Sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

UF guard Chris Chiozza drives the lane during Florida's 93-54 win over Missouri on Feb. 2, 2017, in the O'Connell Center. 
93-54

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Chiozza notches triple-double, Gators pummel Mizzou

By Matt Brannon | Feb. 2, 2017

The net didn’t move.

UF forward Ronni Williams dribbles the ball during Florida's 84-75 loss to Tennessee on Jan. 26, 2017, in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Behind Williams, Gators looking to stay hot against TAMU

By Dylan Dixon | Feb. 1, 2017

Shimmy Gray-Miller still gets angry when she watches film of Florida’s last game against Texas A&M.

Florida forward Kevarrius Hayes (13) defends as Oklahoma guard Kameron McGusty (20) shoots in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Jan. 28, 2017. Florida won 84-52. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

With Kentucky on the horizon, Gators focused on Missouri

By Ray Boone | Feb. 1, 2017

Mike White doesn’t want to think about the Kentucky Wildcats.

Nick Saban celebrates after winning the SEC Championship on Saturday, Dec. 3, in the Georgia Dome.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: McElwain saved his recruiting class on signing day, but does it really matter?

By Patrick Pinak | Feb. 1, 2017

Jim McElwain walked through a row of screaming fans inside UF’s indoor practice facility while UF’s band blared the school’s fight song throughout the facility.

UF coach Jim McElwain discusses his 2016 recruiting class on Feb. 3, 2016, during a press conference at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Florida football finishes strong on signing day

By Ethan Bauer | Feb. 1, 2017

Jim McElwain strolled into his scheduled press conference 10 minutes late, passing through a tunnel of streamer-waving fans and strutting to the Florida fight song.

Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) shoots against New York Knicks center Kyle O'Quinn (9) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2017, in Washington. The Wizards won 117-101. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Beal Leading Wiz’ to Eastern Conference Prominence

By Skyler Lebron | Jan. 31, 2017

American philosopher and author Norman Vincent Peale once said, “There is a real magic in enthusiasm. It spells the difference between mediocrity and accomplishment.”

Amanda Lorenz bats during Florida's doubleheader sweep of Jacksonville on Feb. 17, 2016, at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Gators softball ready to start season

By Cassie Amundson | Jan. 31, 2017

Every morning, senior Delanie Gourley awakens to a text.

Jim McElwain looks on during Florida's 54-16 loss to Alabama in the SEC Championship Game on Dec. 3, 2016, in Atlanta.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

The absurdity of National Signing Day

By Ethan Bauer | Jan. 31, 2017

When I was in high school, I wanted to be a recruiting reporter. I read recruiting stories daily while I was supposed to be paying attention in class, and National Signing Day was one of my favorite days of the year (seriously).

Tyrie Cleveland (89) runs toward the end zone during Florida's 40-14 win over Missouri on Oct. 15, 2016, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Recruiting notebook: Florida still looking for top-tier talent

By Ethan Bauer | Jan. 31, 2017

A year ago, it was Tyrie Cleveland. The year before that, it was Martez Ivey and CeCe Jefferson. Those were the headliners Jim McElwain managed to snag on signing day in his first two seasons at Florida. With Ivie and Jefferson, it was expected. With Cleveland, it was considered a moderate surprise.

Coach Jim McElwain speaks during a press conference on Aug. 3.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

National Signing Day: Florida’s top targets

Jan. 31, 2017

Jim McElwain is hoping to make major moves. His team’s recruiting class currently ranks 19th in the nation, but he’s hoping to vault up the list with some big commitments today. Here, alligatorSports writers Ethan Bauer, Matt Brannon, Ian Cohen and Patrick Pinak break down some of Florida’s top targets for National Signing Day.

Maria Torres tees off during the 2015 SunTrust Gator Invitational at UF's Mark Bostick Golf Course.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

UF women's golf places first in Florida Challenge

By Morgan McMullen | Jan. 30, 2017

Obscenities and a folding chair with a smiley face on it tossed to the ground pierced the otherwise serene mood of the 17th hole at the Florida Challenge on Monday.

Belinda Woolcock returns a ball during a ball during Florida's win against South Florida on Jan. 27 at the Ring Tennis Complex.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Gators ‘going to give them hell’ in California tournament

By Spencer Thompson | Jan. 30, 2017

As FIU’s Andrea Lazaro let out another chilling shriek, all eyes turned to center court.

UF forward Ronni Williams prepares to shoot a free throw during Florida's 84-75 loss to Tennessee on Jan. 26, 2017, in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

UF women’s basketball team ‘grateful’ for Ronni Williams

By Dylan Dixon | Jan. 30, 2017

Every single day before practice, each member of the Florida women’s basketball team takes a moment to reflect on what they’re thankful for and writes it down on a piece of paper.

Coach Kevin O'Sullivan and the Gators dropped their first home game since March 23 in an 8-4 loss against Jacksonville Tuesday night. “We’ve gotta clean up some mistakes,” O'Sullivan said.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Notebook: Florida’s bullpen one of many uncertainties

By Patrick Pinak | Jan. 30, 2017

Question marks.

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

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

UF women’s golf to open Spring season

By Morgan McMullen | Jan. 29, 2017

After a three-month layoff from their last team tournament, the Gators women’s golf team is finally hitting the links again this afternoon in Lecanto, Florida.

Junior mid-distance runner Andres Arroyo competes in the 800 meters during the Florida Relays on April 1, 2016, at Percy Beard Track.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TRACK

UF track wins five times at Razorback Invitational

By Daniel Smithson | Jan. 29, 2017

The Florida track and field team notched several victories at the Razorback Invitational over the weekend.

UF men's tennis coach Bryan Shelton looks on during Florida's 6-1 win over Troy on Jan. 17, 2016, at the Ring Tennis Complex.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

‘New year… new team’: Gators men’s tennis shines

By Mark Stine | Jan. 29, 2017

The Ring Tennis Complex is becoming a stronghold for the Florida men’s team, as it registered victories over two schools in the ITA Kick-Off Tournament this weekend.

Anna Danilina watches the ball during the 2016 ITA Regional Championships at the Ring Tennis Complex.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Top-ranked women’s tennis dominates in ITA Kick-Off

By Spencer Thompson | Jan. 29, 2017

Entering the season, expectations were high for the Florida women’s tennis team. It held the No. 1 ranking, it was the SEC coaches’ pick to win the conference and its head coach boasted that this was his most talented team in 16 years. But despite the pressure, the Gators are living up to the hype.

UF forward Ronni Williams dribbles the ball during Florida's 102-51 win over Southeastern Louisiana on Dec. 28, 2016, in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Williams' career game leads UF to second SEC win

By Dylan Dixon | Jan. 29, 2017

As Ronni Williams strolled off the court at Memorial Gymnasium for the final time on Sunday afternoon, she was drenched in sweat and breathing heavily.

UF coach Gregg Troy encourages his swimmers during Florida’s meet against Auburn on Jan. 23, 2016, in the O’Connell Center.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS SWIM AND DIVE

Florida swimming splits meet against Tennessee

By Sean Denison | Jan. 28, 2017

For the first time in over a year, Florida’s swimming and diving teams had a home meet at the O’Connell Center.