Sports | Basketball - The Independent Florida Alligator

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

March Madness preview: West Region

By GREG LUCA | Mar. 19, 2013

The Favorite: Gonzaga

Junior forward Will Yeguete (15) prepares to shoot a free throw during Florida’s 74-56 win against Wisconsin on Nov. 14 in the O’Connell Center.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Free-throw shooting proving problematic for Florida

By LANDON WATNICK< | Mar. 18, 2013

As Florida trailed Ole Miss 66-63 with 4.2 seconds left Sunday, point guard Scottie Wilbekin had an opportunity to make the Gators’ uphill battle less difficult.

Junior forward Will Yeguete attempts a layup during Florida’s 66-40 victory against Vanderbilt on March 6 in the O’Connell Center. Yeguete underwent arthroscopic debridement on his right knee Wednesday.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

March Madness preview: East Region

By GREG LUCA< | Mar. 17, 2013

The Favorite: Indiana

Senior guard Kenny Boynton (1) takes it to the basket during Florida’s 66-63 loss to Ole Miss in the SEC Tournament final on March 17 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. Boynton and the Gators have lost in the Elite Eight each of the last two years.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators lose SEC tourney title, earn No. 3 seed

By LANDON WATNICK< | Mar. 17, 2013

After falling 66-63 to Ole Miss on Sunday in the Southeastern Conference Tournament final, Florida will travel to Austin, Texas, for the NCAA Tournament.

Kenny Boynton attempts a shot over the outstretched arm of an Alabama defender. Boynton ranks No. 2 on Florida's all-time scoring list.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators advance to SEC Tournament finals

By LANDON WATNICK< | Mar. 16, 2013

As Florida trailed Alabama 37-27 with 16:05 remaining, Kenny Boynton woke up from a scoreless slump and put No. 13 UF on his back.

Senior forward Erik Murphy (33) attempts a pass during Florida’s 69-52 win against Kentucky on Feb. 12 in the O’Connell Center. The Chicago Bulls selected Murphy 49th overall on Thursday night in the 2013 NBA Draft.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida defeats LSU 80-58 in SEC quarterfinals

By LANDON WATNICK< | Mar. 15, 2013

In UF’s first game of the Southeastern Conference Tournament, Erik Murphy propelled No. 13 Florida to a rout of LSU.

Junior center Patric Young (right) attempts a hook shot during Florida’s 66-40 win against Vanderbilt on March 6 in the O’Connell Center. .

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida hoping to regain intensity

By LANDON WATNICK< | Mar. 14, 2013

Forty-six seconds were all coach Billy Donovan could handle.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Donovan, Gators win SEC awards

Mar. 12, 2013

Florida snagged several of the Southeastern Conference’s top individual honors on Tuesday.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Ill-timed turnovers plague Gators in close losses

By LANDON WATNICK | Mar. 11, 2013

Although missing shots has hurt the Gators in late-game situations this season, coach Billy Donovan said turnovers played a bigger role in the Gators’ meltdowns against Kentucky on Saturday, Missouri on Feb. 19 and Arizona on Dec. 15.

Guard Jaterra Bonds (10) attempts a shot during Florida’s 69-58 win against Arkansas on Feb. 28 in the O’Connell Center.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators await postseason fate

By PHILLIP HEILMAN< | Mar. 10, 2013

Following an 82-73 loss to top-seeded and ninth-ranked Tennessee in the quarterfinals of the Southeastern Conference Tournament on Friday, Florida awaits its postseason fate, hoping for an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament.

Junior point guard Scottie Wilbekin drives the lane during Florida’s 66-40 win against Vanderbilt on Wednesday in the O’Connell Center.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Offensive cold streak dooms UF

By LANDON WATNICK | Mar. 10, 2013

In the heat of Saturday afternoon’s game against Kentucky, Florida went cold.

Forward Erik Murphy passes the ball during Florida’s 77-44 win against Georgia on Jan. 9 in the O’Connell Center. Murphy scored 17 points in Florida's 61-57 loss at Kentucky on Saturday.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

No. 11 Florida falls on road at Kentucky

By LANDON WATNICK | Mar. 9, 2013

After taking a 57-50 lead against Kentucky with 7:36 left, Florida went scoreless for the remainder of the contest.

Senior guard Kenny Boynton walks back to play defense after scoring during Florida’s 69-52 victory against Kentucky on Feb. 12 in the O’Connell Center.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators win outright SEC title with victory against Vanderbilt

Mar. 6, 2013

Despite an inauspicious two-week stretch that saw Florida go just 2-2 and draw the ire of coach Billy Donovan, the Gators took a commanding step closer to their ultimate goal on Wednesday night.

Sydney Moss (40) attempts a pass during Florida’s 68-57 loss to Vanderbilt on Thursday in the O’Connell Center. Moss notched her third career double-double in Florida's 67-56 loss at South Carolina on Sunday.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators fall to Gamecocks in reglar season finale

Mar. 3, 2013

With one final chance to bolster their resume prior to the Southeastern Conference Tournament, the Gators fell short in their regular season finale on Sunday.

Jennifer George (32) shoots during Florida’s 62-57 loss to Georgia on Sunday in the O’Connell Center. George notched her ninth double-double of the season in Florida's 69-58 win against Arkansas on Thursday.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida holds off late Arkansas rally for win in home finale

Feb. 28, 2013

Jennifer George wanted to cap a frustrating season with a victory in her final home game as a Gator.

Junior forward Will Yeguete talks with fans following Florida’s 69-52 win against Kentucky on Feb. 12 in the O’Connell Center. Yeguete has been medically cleared to play against Alabama on Saturday at noon.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Key reserves cleared to return on Saturday

By LANDON WATNICK | Feb. 28, 2013

Despite the Southeastern Conference title race implications on the line in Florida’s home matchup against Alabama on Saturday at noon in the O’Connell Center, coach Billy Donovan is taking a cautious approach with forward Will Yeguete (right knee) and guard Michael Frazier II (concussion).

Jaterra Bonds (10) drives the lane during Florida’s 68-57 loss to Vanderbilt on Feb. 21 in the O’Connell Center.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Junior point guard driven by past failure in clutch moment

Feb. 27, 2013

Jaterra Bonds remembers the sequence like it was yesterday.

Freshman DeVon Walker runs down the court during Florida’s 83-52 win against Missouri on Jan. 19 in the O’Connell Center. Walker announced Monday he will return to Florida after asking for his release to transfer on May 6.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida struggles on the boards in loss to Tennessee

By LANDON WATNICK | Feb. 27, 2013

When Tennessee guard Trae Golden dished the ball to Jarnell Stokes on the low block with 8:16 left in the first half, forwards Erik Murphy and DeVon Walker double-teamed the 6-foot-8, 270-pound center.

Christin Mercer (25) drives the lane in UF’s 87-54 win against Alabama on Feb. 3. Coach Amanda Butler has identified Mercer as an important post player for the Gators.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida struggling to establish consistent inside presence

Feb. 26, 2013

Earning trips to the foul line has been anything but charity recently for the Gators.

Trainers help Michael Frazier II (20) off the court after the freshman guard suffered a concussion in UF’s win against Arkansas on Saturday.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

UF tweaking lineup amid injuries

By LANDON WATNICK | Feb. 25, 2013

The Gators’ depth will be tested tonight in Knoxville, Tenn.