sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

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."

UF coach Mary Wise calls out to setter Mackenzie Dagostino during Florida's 3-1 loss to Kentucky on Sept. 27, 2015, in the O'Connell Center.

Sports

UF volleyball peaking heading into weekend matches

By Brian Lee | Nov. 5, 2015

With only seven games left until the postseason, the Gators are playing their best volleyball of the year.

Sports

Picks column: Vanderbilt

Nov. 5, 2015

Site: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium (Cap. 88,548)

UF coach Jim McElwain Gator Chomps after Florida's 27-3 win against Georgia on Oct. 31, 2015, at EverBank Field in Jacksonville.

Sports

Florida welcomes Vanderbilt on Homecoming

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Nov. 5, 2015

As Florida started its final drive against Vanderbilt in 2013, the Gators already knew the outcome.

UF middle blocker Rhamat Alhassan knits before practice on Oct. 21, 2015, in the Lemerand Practice Facility.

Sports

Stitch by Stitch: Unraveling Florida’s Rhamat Alhassan

By Patrick Pinak | Nov. 5, 2015

If you were to judge Rhamat Alhassan just by watching her play volleyball, you’d think she were a mad woman.

Sophomore defensve back Jalen Tabor (31) dances while the Gator Marching Band plays following Florida's 61-13 win against New Mexico State. The win made a new record for most points scored during a UF head coach's first game.

Sports

Gators sophomore cornerback Jalen Tabor exceeding expectations

By GRAHAM HACK | Nov. 4, 2015

Sophomore defensive back Jalen Tabor isn’t shy about where he thinks his standing is in Florida’s secondary.

UF wide receiver Antonio Callaway breaks free for a 66-yard touchdown during Florida's 27-3 win against Georgia on Oct. 31, 2015, at EverBank Field in Jacksonville.

Sports

Three keys for the Gators if they hope to avoid another loss on Homecoming

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Nov. 4, 2015

With a trip to the Southeastern Conference Championship in clear sight, the No. 10 Florida Gators (7-1, 5-1 SEC) host Vanderbilt (3-5, 1-3 SEC) Saturday at noon for a homecoming showdown.

Sophomore Ronni Williams drives down the lane during Florida's 77-42 loss to No. 1 South Carolina on Monday in the O'Connell Center.

Sports

Florida women’s basketball assistant coach using music legend to inspire team

By Ethan Bauer | Nov. 4, 2015

In her first year with the Florida women’s basketball program, assistant coach Shimmy Gray-Miller is turning to an unlikely source to inspire her unit of forwards and centers.

UF midfielder Pamela Begic dribbles the ball while FSU's Elin Jensen (5) approaches during the first half of Florida's 3-2 win against Florida State on Aug. 30, 2015, at James G. Pressly Stadium.

Sports

UF downs Vanderbilt in the second round of the SEC Tournament

By Kyle Brutman | Nov. 4, 2015

Seeking to avoid being ousted in the second round of the Southeastern Conference tournament for the second straight season, the Gators found themselves faced with adversity just minutes into the match.

UF coach Jim McElwain watches on during warm-ups prior to Florida's 27-3 win against Georgia on Oct. 31, 2015, at EverBank Field in Jacksonville.

Sports

Gators emphasize third-down, red zone during Wednesday's practice

By GRAHAM HALL | Nov. 4, 2015

On "Special Treat Wednesday"’, Florida coach Jim McElwain said his team finished practice with a level of focus that was "pretty darn good."

UF soccer coach Becky Burleigh talks with her team following Florida's 2-1 loss to Texas A&M on Sept. 10, 2015, at Donald R. Dizney Stadium.

Sports

Gators to face Vanderbilt in first round of SEC Tournament

By Ryan Summers | Nov. 3, 2015

After winning the regular season Southeastern Conference title last Thursday, the Florida soccer team shifts its focus to postseason play — and a tournament that last season included an early exit for UF.

UF running back Kelvin Taylor rushes during Florida's 27-3 win against Georgia on Oct. 31, 2015, at EverBank Field in Jacksonville.

Sports

Evaluating Florida’s rushing attack through eight games

By Luis Torres | Nov. 3, 2015

Prior to Florida’s 27-3 win against Georgia on Saturday, coach Jim McElwain stressed the importance of getting the running game going during the bye week.

Vanderbilt running back Ralph Webb carries the ball during Vanderbilt's 10-3 win against Missouri on Oct. 24, 2015.

Sports

Scouting the Commodores: A Q&A with the Vanderbilt Hustler’s sports editor

By GRAHAM HALL | Nov. 3, 2015

With No. 10 Florida set to take on Vanderbilt at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, alligatorSports editor Graham Hall reached out to Ben Weinrib, sports editor at the Vanderbilt Hustler, for his thoughts on the Homecoming showdown and who he thinks will win on Saturday.

Sports

UF enters first College Football Playoff ranking at No. 10

By GRAHAM HACK | Nov. 3, 2015

Florida is ranked No. 10 in this season’s first edition of the College Football Playoff rankings, which were released on Tuesday night.

UF coach Jim McElwain roams the sidelines during Florida's 27-3 win against Georgia on Oct. 31, 2015, at EverBank Field in Jacksonville.

Sports

Gators hoping to avoid letdown during Homecoming week

By Luis Torres | Nov. 2, 2015

With Florida riding high following its 27-3 win against Georgia on Saturday, and the prospect of having the chance to clinch a spot in the Southeastern Conference title game this weekend, coach Jim McElwain is preaching one thing to his team this week.

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) drives to the basket between New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) and center Omer Asik (3) in the second half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Saturday, Oct. 31, 2015. The Warriors won 134-120.

Sports

Stephen Curry is most entertaining athlete alive

By IAN COHEN | Nov. 2, 2015

In front of the entrance to the hallway that leads to the players’ locker rooms, Stephen Curry begins every game the same way.

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

Sports

Florida volleyball’s defense dominates in win

By Patrick Pinak | Nov. 2, 2015

Florida’s defense squashed Georgia this weekend — on the volleyball court.

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

Sports

UF women’s basketball eyeing start of season

By Ethan Bauer | Nov. 2, 2015

For coaches, players and media members alike, this point in the Florida women’s basketball preseason can be summed up, however out of context, by one of the most famous rants in sports history.

Sophomore Karolina Vlckova high fives coach Emily Glaser during the final round of the 2015 SunTrust Gator Invitational on March 8.

Sports

UF women’s golf seeks to carry Fall momentum into Spring

By Matt Brannon | Nov. 2, 2015

Coach Emily Glaser said on Monday the Gators can compete with any team in the nation.