sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

January Miller drives into the lane during Florida's 72-58 win against Arkansas on Sunday in the O'Connell Center.

Sports

Florida women’s basketball set to open season on the road against Temple

By Ethan Bauer | Nov. 12, 2015

UF will open the 2015-16 women’s basketball season hoping to get lucky on Friday the 13th.

Jimmy Clark races during the 2013 Mountain Dew Invitational.

Sports

Florida seeking success at NCAA regionals

By Alejandro López | Nov. 12, 2015

Heading into Friday’s NCAA South Regional Championship, the University of Florida’s men’s and women’s cross country teams may have some ground to make up.

UF safety Marcus Maye attempts to tackle Georgia quarterback Faton Bauta (10) during Florida's 27-3 win against the Bulldogs on Oct. 31, 2015, at EverBank Field in Jacksonville.

Sports

Florida safety Marcus Maye showing unselfish mentality

By Luis Torres | Nov. 11, 2015

Marcus Maye’s season began watching Florida beat New Mexico State 61-13 on Sept. 5 from the sidelines, forced to sit out the season-opener because of a violation of team rules.

South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier points to fans as he walks off the field after South Carolina's 42-35 loss to Auburn on Oct. 25 in Auburn, Alabama.

Sports

Scouting the South Carolina Gamecocks

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Nov. 11, 2015

The No. 11 Florida Gators (8-1, 6-1 Southeastern Conference) travel to Columbia, South Carolina, to face the South Carolina Gamecocks (3-6, 1-6 SEC) in both teams’ final conference game of the year. The Gators already clinched the SEC East and are now focused on running the table for a potential College Football Playoff berth. The Gamecocks are on the outside looking in for the postseason, needing to win their final three games to become bowl eligible. Here’s a look at South Carolina’s season to this point and what the Gamecocks bring to the game:

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

Inconsistent UF swimming and diving teams improve against South Carolina

By Lauren Staff | Nov. 11, 2015

The story up to this point in the season for Florida’s swimming and diving teams has been their lack of consistency.

UF coach Becky Burleigh celebrates with her team follow a 4-0 win against Arkansas on Oct. 25, 2015, at Donald R. Dizney Stadium.

Sports

Florida soccer to host NCAA opener

By Ryan Summers | Nov. 9, 2015

After securing the program’s 11th Southeastern Conference Tournament title, the No. 6 Florida soccer team claimed a No. 2 seed for the 2015 NCAA Tournament.

UF football coach Jim McElwain receives the game ball following Florida's 9-7 win against Vanderbilt on Nov. 7, 2015, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Sports

Despite clinching SEC East, Gators aim to maintain intensity

By Luis Torres | Nov. 9, 2015

Fresh off of clinching the Southeastern Conference Eastern Division for the first time since 2009, Florida’s next matchup is against a team that is currently trying to find its identity: South Carolina.

Alejandro Tosti putts during the 2015 SunTrust Gator Invitational on Feb. 14.

Sports

With conclusion of Fall season, Gators men’s golf turns focus to Spring

By Matt Brannon | Nov. 9, 2015

The Fall season may be over, but No. 9 Florida is already looking to get back into the swing of things for Spring.

Rhamat Alhassan swings for a kill attempt during Florida's 3-0 win against Texas A&M on Oct. 9, 2015, in the O'Connell Center

Sports

UF volleyball focused on improving careless play

By Brian Lee | Nov. 9, 2015

It took 25 years for the Auburn volleyball team to finally beat the Gators under coach Mary Wise.

UF women's basketball coach Amanda Butler Gator Chomps after being introduced at Gators Madness on Oct. 2, 2015, in the O'Connell Center.

Sports

Gators women’s basketball hoping new assistant coaches improve recruiting

By Ethan Bauer | Nov. 9, 2015

After last year’s uninspiring 13-17 record — the worst in Amanda Butler’s tenure as head coach — the UF women’s basketball program needed a change.

UF's Eddie Garcia (157) leads the pack during the Mountain Dew Invitational on Sept. 19, 2015, at the Mark Bostick Golf Course.

Sports

UF cross country hoping deep roster makes impact at NCAA Regionals

By Alejandro López | Nov. 9, 2015

"Forget the (other) teams."

UF's Austin Hardin kicks the game-winning field goal during the fourth quarter of Florida's 9-7 win against Vanderbilt on Nov. 7, 2015, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Sports

Kicker steps up, locks UF into SEC Championship

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Nov. 8, 2015

With less than two-and-a-half minutes left to play on Saturday and No. 10 Florida trailing Vanderbilt 7-6, UF kicker Austin Hardin trots out to the field.

UF defender Christen Westphal dribbles during Florida's 4-0 win against Arkansas on Oct. 25, 2015, at Donald R. Dizney Stadium.

Sports

Florida soccer team wins SEC Championship

By Kyle Brutman | Nov. 8, 2015

The 2015 Southeastern Conference schedule ended the way it started: a 2-1 result between Texas A&M and Florida.

Sports

Column: Jim McElwain’s point about championship teams is only partially correct

By GRAHAM HACK | Nov. 8, 2015

Minutes after an ugly 9-7 victory over Vanderbilt, a win that clinched a berth in the Southeastern Conference title game for Florida, coach Jim McElwain uttered a phrase that summed up his thoughts on the day — and the season.

UF setter Abby Detering serves during Florida's 3-0 win against Auburn on Oct. 11, 2015, in the O'Connell Center.

Sports

Gators point to service errors for five-set loss to Auburn

By Patrick Pinak | Nov. 8, 2015

Mary Wise had never lost to Auburn — until Sunday.

UF running back Kelvin Taylor (21) and defensive end Alex McCalister (14) celebrate with teammates after clinching the SEC East with its 9-7 win against Vanderbilt on Nov. 7, 2015, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Sports

GEORGIA ON MY MIND: Gators down Commodores, clinch trip to SEC title game in Atlanta

By GRAHAM HALL | Nov. 7, 2015

The Gators found themselves in a similar position – trailing to a seemingly inferior opponent, on Homecoming nonetheless.

UF right-side hitter Alex Holston (3) celebrates during Florida's 3-0 win against St. John's on Sept. 17, 2015, in the O'Connell Center.

Sports

UF earns ninth straight win with sweep of Mississippi State

By Patrick Pinak | Nov. 7, 2015

Alex Holston was clutch Friday night.

UF forward Savannah Jordan takes a shot during Florida's 2-1 win against LSU on Oct. 11, 2015, at James G. Pressly Stadium.

Sports

Gators advance to SEC Tournament final with win over Auburn

By Ryan Summers | Nov. 7, 2015

A set piece goal — the same event that led to Florida’s demise the first time it met Auburn this season — was what clinched the Gators’ victory over the Tigers on Friday.

Florida swimmers line up to begin the men’s open 400-meter individual medley during the Pinch A Penny All Florida Invitational on Sept. 28 in the O’Connell Center.

Sports

Gators see success at South Carolina meet

By Lauren Staff | Nov. 6, 2015

Entering the South Carolina meet, Florida’s swimming and diving teams had a lot to prove.

Will Grier runs onto the field during Florida's 14-9 win against Kentucky on Sept. 19 at Commonwealth Stadium in Lexington, Kentucky. West Virginia announced on April 6, 2016, that Grier was transferring to WVU.

Sports

Will Grier’s suspension fuels conversation on NCAA’s PED’s policy

By Ethan Bauer | Nov. 5, 2015

"So I took an over-the-counter supplement that had something in it."