Sports | Basketball - The Independent Florida Alligator

UF’s John Egbunu grabs a rebound during Florida’s 95-63 win against Auburn on Jan. 23, 2016, in the O’Connell Center.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida hindered by John Egbunu's foul trouble in loss

By ALEX MAMINAKIS | Jan. 27, 2016

In basketball, size matters.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Three Gators headed to Super Bowl, Noah likely out for season

By Luis Torres | Jan. 26, 2016

The matchup for Super Bowl 50 is set between the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers, and three former Gators will be playing in the biggest game of their professional careers as members of the Broncos.

UF guard Simone Westbrook drives into the paint during Florida's 53-45 win against LSU on Jan. 17, 2016, in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

UF women's basketball falls to Missouri on road

By Ethan Bauer | Jan. 24, 2016

With 40 seconds left in Sunday’s game against Missouri, Florida’s Cassie Peoples took a jumper with her team down by 13.

UF’s Dorian Finney-Smith drives into the paint during Florida’s 95-63 win against Auburn on Jan. 23, 2016, in the O’Connell Center.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators thrash Tigers behind offensive explosion

By IAN COHEN | Jan. 23, 2016

The only thing that went wrong was the sequence after the opening tip.

UF forward Justin Leon goes up for a dunk during Florida's 81-78 win over Mississippi State on Jan. 19, 2016 in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

UF men's basketball looking to keep win streak alive against Auburn

By ALEX MAMINAKIS | Jan. 21, 2016

Two wins in a row is nothing for Florida to celebrate.

UF guard Eleanna Christinaki drives down the court during Florida's 53-45 win against LSU on Jan. 17, 2016, in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators continue SEC schedule against improving Tide

By Ethan Bauer | Jan. 20, 2016

Alabama’s schedule is unusual.

Dorian Finney-Smith dunks during Florida's 81-78 win against Mississippi State on Tuesday in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Late free throws push Gators past Mississippi State

By ALEX MAMINAKIS | Jan. 19, 2016

A second-half push led Florida to a close, three-point win on Tuesday night in the final minute against Mississippi State.

UF guard Carlie Needles (right) and women's basketball assistant coach Bill Ferrera react after a play during Florida's loss to Georgia on Jan. 14, 2016, in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Senior guard paving way for UF women's basketball team

By Ethan Bauer | Jan. 19, 2016

As the Florida women's basketball team trailed Georgia 42-25 in the third quarter last week, the clock stopped for a timeout. The Gators huddled on the sideline waiting for instruction, motivation or some combination of the two.

UF coach Mike White reacts after a play during Florida’s 68-62 win over LSU on Jan. 9, 2016, in the O’Connell Center.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida coach Mike White returns to alma mater as opponent

By ALEX MAMINAKIS | Jan. 14, 2016

Mike White will always be a Rebel.

UF forward Dorian Finney-Smith goes for a layup during Florida’s 68-62 win over LSU on Jan. 9, 2016, in the O’Connell Center.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Missed free throws, turnovers to blame for Gators' loss to Texas A&M

By IAN COHEN | Jan. 13, 2016

Florida has not hesitated to be honest this season.

UF point guard Chris Chiozza drives the ball down the court during Florida’s 77-63 win against Georgia on Jan.2, 2016, in the O’Connell Center.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Missed free throws doom UF in loss to Texas A&M

By ALEX MAMINAKIS | Jan. 12, 2016

Florida had the ball with 8.5 seconds remaining against No. 15 Texas A&M, trailing by three points with a chance to tie.

UF guard Carlie Needles drives into the paint during Florida's win against Savannah State on Nov. 24, 2015, in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Depth, experience paying dividends for women’s basketball team

By Ethan Bauer | Jan. 12, 2016

Florida’s women’s basketball team is surging, and people are taking notice.

Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford (15) scores against Chicago Bulls center Pau Gasol (16) in the second half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Jan. 9, 2016, in Atlanta. Atlanta won 120-105. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators in the NBA: Horford hitting stride

By Luis Torres | Jan. 12, 2016

With the NBA All-Star break about a month away, it looks like former Gator and current Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford has the best chance to play in the All-Star Game when it’s held in Toronto on Feb. 14.

UF coach Mike White walks onto the court prior to Florida’s 68-62 win over LSU on Jan. 9, 2016, in the O’Connell Center.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators men's basketball continues conference play against surging Aggies

By ALEX MAMINAKIS | Jan. 11, 2016

With Ben Simmons in the rearview mirror until Florida and LSU meet again on Feb. 27, the Gators will hit the road for the first of two consecutive Southeastern-Conference matchups.

UF guard Brooke Copeland drives into the paint during Florida's win against Savannah State on Nov. 24, 2015.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Building a Bond: Florida women’s basketball volunteers time to community

By Ethan Bauer | Jan. 11, 2016

Head coach Amanda Butler has long said that one of the most important things she does as a coach is develop good people — not just good basketball players.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Column: If it hopes to contend, Gators' defense must continue to be elite

By IAN COHEN | Jan. 10, 2016

Before it began, it didn’t seem as if the 2015-16 season would be one of success for the Gators. There were changes — a new coach, new players and a new scheme — and there were departures, the most monumental being Billy Donovan’s jump to the NBA.

UF guard Chris Chiozza shoots a three-pointer during Florida’s 68-62 win over LSU on Jan. 9, 2016, in the O’Connell Center.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators men's basketball keeping games close despite poor shooting

By ALEX MAMINAKIS | Jan. 10, 2016

It’s tough to win basketball games when you can’t shoot very well.

UF center John Egbunu dunks during Florida’s 68-62 win over LSU on Jan. 9, 2016, in the O’Connell Center.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Signs of life: Increased defensive effort lifts Florida over LSU

By IAN COHEN | Jan. 9, 2016

Within the game’s first three minutes John Egbunu was already on the floor, laying out for a loose ball near the baseline.

UF forward Justin Leon corrals a rebound during Florida’s 68-62 win over LSU on Jan. 9, 2016, in the O’Connell Center.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Justin Leon provides spark for Gators in win over LSU

By ALEX MAMINAKIS | Jan. 9, 2016

The day before Florida squared off against LSU in the O’Connell Center, UF forward Justin Leon was asked if he had ever faced a player like LSU forward Ben Simmons while playing two seasons at Shawnee Community College.

UF coach Mike White reacts after a play during Florida’s 77-63 win against Georgia on Jan. 2, 2016, in the O’Connell Center.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Mike White frustrated with loss, lack of effort against Tennessee

By IAN COHEN | Jan. 7, 2016

To say that Florida struggled against Tennessee on Wednesday would be putting it lightly.