basically, reigning national champion Kansas is starting over, but there's young talent on the roster that should mature. Expect Kansas to make the NCAA Tournament, just don't expect them to go very far.

WASHINGTON HUSKIES

2007-08 Record: 16-17

2008-09 Record: 3-1

Key Returners: Jon Brockman, sr., f; Justin Dentmon, sr., g.

Key Newcomers: Isaiah Thomas, fr., g; Scott Suggs. fr., g.

Outlook: After a tough early-season loss against Portland, the Huskies bounced back with a quality win against underrated Cleveland State. Washington should finish the regular season near the NCAA Tournament bubble.