Twenty days ago, Teddy Dupay was lying in a hospital room, recovering from back surgery. On Tuesday night, he was in the middle of a competitive basketball game featuring two teams ranked in the Top 15.

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Dupay's presence on the court was so emotional for the Gators. The Rowdy Reptiles, the fans at O'Connell Center, erupted when Dupay ripped off his warm-ups and entered the game. ”

Dupay was just glad to be back in uniform, happy to have a chance to contribute. That's exactly what he did, and I couldn't believe how aggressive he was, given the recent surgery. He played seven minutes in the first half, but it didn't matter whether he scored; his presence provided an immediate lift to the Gators.

He was diving and hustling for loose balls, setting the tone for his teammates. When he wasn't in the game, he was a cheerleader on the sidelines, encouraging the Gators in a big win over Tennessee.

Dupay's presence on the court was so emotional for Billy Donovan's club. The Rowdy Reptiles, the fans at O'Connell Center, erupted when Dupay ripped off his warm-ups and entered the contest. He was Mr. Clutch, hitting a big trifecta with eight minutes left and the score tied 53-53. The Gators took over once they grabbed the lead on that 3-pointer.

I bet a lot of coaches were shocked to see Dupay on the court so soon. The guard showed heart, guts and courage. To me, this is one of the biggest stories in college basketball this season. What a lift for his teammates, who clearly fed off the emotion of the moment, beating a talented Vols squad.

This Florida team is very different now that it almost has its full rotation. Justin Hamilton is still sidelined, but Brent Wright came back sooner than expected, followed by Dupay's amazing return.

Billy Donovan made no excuses when injuries were a factor. When Florida was 1-3 in SEC play, there were plenty of people questioning the Gators. If Tuesday night is any indication, watch out for Florida, baby!

Brett Nelson plays under control now. He wouldn't have made the same plays last year. Matt Bonner is solid, a capable outside shooter and a terrific rebounder. With the inside presence of Wright and Udonis Haslem, this is a very dangerous team.

On Tuesday night, while Florida earned the big W, it was Dupay who made the headlines. He was awesome, baby, with a capital A!