Sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

Kytra Hunter performs on the uneven parallel bars during Florida's 197.60-196.950 win against Georgia on Friday in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

Kytra Hunter rallies team together

By GRAHAM HACK | Feb. 2, 2015

Last week, the Gators were motivated.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Crouch leading at Sea Best Invitational

By Luis Torres | Feb. 2, 2015

A.J. Crouch is making a habit of being at the top of the leaderboard.

Dorian Finney-Smith drives into the paint during Florida's 57-56 win against Arkansas on Saturday in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Dorian Finney-Smith getting feedback from his first mentor — his mom

By RICHARD JOHNSON | Feb. 2, 2015

When you’re a player at one of the elite programs in college basketball, everyone’s a critic.

Kayla Lewis dribbles during Florida's 68-52 loss to Missouri on Tursday in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Kayla Lewis revitalizes Florida offense in win over Vanderbilt

By GRAHAM HALL | Feb. 2, 2015

Florida finally got the quality road win it has been searching for.

SPORTS | RECRUITING

Four-star corner Chris Williamson commits to UF

By MORGAN MORIARTY | Feb. 2, 2015

Chris Williamson (6-foot-0, 185 pounds, Gainesville, Ga., Gainesville High), a four-star cornerback announced his commitment to Florida on Monday evening.

SPORTS | RECRUITING

Four-star running back Jordan Scarlett commits to UF

By MORGAN MORIARTY | Feb. 2, 2015

Four-star running back Jordan Scarlett (5-foot-11, 205 pounds, Fort Lauderdale Fla., St. Thomas Aquinas High) announced that he was verbally committed to Florida on Monday evening. Scarlett decommitted from the Miami Hurricanes on Sunday. He was previously committed to the Canes since July.

SPORTS | RECRUITING

Three-star safety flips commitment to Florida

By MORGAN MORIARTY | Feb. 2, 2015

Things are starting to drastically heat up on Florida’s recruiting trail with National Signing Day just two days away.

Junior Natalie Hinds competes in the 100-yard butterfly during Florida's 189.5-110.5 win against Arkansas on Saturday in the O'Connell Center

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS SWIM AND DIVE

UF swimming and diving tops Tennessee

By Mary Francis | Feb. 1, 2015

The No. 7 UF men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams finished their last home dual meet on a high note.

UF men's tennis coach Bryan Shelton walks on the Ring Tennis Complex courts prior to Florida's 5-2 win against North Florida on Jan. 22

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Florida splits weekend against top-five opponents

By CAYLEE UNDERWOOD | Feb. 1, 2015

Florida packed its bags for Athens, Georgia Thursday to hit the road for a weekend against two top 25 teams.

Led by first-year head coach JC Deacon, the Florida men's golf team returned to the NCAA Championship last season. Here's Ryan Summer's story on the occasion (http://www.alligator.org/sports/golf/article_982fe4ae-fdf2-11e4-833b-83c78d3e0d3f.html)

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Florida men’s golf opens Spring season at Sea Best Invitational

By Luis Torres | Feb. 1, 2015

The second chapter of J.C. Deacon’s coaching career is about to begin.

Chris Walker dribbles during Florida's 57-56 win against Arkansas on Saturday in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Chris Walker still progressing, needs to develop work ethic

By GRAHAM HALL | Feb. 1, 2015

The development of Chris Walker may take longer than expected, even if the ceiling is higher than most.

Kayla Lewis attempts a shot during Florida’s 81-76 loss against Missouri on Feb. 20 in the O’Connell Center. Lewis will be the Gators’ only senior on the team’s roster next year.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida women’s basketball tops Vanderbilt on the road

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Feb. 1, 2015

The Florida women’s basketball team overcame a slow start to defeat Vanderbilt 67-58 on Sunday in Nashville, Tennessee.

Marquis Dendy competes at the Southeastern Conference Indoor Championships on Feb. 23, 2013, in Fayetteville, Ark.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TRACK

Dendy wins two events in Arkansas

By Kyle Brutman | Feb. 1, 2015

Marquis Dendy continues to prove why he was named to The Bowerman Trophy Preseason Watch List.

Logan Shore pitches during Florida's 3-2 loss to the College of Charleston on May 30 at McKethan Stadium.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

UF baseball plans to utilize pitching depth in 2015

By IAN COHEN | Feb. 1, 2015

There were two playoff games, and then it was over.

SPORTS | RECRUITING

Defensive end Luke Ancrum commits to Florida

Feb. 1, 2015

Florida’s 2015 recruiting class received its third verbal commitment of the weekend on Sunday afternoon.

New head football coach Jim McElwain speaks at his opening press conference in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | RECRUITING

Offensive lineman Fredrick Johnson commits to Florida

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Jan. 31, 2015

Mere hours after offensive lineman Richerd Desir-Jones announced his verbal commitment to UF on Twitter, the Florida football team received a second commitment on Saturday.

Michael Frazier II attempts the game-winning free throw to give Florida a 57-56 win against Arkansas on Saturday in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Michael Frazier seals Florida’s win over Arkansas with late free throws

By GRAHAM HALL | Jan. 31, 2015

Michael Frazier II just needed to keep shooting.

Dante Fowler Jr hypes up the crowd during Florida's 28-20 win in the Birmingham Bowl against East Carolina on Jan. 3 at Legion Field.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Dante Fowler Jr. training in Pensacola, ready for transition to NFL

By RICHARD JOHNSON | Jan. 31, 2015

Things are different for Dante Fowler Jr. these days. There is no class to go to or Gator Dining training table to eat from. He doesn’t dodge scooters on his way to the facility or answer questions about why Will Muschamp’s job is in jeopardy. Fowler now spends his days fully devoted to training for the thing he’s dreamed about his whole life — a spot on a National Football League roster.

Offensive line coach Mike Summers at a press conference in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | RECRUITING

Recruiting Roundup: Offensive lineman Richerd Desir-Jones commits to UF

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Jan. 31, 2015

Florida offensive line — arguably is thinnest position heading into 2015 — just became one player deeper.

Chris Chiozza drives the ball down the lane during Florida's 57-56 win against Arkansas on Saturday in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Johnson’s Journal: Luck was on Gators’ side in win over Arkansas

By RICHARD JOHNSON | Jan. 31, 2015

It’s very 2015 of me to write, but a Snapchat, of all things defines pretty accurately what happened Saturday in the O’Connell Center during Florida’s 57-56 win over Arkansas.