Becoming Florida’s coach four years ago was a welcome homecoming for UF alum Amanda Butler, but venturing outside of Gainesville has been problematic.
Since taking over the Gators in 2007, Butler’s squads have recorded a 20-32 record on the road, including a 7-15 mark against nonconference foes.
As Florida (6-2) prepares for its first true road game of the season tonight against San Francisco (1-8), Butler is aiming to reverse UF’s fortunes away from home.
“We certainly need to start tackling some of those challenges — not having the chance just to be in Florida or to be at home,” Butler said. “All of the things, all of the adversity you expect with the road, start facing some of that, learning what that means, what that feels like and finding ways to win in those environments.”
A typical struggle of playing on the road is dealing with unfamiliar settings — something the Gators experienced with six new players joining the fold last season.
Florida’s lack of cohesion cost them in the early going as it lost five of six away games against nonconference foes during the 2010-11 season.
“We were trying to overcome a lack of confidence, especially on the road,” Butler said.
“It turns into a bigger monster than it really is because it’s in your mind and that’s what makes it so powerful.”
However, an impressive 6-2 start this season has senior guard Jordan Jones brimming with confidence.
Jones believes the Gators are capable of making the road a home away from home.
“We’re a year older,” she said. “You can’t underestimate being more mature, learning those lessons and knowing how tough it is (on the road).”
After a lengthy five-game road trip, tonight’s game is San Francisco’s first home appearance since Nov. 18. In the midst of a seven-game losing streak, the Dons will be seeking their first victory since Nov. 13.
Butler expects a big crowd in tonight’s matchup, labeling it as “a dangerous game.”
“The hostile crowd, I think, is a positive sometimes — it energizes you as a competitor,” Butler said.
While UF has yet to face an opponent on the road, it has already played games away from the O’Connell Center this year.
During Thanksgiving break, the Gators traveled to Brooklyn, N.Y., to play in the Courtyard LaGuardia Turkey Classic. Florida won back-to-back games against La Salle and Charlotte during its stay in New York.
“It‘s just going to prove our maturity level,” senior guard Deana Allen said.
“We can also win games away from our fans.”
Last Friday, UF lost to No. 11 Rutgers in a neutral-site game in Daytona Beach.
While the Gators were playing near home, the Scarlet Knights benefited from the lack of a strong showing by Florida fans.
“It’s not a brand-new experience,” Butler said.
“We’ve already flown a few places, been on a few buses and been in a few hotels, so this won’t be much different.”
Florida coach Amanda Butler (left) has a 20-32 record on the road since taking the job in 2007, including a 7-15 mark against nonconference teams.
