Opinion: Columns - The Independent Florida Alligator

In just his second season, UF men's basketball coach Mike White elevated a team that made the NIT tournament a year prior into one of the country’s top contenders.

Sports

Column: With Mike White’s mentality, No. 8 Gators are bound to be better in 2017-18

By Matt Brannon | Nov. 1, 2017

The other day, someone I know and respect made a solid argument that the No. 8 Gators’ men’s basketball team wouldn’t live up to expectations in 2017-18. This particular critic of Florida basketball said the Gators have lost too many quality players and haven’t added enough replacements to reach the Elite Eight for the second year in a row.

UF head coach Mike White looks on during Florida's 72-62 loss to Vanderbilt in the Southeastern Conference Tournament on March 10, 2017, in Nashville, Tennessee.

Sports

Column: Don’t expect another Elite Eight from Gators men’s basketball team this season

By Dylan Dixon | Oct. 31, 2017

Florida men’s basketball coach Mike White is a realist.

Opinion

Journalism is struggling, it’s time to help

Oct. 31, 2017

I see you clearing your cookies on your computer to get 10 more free articles for the Sun Sentinel or The Washington Post without having to pay their monthly subscription, and for a while I was like you. I get it, you don’t have the money to pay $5 a month for news, so you cheat the system. It makes sense, but you’re hurting the very institution that you count on for reliable news, and it’s time we started supporting newspapers. They need us.

Opinion

Mental health needs to be a top priority for colleges

Oct. 31, 2017

Counseling and mental health services are a top priority at UF and need to be part of continued conversations nationally within higher education and beyond.

Opinion

It’s time to take a stand against the statue vandals

Oct. 31, 2017

Over the past several months, Americans across the country have taken it upon themselves to destroy, deface and rewrite American history with the removal of historical statues and monuments. Virtually unchallenged, this small segment of the public has attempted to bully fair-minded citizens into accepting a new American reality: one without our Founding Fathers.

Georgia quarterback Jake Fromm (11) throws a pass against Florida in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2017, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Sports

Column: A way too early prediction of the College Football Playoff

By Jake Dreilinger | Oct. 30, 2017

Let me start off by saying I am no college football expert. I just watch games and form opinions based on what I see, like any other fan of the sport. With that being said, there are less than five weeks left until the field of the College Football Playoff is announced. Here are my picks for which teams will fill those four spots.

Jim McElwain walks off the field after Florida's 42-7 loss to Georgia on Saturday at EverBank Field in Jacksonville. On Sunday, it was confirmed that McElwain and the UAA mutually agreed to part ways.

Sports

Column: A look at the biggest accomplishments, biggest failures of McElwain’s tenure

By IAN COHEN | Oct. 29, 2017

Jim McElwain is out as Florida’s football coach. What were some of his best and worst moments during his time at UF? Let’s take a look:

Opinion

We have power across generations

Oct. 29, 2017

Over the past few days, I have seen multiple articles detailing the lives of middle school students who chose to end their lives by killing themselves. Suicide is always tragic. Suicide should always draw our attention and ignite a desire for action and change. When those who choose to end their lives are not even teenagers yet, it can capture our attention in a particularly intense way.

Opinion

Speak out against unjust organizations

Oct. 29, 2017

“If you see something, say something.” This slogan can apply to suspicious activity monitored by the Department of Homeland Security, but it should also apply to our everyday interactions.

Opinion

Keep it local and support Gainesville businesses

Oct. 29, 2017

Last week, I went to a show at High Dive featuring two Florida-native bands: The Hails and Surfer Blood. This was not my first High Dive show, nor will it be my last. Not only is it a blast to hear great live music, but it’s also awesome to give your love and support to local businesses, especially the art and culture hubs around Gainesville.

UF coach Jim McElwain addresses the media with his arms folded after Florida's 42-7 loss to Georgia on Saturday at EverBank Field in Jacksonville.

Sports

Column: I get why Jim McElwain should go. But remember he’s human, too

By Ethan Bauer | Oct. 28, 2017

JACKSONVILLE — I felt something on Saturday I’ve never felt before when listening to Jim McElwain speak. It was some combination of pity, sadness or, really, any emotion other than frustration, which I’ve felt plenty with McElwain in the past.

Eight Gators beat writers pick eight college football games against the spread.

Sports

Picks Column Week 9: Hate Mail Edition

Oct. 27, 2017

What a week it’s been for Florida football coach Jim McElwain.

Sacramento Kings guard Buddy Hield, right, hits the ball out of the hands of New Orleans Pelicans forward DeMarcus Cousins, center, as Kings center Willie Cauley-Stein defends during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Oct. 26, 2017, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

Sports

Column: Taking the time to appreciate some good ol’ NBA dumpster fires

By Skyler Lebron | Oct. 26, 2017

The 2017-18 NBA season is now well underway, and already we’re witnessing some great things. Rookies across the league are having profound impacts, and several conference powerhouses are coming to form as they work through the growing pains of the early season.

Opinion

Can we please stop hanging out in the library for fun?

Oct. 26, 2017

Earlier this week, I was studying. I was in the library, where most people are when they study, and I found a perfect little table in the basement of Marston Science Library. It was nearing hour three of my study venture, and I was making decent progress. I brought snacks to tide me over and filled my water bottle. I had an arsenal of colored pens, my notebook, my hard copy of the textbook at my disposal. Last but not least, I had the most important part of any study session — my ear buds.

Opinion

Sexual assault education at UF falls short when needed the most

Oct. 26, 2017

Jane Doe (Jane Doe is not the actual name of the victim, but is used in place of it to ensure her safety) draws her third cigarette from the box of Marlboro cigarettes on the table between us. The box looks light.

Opinion

You don’t always need to know your next move

Oct. 26, 2017

This sign I have had ever since I was a child. The sign is a voice which comes to me and always forbids me to do something which I am going to do, but never commands me to do anything.”

UF coach Jim McElwain watches on during UF's Orange and Blue Debut on April 7, 2017, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Sports

Column: Anti-drinking game rules for Florida-Georgia

By Matt Brannon | Oct. 26, 2017

Substance abuse. Parking lot fights. Port-a-potties as far as the nose can smell. No, it isn’t graduation at Florida State, it’s the Florida-Georgia game.

Shortly after the news conference ended, the University Athletic Association then stepped into the fray, releasing a statement that didn’t exactly stand behind the leader of its football program. “The University Athletic Association takes the safety of our student-athletes, coaches, staff and families very seriously. Our administration met with Coach McElwain this afternoon and he offered no additional details.”

Sports

Column: How legitimate is UF coach Jim McElwain's claim about death threats?

By Dylan Dixon | Oct. 24, 2017

I’ve always been someone who tries to give people the benefit of the doubt.

Opinion

Why should we pay for people’s abortions?

Oct. 24, 2017

I read an article the other day on several interesting cases that could make their way to the Supreme Court in the coming months. One in particular caught my eye: Garza v. Hargan. This case involves a 17-year-old illegal immigrant, referred to as Jane Doe in court documents, who is currently detained in Texas. She arrived in the U.S. pregnant, and has since demanded an abortion.

Opinion

We all deserve a break sometimes

Oct. 24, 2017

This semester I’ve found myself running. Running, not in the “late for class” kind of way, but more so running through this semester and through these next two months to graduation. Some of you, regardless of whether you’re graduating or not, might also feel this way.