Sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

Florida forward Dorian Finney-Smith (10) shoots against Kentucky center Dakari Johnson (44) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarter final round of the Southeastern Conference tournament, Friday, March 13, 2015, in Nashville, Tenn.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Dorian Finney-Smith returning to UF

By GRAHAM HALL | Apr. 2, 2015

Dorian Finney-Smith didn’t want to leave Florida early.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Baseball lineup rounding out as UF faces Missouri

By IAN COHEN | Apr. 2, 2015

When Kevin O’Sullivan pieced together Florida’s opening day lineup, it looked formidable.

UF coach Rhonda Faehn (left) celebrates with Bridget Sloan during the 2015 Southeastern Conference Championships on March 21 in Duluth, Georgia.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

UF gymnastics heads to West Virginia for NCAA Regionals

By GRAHAM HACK | Apr. 2, 2015

In theory, it’s perform or go home for the Gators from now until the end of the season.

Mollie Stevens (17) runs down the field during UF lacrosse's season-opening loss to UNC on Feb. 7, 2015 at Donald R. Dizney Stadium.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS LACROSSE

Midfielder making strides early in collegiate career

By ALEX MAMINAKIS | Apr. 2, 2015

Young players who make an impact on their team day-in and day-out can be the most valuable ones on the roster. They can also spell out success for years to come.

Hugh Graham Jr. (left) hugs Arman Hall after winning the 4x400m relay during the NCAA Outdoor Championships in Eugene, Ore., on Jun. 8, 2013.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TRACK

Florida track and field begins action at Florida Relays

By Kyle Brutman | Apr. 2, 2015

After more than three months of competing in events on the road, the No. 2 Florida men’s and women’s track and field teams will stay put in Gainesville as they host the Pepsi Florida Relays this weekend at the Percy Beard Track.

Brianna Morgan awaits a serve during Florida's 4-0 win against Maryland on Jan. 25 at the Ring Tennis Complex.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Florida tennis teams in action this weekend

By Eneisy Rodriguez | Apr. 2, 2015

The regular season is wrapping up for the Florida women’s tennis team with just four matches left until the Southeastern Conference Tournament in South Carolina.

Kelly Grassel lines up a shot during the 2015 SunTrust Gator Invitational on UF's Mark Bostick Golf Course.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Women’s golf sophomore out after dislocating elbow in bike accident

By JUSTEN ROSENBERG | Apr. 2, 2015

The No. 21 UF women’s golf team is in Greensboro, North Carolina, this weekend as participants in the Bryan National Collegiate. The tournament will feature four other top-25 teams.

Alex McCalister and Dante Fowler Jr. celebrate an Eagles turnover during the Florida's 65-0 win against Eastern Michigan on Saturday at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Air Jordan: Alex McCalister will shine next year

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Apr. 1, 2015

Before Spring practice began, first-year head coach Jim McElwain said it’s impossible to replace a player of Dante Fowler’s caliber.

Jake McGee walks toward the practice field at Donald R. Dizney Stadium on Monday.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Tight end preparing for final year of college football

By GRAHAM HALL | Apr. 1, 2015

There was a time last season when Jake McGee questioned his decision to come to Florida – albeit briefly.

Lauren Haeger pitches during UF's win against UNF on April 1 at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

UF softball tops UNF in extra innings

By Patrick Pinak | Apr. 1, 2015

The No. 3 Florida softball team had the game in hand.

Ciarra Brewer competes in the triple jump at the Southeastern Conference Outdoor Championships on May 13, 2012.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TRACK

Gators preparing to compete on home track this weekend

By Kyle Brutman | Apr. 1, 2015

Usually, coach Mike Holloway and the No. 2 Florida men’s and women’s track and field teams take their show on the road.

Randy Shannon coaches during practice on Monday at Donald R. Dizney Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Notebook: Inexperienced linebacker showing progress

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Mar. 31, 2015

With only four scholarship linebackers available for Spring practice, coach Randy Shannon is getting a long hard look at each of his players.

Josh Tobias bats during Florida's 14-8 win against Florida State on March 17 at McKethan Stadium.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Florida struggles on offense in loss to Florida State

By IAN COHEN | Mar. 31, 2015

Florida needed more.

Aleshia Ocasio pitches during Florida's 4-1 win against Illinois State on Feb. 21 at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Notebook: Freshman pitcher giving up late home runs

By Patrick Pinak | Mar. 31, 2015

Before the seventh inning of Sunday’s game against Mississippi State, the Gators looked like they were going to fly home from Starkville on the brooms they were going to sweep the Bulldogs with.

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

UF softball returns home for midweek against UNF

By Luis Torres | Mar. 31, 2015

With a schedule that’s been so jam packed with games throughout the season, the Florida softball team finds itself with only one day to prepare for its next game: a midweek matchup against in-state opponent UNF.

Atlanta Hawks' Al Horford (15) pulls down a rebound over Milwaukee Bucks' Ersan Ilyasova (7) and Michael Carter-Williams (5) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, March 30, 2015, in Atlanta.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Gators in the NBA: UF to be well-represented when NBA playoffs commence

By GRAHAM HALL | Mar. 31, 2015

Those anticipating a basketball letdown following NCAA’s March Madness can look to the professionals for relief.

Sophomore Karolina Vlckova high fives coach Emily Glaser during the final round of the 2015 SunTrust Gator Invitational on March 8.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

UF women’s golf eyeing continued success following first win of season

By JUSTEN ROSENBERG | Mar. 31, 2015

The Gators women’s golf team will look to carry over last week’s first-place finish at the Briar’s Creek Invitational, as they compete in the Bryan National Collegiate tournament this weekend in Greensboro, North Carolina.

Treon Harris drops back to pass during practice on Monday.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

McElwain frustrated at lack of commitment at practice

By Luis Torres | Mar. 30, 2015

Harrison Bader rounds first base after hitting an RBI triple in the first inning of Florida's 14-8 win against Florida State on Tuesday at McKethan Stadium.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Florida expecting physical play from Florida State

By IAN COHEN | Mar. 30, 2015

Florida’s Danny Young, racing after a ball bouncing down the first base line, didn’t intend to collide with FSU’s D.J. Stewart.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Randy Shannon making most of limited linebackers group

By MORGAN MORIARTY | Mar. 30, 2015

New co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Randy Shannon knew Florida did not have its best practice on Monday.