Sports | Men's Basketball - The Independent Florida Alligator

Scottie Wilbekin calls out a play during Florida’s 62-52 win against Dayton on Saturday in FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn. Wilbekin was in the locker room with a high ankle sprain when Connecticut guard Shabazz Napier hit his buzzer-beater shot to top Florida 65-64 on Dec. 2.

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They meet again: UF and UConn face off in Final Four matchup

By LANDON WATNICK< | Apr. 3, 2014

UConn point guard Shabazz Napier was on a mission.

Billy Donovan looks down the court during Florida’s 62-52 win against Dayton on Saturday in FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.

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Donovan’s patience pays dividends throughout career

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN< | Apr. 3, 2014

Billy Donovan was not sent from heaven to coach Florida’s basketball team. He is no miracle worker, magic healer or instant fix. On Saturday, he and the No. 1 seeded Gators will appear in their fourth Final Four in 14 seasons, but it took years for Donovan to turn water into wine.

UConn guard Shabazz Napier hoists the East Regional trophy after his team’s 60-54 win against Michigan State on Sunday in New York.

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UF gearing for UConn guard Napier

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN< | Apr. 2, 2014

Shabazz Napier has more All-Conference First-Team selections than Scottie Wilbekin. He has more career points than Patric Young and Will Yeguete combined. He had more minutes on the court in just his freshman year than Casey Prather had in nearly three years of action.

Connecticut forward DeAndre Daniels (2) dunks against Michigan State on Sunday in Madison Square Garden in New York.

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Huskies forward Daniels thriving in NCAA Tournament

By LANDON WATNICK< | Apr. 2, 2014

When people talk about Connecticut, the attention generally focuses on Shabazz Napier — the Huskies’ leading scorer and one of the most dynamic talents in the nation. But another player on UConn coach Kevin Ollie’s roster has stepped up in a big way for his team in the postseason.

Billy Donovan looks on during Florida’s 79-68 win against UCLA on Thursday in FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn. Donovan will coach in his fourth Final Four when Florida faces UConn on Saturday night in Arlington, Texas.

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Donovan keeping players calm as they enter Final Four

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Mar. 31, 2014

Billy Donovan has seen his team accomplish a lot this season.

Scottie Wilbekin calls out a play to his teammates during Florida’s 62-52 win against Dayton on Saturday in FedExForum. Wilbekin was named the Most Outstanding Player of the South Region of the NCAA Tournament after the Gators defeated the Flyers.

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Wilbekin provides leadership to Final Four-bound Gators

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN< | Mar. 30, 2014

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — All eyes were on Scottie Wilbekin as the clock ticked.

Patric Young prepares to shoot during Florida’s 62-52 win against Dayton on Saturday in FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.

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Florida defense key in victory

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Mar. 30, 2014

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — No. 1 seed Florida’s defense looked as stout as ever heading into halftime against No. 11 seed Dayton on Saturday.

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)