Sports | Men's Basketball - The Independent Florida Alligator

Freshman guard Kowacie Reeves during a Feb. 27 matchup with Auburn. Reeves propelled the Gators into overtime Thursday with a career-high 21 points.

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Florida lays tournament hopes to rest in overtime loss to Texas A&M

By Jackson Castellano | Mar. 10, 2022

Florida HC Mike White gave a somber speech to the media after Thursday’s loss to Texas A&M, which bounced the Gators from the SEC Tournament and turned their tournament hopes to wash. “A two hour microcosm of the season,” White said. “Ups, downs. Leave everything out on the floor and come up just a little bit short.”

Mike White leads a team huddle Feb. 19. His Gators face the Texas A&M Aggies Thursday in the SEC Tournament.

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The road to redemption goes through Tampa

By Joseph Henry | Mar. 8, 2022

Florida’s SEC Tournament matchup Thursday will be a make-or-break game for the Gators’ Big Dance aspirations.

Keyontae Johnson during a Florida huddle Feb. 19. The senior was is under investigation for a sexual assault, reportedly taking place in February.

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Thsiebwe, Wildcats spoil Florida’s Senior Day

By Joseph Henry | Mar. 5, 2022

Kentucky's Oscar Thsiebwe dominated Florida to the tune of 27 points and 15 rebounds. This marks the second loss to the Wildcat's this season and leaves UF with work to do in the SEC Tournament.

Graduate transfer Phlandrous Fleming Jr. loads up a jump shot against Auburn Feb. 19. Fleming had a clutch block and 3-point make down the stretch Tuesday against Vanderbilt.

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Florida survives in Nashville to grab 19th win

By Jackson Castellano | Mar. 1, 2022

With six seconds remaining, Phlandrous Fleming Jr. launched a three to put Florida ahead of Vanderbilt. “They called the play ‘home run,’” Fleming said. “I was wondering who would go and get it.” Fleming went and got it, and he hit it out of the park.

Colin Castleton has elected to use his fifth year of eligibility to play one more season in Gainesville.

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Castleton scores career-high 29 in loss to Arkansas

By Joseph Henry | Feb. 22, 2022

“We have to be desperate, we have to be urgent now,” said Florida forward Anthony Duruji following Tuesday night’s loss to No. 18 Arkansas. Colin Castleton set a new career-high in points, but it wasn’t enough to take down the Razorbacks.

Florida's Phlandrous Fleming matches up against Florida State's Matthew Cleveland during a Nov. 14 game.

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Florida hoops gets trampled by No. 5 Kentucky, 78-57

By Jesse Richardson | Feb. 12, 2022

Kentucky center Oscar Tshwiebe proved too much for Florida to handle in a 21-point loss to the Wildcats. “He’s probably the best rebounder I’ve ever played against.” Colin Castleton said.

Florida's Myreon Jones dunks during a Dec. 6 game against Texas Southern. The Penn State transfer led the game with 23 points shooting 9-11 from the field

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Florida outlasts Georgia to earn fourth straight win

By Jackson Castellano | Feb. 9, 2022

Florida held strong against UGA despite the ‘Dawgs comeback effort in the closing minutes.

Florida's Colin Castleton takes the ball up the court during a Nov. 14 game against Florida State. Castleton led the Gators in points and minutes played Saturday in a crucial victory over Ole Miss.

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Florida basketball prevails in Castleton’s triumphant return

By Jesse Richardson | Feb. 5, 2022

Florida stole an overtime win thanks to a Tyree Appleby double-double and return of Colin Castleton.

Tyree Appleby paces the ball up the floor against Missouri March 4.

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Florida men’s basketball steals road win in clash with Mizzou

By Jackson Castellano | Feb. 2, 2022

Florida senior Tyree Appleby was all positives after a huge performance in a 66-65 victory over Mizzou that went down to the wire on Wednesday night.

Florida's Tyree Appleby pictured during a Nov. 14 game against Florida State

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Florida completes comeback in the SEC-Big 12 Challenge

By Jackson Castellano | Jan. 29, 2022

“Whatever Mike White said to his team at halftime was a lot better than what I said.” Oklahoma State head coach Mike Boynton gave praise to the Gators after Florida men’s hoops came back from being down 16 in the first half to grab the win. Jackson Castellano has more on Saturday.

Center Jason Jitoboh catches his breath during a pre-season friendly against Embry-Riddle Nov. 1. Jitoboh scored 12 points without a miss in Florida’s loss to Ole Miss Monday night.

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Gators center Jason Jitoboh out for the season

Jan. 28, 2022

Florida men’s hoops loses another frontcourt weapon in center Jason Jitoboh. The junior shot 76% in four starts and tallied four blocks.

Florida's Tyree Appleby holds the ball during a Dec. 6 game against Texas Southern. The point guard scored 16 points and dished out seven assists in a losing effort Wednesday.

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Florida falls late in back-and-forth bout against Tennessee

By Jackson Castellano | Jan. 26, 2022

In a blow for blow matchup against Tennessee that came down to the final possession, UF couldn’t hang on and collected their sixth straight loss in Knoxville.

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Florida basketball falls hard in Oxford

By Jesse Richardson | Jan. 25, 2022

Florida men’s basketball shot 14.3% from long range and gave up 48 points in the second half Monday night to cause their eventual downfall to the Ole Miss Rebels.

Sophomore Jason Jitoboh at last year's game versus LSU. Jitoboh has stepped up in the absence of Colin Castleton, scoring eight points and grabbing 10 rebounds Saturday.

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Gators overpower Vanderbilt in conference victory

By Jackson Castellano | Jan. 22, 2022

White’s squad maintained constant pressure, running away with the game. Florida (12-6, 3-3) defeated Vanderbilt (10-8, 1-5) on Saturday 61-42. The Gators were in control the whole way, never allowing Vandy to take a lead.

Kowacie Reeves defends South Carolina guard Devin Carter in the first half of Florida’s Jan. 15 game against South Carolina

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Kowacie Reeves stays humble through three starts

By Jesse Richardson | Jan. 22, 2022

Reeves impacted the Florida Gators offense from the moment his sneakers stepped foot on the hardwood on Jan. 12.

Mike White has coached Florida men's basketball since 2015, leading the Gators to the NCAA Tournament in each of the last four seasons.

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Q&A: Gator’s men’s hoops through the lens of Bracketology expert

By Jackson Castellano | Jan. 21, 2022

Joe Cook-Shugart of 1-3-1Sports, the eighth-most accurate Bracketology expert according to popular database Bracketmatrix, gives an in-depth look at Florida's chances at the NCAA Tournament.

Forward Anthony Duruji led the Gators with 22 points Wednesday against Mississippi State. Photo courtesy of the SEC Media Portal.

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Anthony Duruji paves the way for the Gators’ second-half comeback

By Jesse Richardson | Jan. 20, 2022

Florida comes back for an eight-point win over Mississippi State despite missing starting forward Colin Castleton.

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Mike White still experimenting with his starting five

By Jesse Richardson | Jan. 19, 2022

Florida head coach Mike White wants to tinker his lineup to find the perfect mix.

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Florida hangs on to pick up first conference victory

By Jackson Castellano | Jan. 15, 2022

The Gators managed to grab an important win away from home against South Carolina.

Florida's Colin Castleton celebrates during a Dec. 8 game against North Florida. The center scored a team-high 19 points against LSU Wednesday.

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LSU edges Florida in the O’Dome, Gators still winless in SEC play

By Jesse Richardson | Jan. 13, 2022

Florida is still winless in SEC play after the No. 12 LSU Tigers survive the Swamp.