It might be used as added motivation, or it might just be a painful memory from last season.
When the No. 19 UF women's basketball team (15-2, 1-1 Southeastern Conference) travels to Columbia, S.C., to take on South Carolina (8-7, 0-2 SEC) tonight at 7, they will likely be reminded of what could have been a year ago.
The Gators sat on the NCAA Tournament bubble for much of conference play last season, and each game was as important as the next in determining their chances of making the 64-team field.
On Senior Day, UF's final regular-season home game, South Carolina came to Gainesville and spoiled the ceremony, winning 69-65 in a game UF didn't expect to lose.
The Gators' lone senior and team leader, Depree Bowden, didn't get the exit she wanted, but the loss might have cost her team more.
While losing to the Gamecocks was not the only reason the Gators were left out of the NCAA Tournament, it did not help their cause.
In the end, UF had to settle for a Women's National Invitation Tournament berth and was left wondering whether a win against South Carolina could have made the difference.
The Gators redeemed themselves in the SEC Tournament, defeating the Gamecocks 71-57, but it was too little, too late.
The earlier loss to South Carolina was likely the final dagger in UF's tournament hopes.
"It's hard to forget some things like that, losses that maybe kept us out of the NCAA Tournament, a disappointing senior night for Depree Bowden," UF coach Amanda Butler said. "I hope that maybe they'll get some extra motivation from that."
This time around, both teams will have a different look.
South Carolina has a new coach and is without 3-point shooting threat Jordan Jones, who torched the Gators in their loss last year, shooting 5 of 9 from 3-point range and scoring 16 points to lead the Gamecocks in their upset.
The reason she won't be playing: Jones transferred to UF and is currently sitting out a year due to NCAA transfer rules.
Butler could not be happier knowing Jones is on her side now, but she is also aware that South Carolina is far from a pushover.
"They've played an incredible non-conference schedule, probably one of the toughest non-conference schedules in the country," Butler said. "Their record is in no way an indication of how good they are or how good they can be."
The Gamecocks' two conference losses came at the hands of No. 6 Auburn by 4 points and at Georgia by 6.
UF is coming off their first loss (at Auburn by 16) in 15 games and is looking to rebound by capturing its first SEC road win.
"The biggest part of it is we're going to South Carolina, and they're hungry for their first SEC win," Butler said. "So we're going to have to be ready."
As long as their memory doesn't fail them, the Gators should know not to take any team for granted. Doing so could be costly.
