Sports - 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.

Coach Tim Walton was more than happy to empty his bench in Florida's 19-3 win over Florida A&M on Wednesday. “I think overall the main priority is to get everybody at-bats and to keep our timing right," he said.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Gators softball ranked No. 1 heading into season

By Brian Lee | Jan. 26, 2016

The Florida softball team will begin its national championship defense from the same place it started last season’s: The top.

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 coach Jenny Rowland waves to the crowd prior to Florida’s win against UCLA on Jan. 15, 2016, in the O’Connell Center.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

Gators gymnastics looking to feed off of coach Jenny Rowland

By Alejandro López | Jan. 25, 2016

For Florida gymnastics coach Jenny Rowland, last weekend presented a slew of firsts.

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 coach Bryan Shelton (right) congratulates McClain Kessler during Florida's 6-1 win over Troy on Jan. 17, 2016, at the Ring Tennis Complex.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

UF men's tennis trounces Texas, advances to face Texas Tech

By Dylan Dixon | Jan. 23, 2016

The Florida’s men’s tennis team scored their first upset of the season on Saturday, defeating the University of Texas in convincing fashion to put the Gators’ record at 3-0 on the year.

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.

Taylore Fuller bats during Florida's 8-0 win against Indiana on Feb. 22, 2014 at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Florida utility players look to make impact in 2016 season

By Brian Lee | Jan. 21, 2016

Depth and versatility are two qualities essential to any championship team.

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.

Freshman Caeleb Dressel jumps into the pool at the start of the 200-yard breaststroke event during Day 3 of the 2014 Pinch A Penny Invitational

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS SWIM AND DIVE

Florida swimming and diving hosts final home meet of season

By Sean Doty | Jan. 20, 2016

As Florida’s swimming and diving team prepares to host its final home meet of the season against Auburn’s No. 7 ranked men’s team and No. 10 ranked women’s team, Gators head coach Gregg Troy is focused on shaving some seconds off this weekend.

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.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Men's tennis opens season with dominant victories

By Dylan Dixon | Jan. 18, 2016

Florida men’s tennis coach Bryan Shelton and his team can finally move on from the disappointing loss they suffered to Pepperdine in the first round of last season’s NCAA tournament.

The Florida women's tennis team huddles prior to its win against Maryland on Jan. 24, 2015, at the Ring Tennis Complex.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Gators find success, miss finals in Spring season opener

By Jake Dreilinger | Jan. 18, 2016

The No. 3 Florida women’s tennis team traveled to Las Vegas over the weekend to participate in the 14th annual Freeman Memorial Women’s Tennis Championships at the Fertitta Tennis Complex.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Defensive backs coach not returning to Florida

By IAN COHEN | Jan. 15, 2016

Florida’s defensive backs coach Kirk Callahan will not be returning to the Gators next year.

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's JJ Schwarz bats during Florida's win against Florida Atlantic in the 2015 NCAA Regionals.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Florida baseball returns talented infield for 2016 season

By Luis Torres | Jan. 14, 2016

The Florida baseball team lost two key infielders from last year’s team that made it to the College World Series.

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.

Aleshia Ocasio pitches during Florida's win against Illinois State on Feb. 21, 2015, at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Gators softball team looking to fill void left by Lauren Haeger

By Matt Brannon | Jan. 13, 2016

With the loss of Florida phenom Lauren Haeger to National Pro Fastpitch, UF’s softball team will need to bolster its pitching department. Haeger, the 2015 USA Softball National Collegiate Player of the Year threw a jaw-dropping 222.1 innings last season, more than all other pitchers on the team combined.