Sports | Men's Basketball - The Independent Florida Alligator

Florida guard Kasey Hill drives the ball against Alabama forward Jimmie Taylor during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators escape Tuscaloosa with sixth straight win

By Ray Boone | Jan. 10, 2017

It was all too close in Coleman Coliseum.

UF coach Mike White talks with guard KeVaughn Allen during Florida’s 77-63 win against Georgia on Jan.2, 2016, in the O’Connell Center.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

White: KeVaughn Allen doesn't understand how good he is

By Matt Brannon | Jan. 9, 2017

KeVaughn Allen didn’t even know he won SEC Player of the Week.

Florida center John Egbunu (15) fouls Tennessee forward Grant Williams (2) on this shot attempt during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Gainesville, Fla., Saturday, Jan. 7, 2017. (AP Photo/Ron Irby)

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

UF struggling to fill center position with Egbunu injured

By Ray Boone | Jan. 8, 2017

On Saturday night in the O’Connell Center, sophomore guard KeVaughn Allen and senior forward Justin Leon reigned.

Florida's John Egbunu (15) reacts after drawing his fifth foul during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Florida in the Southeastern Conference tournament in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, March 11, 2016. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Despite win, Egbunu struggling for Gators

By Ray Boone | Jan. 7, 2017

Something’s not right with John Egbunu, and how it will be fixed is unknown.

Florida guard Canyon Barry (24) drives to the basket over Belmont forward Amanze Egekeze (32) and guard Dylan Windler (3) in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Tampa, Fla., on Monday, Nov/ 21, 2016. (Andres Leiva/Tampa Bay Times via AP)

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators earn come-from-behind win over Tennessee

By Matt Brannon | Jan. 7, 2017

Dropping passes and dribbling balls off their feet, No. 24 Florida’s high-energy offense looked frantic in the first half on Saturday.

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

UF men's basketball team beats Ole Miss in SEC home-opener

By Ray Boone | Jan. 3, 2017

The Gators dominated the entire night.

KeVaughn Allen dunks during Florida's 94-71 win over the University of Arkansas at Little Rock at the O'Connell Center on Dec. 21, 2016.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Behind Allen and Robinson, Florida opens SEC play with win at Arkansas

By Ray Boone | Dec. 29, 2016

Dusty Hannahs knew the three-pointer was good as soon as the ball left his hands.

Florida forward Devin Robinson fights for a shot against Florida Gulf Coast forward Antravious Simmons during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Friday Nov. 11, 2016, in Jacksonville, Fla. (Bob Mack/The Florida Times-Union via AP)

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Barry, Robinson lead Gators past Charlotte

By Matt Brannon | Dec. 17, 2016

Charlotte’s players call themselves the 49ers but looked more like ditch diggers on Saturday, burying themselves under a 26-point first-half deficit. And after a tough loss to FSU, Florida took its frustration out on Charlotte, 87-46, in Sunrise, Florida.

Florida's Kasey Hill, center, tries to drive between Texas A&M's Tavario Miller, left, and DJ Hogg, right, during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the Southeastern Conference tournament in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, March 11, 2016. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Bacon’s 24 points fries Florida, Gators fall to FSU on the road

By Ray Boone | Dec. 11, 2016

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — With the seconds melting off the clock in Florida’s battle with in-state rival Florida State, UF center John Egbunu heaved a three-pointer from the left wing.

Florida guard Kasey Hill drives to the basket as Florida Gulf Coast forward Kevin Mickle defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Friday Nov. 11, 2016, in Jacksonville, Fla. (Bob Mack/The Florida Times-Union via AP)

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Second-half struggles becoming a trend for Florida

By Matt Brannon | Dec. 11, 2016

TALLAHASSEE — Florida’s 83-78 loss to Florida State on Sunday unveiled an illuminating trend to coach Mike White.

UF guard KeVaughn Allen attempts a layup during Florida's 61-55 loss to Alabama on Feb. 13, 2016, in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida can’t stop Kennard as No. 21 Gators lose to No. 5 Duke

By Matt Brannon | Dec. 6, 2016

Florida coach Mike White watched No. 5 Duke seize the lead with a 15-3 run going into halftime.

Florida coach Mike White calls out instructions to his team during Florida's 88-79 loss to Kentucky on March 1, 2016, in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

No. 21 Florida vs. No. 5 Duke will be family reunion

By Ray Boone | Dec. 5, 2016

He was just a toddler at the time, but that didn’t stop Mike White from taking it to his father, Kevin, on the basketball court.

Chris Chiozza dribbles the ball during Florida's 88-79 loss to Kentucky on March 1, 2016, in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida men’s basketball demolishes UNF on road

By Ray Boone | Dec. 1, 2016

Opening the second half of Thursday night’s matchup in Jacksonville, the Gators held a firm 20-point lead over North Florida.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Hill, newly ranked UF basketball team looking to improve

By Matt Brannon | Nov. 30, 2016

On Monday, the No. 24 Gators cracked the top 25 in The Associated Press Poll for the first time since 2014.

Dallas Mavericks' Dorian Finney-Smith (10) takes a shot over Orlando Magic's Serge Ibaka, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Nov. 19, 2016, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators in the NBA: Finney-Smith getting early-season opportunity as rookie

By Skyler Lebron | Nov. 28, 2016

As many NBA teams have started to find their groove through the first quarter of the 2016-2017 season, the Dallas Mavericks have struggled to even keep five healthy players on the court.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators finish strong, top Miami in Orlando

By Matt Brannon | Nov. 27, 2016

After an agonizing loss against No. 11 Gonzaga on Friday, Florida found itself on the wrong end of a 9-0 Miami run to start the second half on Sunday.

Florida forward Devin Robinson (1) goes up for a shot in front of Gonzaga forward Zach Collins (32) and forward Killian Tillie (33) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., Friday, Nov. 25, 2016. Gonzaga won 77-72.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators falter in second half, lose to No. 11 Gonzaga

By Ray Boone | Nov. 26, 2016

With his team in the midst of a second-half rally, Gonzaga forward Johnathan Williams received a no-look pass from teammate Nigel Williams-Goss. The 6-foot-9 Williams gathered the pass, crushed the rim with a left-handed jam and let out a thunderous roar as he galloped back down the court.

Seton Hall forward Ismael Sanogo, left, and Florida guard KeVaughn Allen (5) reach for the ball during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., Thursday, Nov. 24, 2016. Florida won 81-76. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Allen, Gators earn fifth-straight win

By Ray Boone | Nov. 25, 2016

Seton Hall forward Desi Rodriguez rocketed down the court with the seconds dripping off the clock.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Barry leads Florida basketball past Belmont

By Matt Brannon | Nov. 21, 2016

Even with his Hall of Fame father in attendance, Canyon Barry didn’t start the game.

Devin Robinson looks to shoot during Florida's win against Ole Miss on Feb. 9, 2016, in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators looking to defend three-point line vs. Belmont

By Matt Brannon | Nov. 20, 2016

With less than two minutes left against St. Bonaventure, the Gators had seen their 15-point lead evaporate as the Bonnies tied the game with a three-point play.