Every week, coach Amanda Butler plasters the Gators’ practice facility with reminders. On the door to the training room and again as you enter the gym, even posted on the walls under the baskets, are signs with the week’s emphasis.
Recently, it was “Obsessed,” but now the Florida women’s basketball team has developed something that can’t be cultivated in practice.
The Gators closed their regular-season schedule on their highest note — a three-game winning streak, including two upsets against Vanderbilt and No. 22 Georgia — and are playing with a different demeanor that’s easily recognizable in their play.
“You can just never underestimate how powerful confidence is,” Butler said. “There’s a cumulative effect there with our team that I think you can’t underestimate. We’ve experienced so many disappointing losses. To finally be turning those around in our favor … I think feels so good for them.”
With the start of the Southeastern Conference Tournament today, that newfound poise couldn’t have come at a better time. In a rematch of the opening of the conference schedule, the first game of the tournament features No. 8 seed Florida (17-13, 7-9 SEC) taking on No. 9 seed Arkansas (18-10, 6-10 SEC) at 1 p.m. in Nashville, Tenn.
The Gators defeated the then-No. 22 Razorbacks 64-53 on Jan. 2, and Butler said that victory would hopefully add to her team’s ever-growing belief in itself heading into the second showdown.
“We played pretty well against them, and that’s how we started the SEC season,” Butler said.
Deana Allen, Ndidi Madu and Jennifer George all scored in double digits against the Razorbacks, and Lanita Bartley and Jaterra Bonds were one away with nine points.
What worked then — contributions from all over the floor — is what’s working for Florida now.
UF had a different leading scorer, and multiple players contributing, in each of its last three games.
Bartley led with 23 points against Mississippi State, but George had 21 and Bonds added 11. Versus Vanderbilt, guard Jordan Jones sparked Florida with 16 points, while Bartley went for 15 and center Azania Stewart added 14. Then, in the Georgia game, Bonds was the top dog with 22 points, Jones had 18 and Allen scored 10.
“It’s a tremendous advantage because it makes it really difficult for our opponents to figure out which way to attack us,” Butler said, while adding that it also boosts the team’s total confidence. “There’s not just one person that’s feeling like, ‘I’ve got to play great or we’re not going to win.’”
In addition to the balanced offense, the Gators have played exceptional defense down the stretch, something Butler said was a major factor in their recent wins and their improved mindset.
Florida has allowed more than 70 points just twice in its last six games — once in the 74-71 victory over Georgia and again in the double-overtime loss to Vanderbilt — and held the SEC’s top offense, Tennessee, to just 61.
The defense, Butler said, was the reason the team bounced back from a brutal stretch of eight losses in 10 games.
“Finally, we were able to cross the threshold,” Butler said. “We were just knocking on the door, but we finally kicked the door down.”
Now, it’s tournament time, and there are new obstacles in the Gators’ path, beginning with Arkansas.
And Florida appears more than ready.
“We’re excited about the chance to go out and compete feeling good about ourselves,” Butler said. “Hopefully there’s some magic left in Nashville.”
