Sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

Alfredo Perez returns a ball during Florida's 6-1 win over Troy on Jan. 17, 2016, at the Ring Tennis Complex.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

UF to host ITA tournament

By Mark Stine | Jan. 26, 2017

For the second weekend in a row, the UF men’s tennis team will play two matches.

UF guard Eric Hester talks with coach Mike White during Florida's 94-71 win over the University of Arkansas at Little Rock on Dec. 21, 2016, in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Point guard Eric Hester’s performance against LSU was encouraging sign

By Ray Boone | Jan. 26, 2017

With nearly seven minutes left in the game, Eric Hester stood deep beyond the right wing with the ball in his hands.

UF sprinter Sharrika Barnett sprints at the Hokie Invitational on Jan. 21, 2017, in Blacksburg, Virgina.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TRACK

After nearly quitting track in Jamaica, Barnett shines at UF

By Daniel Smithson | Jan. 26, 2017

Sharrika Barnett was close to quitting track before coming to the United States.

UF gymnast Amelia Hundley celebrates during Florida's win over Kentucky on Jan. 13, 2017, in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

Florida's meet vs Auburn to recognize those affected by cancer

By Lauren Staff | Jan. 26, 2017

Tonight's meet is more than just a battle between No. 3 Florida and No. 16 Auburn in the O’Connell Center.

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

Florida women's basketball falls to Vols

By Dylan Dixon | Jan. 26, 2017

Tennessee may be five years removed from legendary coach Pat Summitt leading its sideline, but nothing has changed when it comes to the Volunteers beating up on the Gators.

UF center John Egbunu celebrates with a teammate during Florida's 80-76 win over Georgia on Jan. 14, 2017, in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators step back from slippery slope

By Matt Brannon | Jan. 26, 2017

Florida’s 35-point blowout win at LSU on Wednesday snapped a losing streak, jazzed the locker room and re-introduced No. 25 UF’s overlooked weapons on offense.

UF safety Keanu Neal prepares to tackle Derrick Henry during the 2015 Southeastern Conference Championship Game

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: UF’s 2015 secondary was one of best of this century

By Patrick Pinak | Jan. 25, 2017

When Fox Sports’ Peter Schrager likened Keanu Neal to the surefire NFL Hall-of-Fame safety Ed Reed last week, it got me thinking.

Amanda Butler calls out instructions during Florida's 92-69 loss to Kentucky at the SEC Tournament on March 4, 2016.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida, depleted by injuries and transfers, trying to stay hot

By Dylan Dixon | Jan. 25, 2017

Amanda Butler has been dealt a bad hand all season.

Florida forward Devin Robinson (1) dunks the ball for two of his game high 24-points as LSU guard Jalyn Patterson (11) and LSU guard Kieran Hayward (5) watch in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2017, in Baton Rouge, La. Florida won 106-71. (AP Photo/Bill Feig)

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida sets three-point record with win over LSU

By IAN COHEN | Jan. 25, 2017

Chris Chiozza searched the sky.

UF head coach Mike White looks on in Florida's 80-76 win against Georgia on Jan. 14, 2017, at the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Despite recent losses, Mike White is everything a college coach should be

By Ethan Bauer | Jan. 24, 2017

Mike White tossed his blue suit jacket to the floor and walked to the center of his team’s huddle before his players had fully assembled. Outsized by all but two of them, the second-year Florida basketball coach wasn’t intimidated.

Alex McMurtry Gator Chomps during her floor exercise routine during the NCAA Gymnastics Super Six on April 16, 2016, in Fort Worth, Texas.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

McMurtry establishing herself as UF's preeminent gymnast

By Lauren Staff | Jan. 24, 2017

Alex McMurtry knew her junior season was going to be different than her first two years in Gainesville.

UF guard Dyandria Anderson dribbles the ball in Florida's 81-62 loss to South Carolina on Jan. 8, 2017, in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Portakal rejuvenating point guard position for UF women's hoops

By Dylan Dixon | Jan. 24, 2017

For the first time in almost two months, Elif Portakal laced up her sneakers, pulled on her uniform and stepped onto a court to play in a women’s college basketball game.

UF guard Canyon Barry attempts a layup in Florida's 94-71 win over The University of Arkansas at Little Rock on Dec. 21 at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators can snap losing streak tonight at LSU

By Matt Brannon | Jan. 24, 2017

The Gators dropped two conference games back-to-back last week. And sluggish, flaccid second-half starts were the problem.

San Francisco 49ers quarterbacks Colin Kaepernick, left, and Blaine Gabbert stand on the sideline during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the Green Bay Packers on Friday, Aug. 26, 2016, in Santa Clara, Calif. Green Bay won 21-10. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: Take yourselves less seriously, sports teams

By IAN COHEN | Jan. 23, 2017

I usually hate these types of columns.

UF coach Mike Holloway smiles as he talks with his team during the 2016 Florida Relays at the Percy Beard Track.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TRACK

Florida trying to improve performance in short sprints

By Daniel Smithson | Jan. 23, 2017

For a track program that once won three straight NCAA Indoor Championships, excellence is going to be expected in all areas of the team.

UF women’s tennis coach Roland Thornqvist smiles during introductions prior to Florida’s win over USF on Jan. 27, 2016, at the Ring Tennis Complex.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Crafting women’s tennis lineup ‘a pleasant problem’

By Spencer Thompson | Jan. 23, 2017

In his 16 years coaching at the University of Florida, Roland Thornqvist has never struggled with choosing his team’s lineup.

UF coach Jenny Rowland applauds her gymnasts during Florida’s win against Alabama on Jan. 29, 2016, in the O’Connell Center.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

Rowland looking to continue winning streak against former team

By Lauren Staff | Jan. 23, 2017

The last time Florida hosted Auburn, UF coach Jenny Rowland was there.

UF freshman Grant Holloway jumps at the Hokie Invitational men's long jump final on Jan. 21, 2017.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TRACK

Holloway leads Florida track team at Hokie Invitational

By Daniel Smithson | Jan. 22, 2017

An emerging Florida freshman found himself at the top twice over the weekend.

Elliott Orkin returns a serve during Florida's 6-1 win over Troy on Jan. 17, 2016, at the Ring Tennis Complex.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

UF men’s tennis dominates in first weekend of season

By Mark Stine | Jan. 22, 2017

The UF men’s tennis team opened up its season on Saturday by battling not only its opponents, but the will of nature.

Haley Lorenzen attempts a layup during Florida's 92-69 loss to Kentucky in the Southeastern Conference Tournament on March 4, 2016, at Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida women’s basketball ends SEC funk

By Dylan Dixon | Jan. 22, 2017

As the final buzzer sounded and the Florida women’s basketball team began to jog off the court, Haley Lorenzen and Dyandria Anderson couldn’t contain their excitement any longer.