Sports | Columns - The Independent Florida Alligator

Baltimore’s Chris Davis follows through on a three-run home run against the New York Yankees on June 29 in Baltimore. Davis is the American League’s starting first baseman.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

All-Star Game lacks flair despite playoff implications

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | July 15, 2013

I remember the worst night in All-Star Game history well.

Mike Gillislee (23) takes a handoff from quarterback Jeff Driskel (6) against FSU on Nov. 24. Gillislee ran for 1,152 yards in 2012.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

The Alligator Awards: Who was the best male athlete at Florida in 2012-13?

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | July 10, 2013

As part of the Alligator Awards recognizing the best in UF athletics during the 2012-13 season, columnists Phil Heilman and Adam Lichtenstein will debate two of the five nominees in each week’s category. Vote for the winner online at alligatorSports.org.

Students cheer for the Gators during the Florida Atlantic game on Sept. 3, 2011 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Florida beat Florida Atlantic 41-3.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Catch up on Florida football’s history before season starts

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | July 8, 2013

When I was accepted to the University of Florida for the Fall 2010 semester, I didn’t know much about college sports. I had always preferred professional sports, and in my mind, college athletics were nothing more than wasted time on SportsCenter.

Trey Burton celebrates a touchdown during UF’s 33-23 win against Tennessee on Sept. 17, 2011.  Burton has been listed at three different positions for the Gators since 2010. Florida listed him at wide receiver in its 2013 media guide on Monday.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Interesting tidbits from Florida’s new football media guide

By LANDON WATNICK< | July 8, 2013

The Florida football team released its media guide – sans cover – via Gatorzone.com on Monday.

Former Florida quarterback Tim Tebow throws a pass during UF’s 51-21 win against LSU in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on Oct. 11, 2008.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

The Rally: Will Tim Tebow save his NFL career or flop in New England?

By LANDON WATNICK< | June 12, 2013

A day after Tim Tebow’s release from the New York Jets, the Omaha Beef – an indoor football team in Nebraska – offered the former Florida quarterback a roster spot and $75 per game. Forty-one days later, the New England Patriots trumped the Beef’s offer, signing Tebow to a two-year, non-guaranteed contract. ESPN’s Ed Werder broke the story Monday afternoon, and immediately, our Facebook and Twitter feeds exploded. Tebowmania is a big deal – since ESPN tells us it is – so now it’s our turn to take a stab at it. As the hysteria slowly dies down for the time being, alligatorSports assistant editor Landon Watnick and alligatorSports.org editor Chuck Kingsbury will debate if Tebow will succeed in his first season in Foxborough, Mass.

Junior Jonathon Crawford throws a pitch during Florida’s 9-8 victory against NC State in Game 2 of the NCAA Gainesville Super Regional on June 10, 2012, at McKethan Stadium.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

MLB Draft takes toll on Gators

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | June 10, 2013

Florida baseball is in trouble. For the second straight year, the MLB Draft has sucked the best talent away from Gainesville.

Erika Tymrak goes for the ball against a FIU defender during a match on Sept. 2, 2012. Tymrak led Florida in goals, assists and game-winning goals in her final season as a Gator.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

The Rally: Who is Florida’s equivalent of LeBron James?

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | June 5, 2013

The NBA is nearing the end of its two-month haul through the postseason, and Miami Heat forward LeBron James has continued his dominance through the Eastern Conference Finals. As James leads his team into the Finals against the San Antonio Spurs, alligatorSports editors Adam Lichtenstein and Landon Watnick will decide which Florida player dominates or dominated his or her game in a LeBron-esque fashion.

Coach Tim Walton studies the field during Florida’s 11-1 win against USF on May 18 at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Despite loss, Florida’s future bright

By LANDON WATNICK< | June 5, 2013

Tim Walton is a man of the present, not the future.

Sophomore Casey Turgeon hits a pop fly to first base in the bottom of the eighth inning against Florida Gulf Coast on Feb. 22. Turgeon’s batting average fell from .281 in 2012 to .269 this season.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Results not there for UF

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | May 22, 2013

It’s time for Gators fans to face the facts. This year’s baseball team is not good.

Lauren Embree reaches for a backhand against Georgia at the USTA/ITA Southeast Regional Singles final on Oct. 24, 2011. Embree lost her final dual match as a Gator in Florida’s 4-3 loss to Stanford in the NCAA semifinals on Monday.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Embree deserves to be in conversation of all-time UF greats

By PHIL HEILMAN< | May 22, 2013

Lauren Embree’s list of collegiate accomplishments is nothing short of astounding.

Senior Vickash Ramjit swings at a pitch against Florida State on March 12,at McKethan Stadium. UF will play in the Southeastern Conference Tournament today against TAMU.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

The Rally: What will be Florida’s biggest weakness in the postseason?

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | May 20, 2013

The Florida baseball team could have played itself into being an NCAA Tournament lock with a strong finish to its season. Instead, the Gators lost seven of those 12 games, including two of three to unranked Auburn and Georgia. Today, alligatorSports baseball writers Josh Jurnovoy and Adam Lichtenstein debate what will give Florida more trouble in this week’s Southeastern Conference tournament: hitting or pitching.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Incoming editor finds inspiration

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | May 13, 2013

Last week, sports were the last thing on my mind.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Departing senior columnist owes sanity to statistics

By GREG LUCA< | Apr. 23, 2013

Quarterback Tim Tebow (15) embraces wide receiver Percy Harvin (1) during Florida’s 24-14 win against Oklahoma on Jan. 8, 2009, in the BCS National Championship Game in Miami.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

The Rally: Which Gators first-round NFL draft pick in past 10 years is best?

By ADAM PINCUS< | Apr. 23, 2013

The NFL Draft begins Thursday night at Radio City Music Hall in New York, and former Gators Sharrif Floyd and Matt Elam could both hear their names called on the first night. Nine Florida players have been selected in the first round since 2003. alligatorSports staff writers Adam Pincus and Phillip Heilman debate which former Gator has enjoyed the best NFL career so far.

Junior Jonathon Crawford warms up on the mound during Florida’s 3-2 win against South Carolina on April 11 at McKethan Stadium. Crawford and No. 3 seed Florida will face No. 2 seed Austin Peay in its first NCAA Tournament game on Friday.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Florida needs more innings from starting staff

By JOSH JURNOVOY< | Apr. 22, 2013

The UF baseball team has every right to be pleased.

Junior starting pitcher Jonathon Crawford warms up on the mound during Florida’s 3-2 victory against South Carolina on April 11 at McKethan Stadium. Crawford gave up four runs in four innings against Auburn on Friday.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

The Rally: Does Florida baseball’s recent run spell postseason success?

By ADAM PINCUS< | Apr. 18, 2013

After Florida’s 5-3 win at Florida Gulf Coast on Tuesday, the Gators are winners of six in a row as they travel to Columbia, Mo., this weekend to take on Missouri — the 13th-ranked team in the Southeastern Conference. Josh Jurnovoy and Adam Pincus debate whether Florida’s recent run of success is sustainable or merely a hot streak.