Sports | Men's Basketball - The Independent Florida Alligator

Will Yeguete jumps on teammate Patric Young's back in celebration following Florida's 62-52 win against Dayton on Saturday in FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tenn.

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FINALLY: Florida handles Dayton 62-52 to reach first Final Four since 2007

By LANDON WATNICK< | Mar. 29, 2014

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — As Scottie Wilbekin dribbled out the final seconds remaining on the clock, Patric Young held his head in disbelief while Will Yeguete embraced him. At the same time, Casey Prather yelled a cry of joy, bolting to the floor and then chest-bumping teammate Dorian Finney-Smith.

Kasey Hill looks to pass the ball during Florida's 79-68 win over UCLA on Thursday in the FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tenn. Hill recorded a game-high 10 assists against the Bruins.

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Florida bench to play key role in Elite Eight against Dayton

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Mar. 28, 2014

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Heading into its Sweet 16 matchup against UCLA on Thursday in Memphis, Tenn., Florida’s bench struggled to contribute consistently during the early part of the postseason.

(From left) UF coach Billy Donovan and Gators starters Michael Frazier II, Casey Prather, Scottie Wilbekin, Will Yeguete and Patric Young speak during Florida’s Elite Eight media session on Friday in the FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tenn.

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Florida looking to avoid upset against deep Dayton squad in Elite Eight

By LANDON WATNICK< | Mar. 28, 2014

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Billy Donovan and the Gators know a thing or two about shattering glass slippers.

Billy Donovan looks onto the court during Florida’s 71-66 win against Auburn on Feb. 19 in the O’Connell Center. Donovan and the Gators will play the Bruins tonight at 9:45 p.m. in Memphis, Tenn.

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UF hopes history repeats against UCLA

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN< | Mar. 26, 2014

During the heyday of the Florida Gators basketball program, coach Billy Donovan strung together 18 straight postseason wins — the most in the NCAA since John Wooden’s UCLA squad conquered 28 in a row en route to seven consecutive championships back in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

UCLA’s Kyle Anderson (5) touches hands with a fan after defeating Stephen F. Austin 77-60 in a third-round game of the NCAA Tournament on Sunday night in San Diego.

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UCLA point forward poses threat to UF

By LANDON WATNICK< | Mar. 25, 2014

When UCLA’s Kyle Anderson takes the ball down the court, he usually towers over his primary defender.

Billy Donovan reviews team plays during the second half of Florida’s 61-45 win against Pittsburgh on Saturday during the 2014 NCAA Tournament. The victory advanced the Gators will face UCLA on Thursday

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Gators comforted by versatile team going to Sweet 16

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN< | Mar. 24, 2014

When Jabari Parker, Andrew Wiggins and Doug McDermott failed, the rest of their teammates suffered the consequences. Duke, Kansas and Creighton were all favored heavily in their NCAA Tournament matchups, but each one stumbled in the Round of 32 after their stars underperformed in the spotlight.

Michael Frazier II drives the ball during Florida’s 61-45 win against Pittsburgh during the 2014 NCAA Tournament.

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Frazier struggles to hit three-pointers in first two tourney games

By LANDON WATNICK< | Mar. 23, 2014

ORLANDO — The rims in the Amway Center were not Michael Frazier II’s best friends last weekend.

Scottie Wilbekin drives the lane Saturday in Florida's 61-45 victory over Pitt.

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Wilbekin propels Florida past Pitt for Sweet 16 appearance

By LANDON WATNICK< | Mar. 22, 2014

ORLANDO — After Scottie Wilbekin failed to impress throughout his team’s lackluster win against No. 16 seed Albany on Thursday, the senior point guard took it as a personal challenge to elevate his game.

Patric Young, who finished with a season-high four blocks, guards Pitt's Josh Newkirk during Florida's 61-45 victory on Saturday.

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Frontcourt propels Gators in win over Pitt

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN< | Mar. 22, 2014

ORLANDO — In a game where he scored just seven points, missed eight of his 11 shots and went to the free-throw line only twice, Patric Young still found a way to be a dominant force for the Gators.

Kasey Hill drives down the court during Florida’s 67-55 win against Albany in the in the Amway Center in Orlando on Thursday. Hill scored 10 points in the second-round game of the NCAA Tournament against the Great Danes.

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Florida survives Albany onslaught, advances to third round

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN< | Mar. 20, 2014

ORLANDO — With the game tied at 39 with just more than 14 minutes to play, Florida was faced with the daunting possibility of becoming the first No. 1 seed to lose to a No. 16 seed in NCAA Tournament history.

Scottie Wilbekin drives down the court during UF’s 67-55 win against Albany on Thursday in Orlando.

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Close game disappoints Florida guards

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN< | Mar. 20, 2014

ORLANDO — Sitting at their lockers a foot apart from one another, Scottie Wilbekin and Michael Frazier II had the same look of dejection on their face.

Scottie Wilbekin prepares to shoot during Florida’s 61-60 win against Kentucky on March 16 in the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.

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A New Hope

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN< | Mar. 19, 2014

Today, No. 1 seed Florida will begin what Joakim Noah once called the “purest form of sports:” the NCAA Tournament.

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Preview of Orlando bracket

By LANDON WATNICK< | Mar. 19, 2014

No. 1 seed Florida (32-2, 18-0 SEC)

Dorian Finney-Smith (right) guards Kentucky's Julius Randle during the Gators' 61-60 win against the Wildcats on March 16 in the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.

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Free throws challenge Gators

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN< | Mar. 18, 2014

From its 26-game winning streak to its undefeated Southeastern Conference record, Florida has knocked down barriers and accomplished feats no other team has ever done.

The Southeastern Conference Tournament final pitted the Gators and Wildcats against one another for the third time in the 2013-2014 season.
With just more than 11 minutes on the clock and down by 15, the Wildcats proceeded to go on a 21-7 run to cut the Gators’ lead to 61-60 with 1:31 left in the game.
After Scottie Wilbekin and Dorian Finney-Smith each missed free throws with fewer than 30 seconds to go, UK had a chance to jump ahead and capture the SEC Tournament on the final possession.
However, when James Young had an open lane, he slipped and lost possession of the ball to secure Florida’s first SEC Tournament championship since 2007.

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Gators survive last-minute free-throw woes to win SEC Tourney

By LANDON WATNICK< | Mar. 16, 2014

ATLANTA — Standing at the free-throw line on the front end of a one-and-one with 23 seconds on the clock and Florida ahead of Kentucky 61-60, Scottie Wilbekin took three dribbles, bent down and released his shot.

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Wilbekin finds redemption, is named tournament MVP

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN< | Mar. 16, 2014

ATLANTA – When Scottie Wilbekin slumped down in his chair in the dimly lit press-conference room located in the bowels of the Jacksonville Memorial Arena on Nov. 25, he did not look like a winner.

Patric Young attempts a free throw during Florida’s 61-60 win against Kentucky on Sunday in the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.

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Florida awarded No. 1 overall seed

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Mar. 16, 2014

ATLANTA — After the confetti fell and the nets were cut, Florida learned its spot in the NCAA Tournament.

Scottie Wilbekin guards Tennesse guard Jordan McRae during the Gators' 56-49 win against the Volunteers on Saturday in the Georgia Dome.

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Wilbekin's leadership carries Gators down the stretch

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Mar. 15, 2014

ATLANTA — After scoring a team-high 13 points in the first half of Florida’s semifinal matchup with Tennessee, Scottie Wilbekin was almost nonexistent in the second half in terms of point production.

Patric Young (right) boxes out Tennessee's Jarnell Stokes during the Gators' 56-49 win against the Volunteers in the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.

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Gators amp up intensity in second half to edge past Vols

By LANDON WATNICK< | Mar. 15, 2014

ATLANTA — With the first half in the books and Florida trailing 35-28 against Tennessee, coach Billy Donovan harped on one message during his halftime speech.

Scottie Wilbekin attempts a layup during Florida's 72-49 win against Missouri on Friday in the Georgia Dome. The senior point guard scored 15 points against the Tigers.

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Wilbekin, Florida use barrage of three-pointers to handle Missouri in SEC Tournament

By LANDON WATNICK< | Mar. 14, 2014

ATLANTA — Before No. 1 seed Florida cruised past eighth-seeded Missouri 72-49 on Friday in the Southeastern Conference Tournament quarterfinals, it had struggled for almost 30 minutes to pull away.