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March Madness preview: West Region

By GREG LUCA | Mar. 19, 2013

The Favorite: Gonzaga

Junior forward Will Yeguete (15) prepares to shoot a free throw during Florida’s 74-56 win against Wisconsin on Nov. 14 in the O’Connell Center.

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Free-throw shooting proving problematic for Florida

By LANDON WATNICK< | Mar. 18, 2013

As Florida trailed Ole Miss 66-63 with 4.2 seconds left Sunday, point guard Scottie Wilbekin had an opportunity to make the Gators’ uphill battle less difficult.

Junior forward Will Yeguete attempts a layup during Florida’s 66-40 victory against Vanderbilt on March 6 in the O’Connell Center. Yeguete underwent arthroscopic debridement on his right knee Wednesday.

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March Madness preview: East Region

By GREG LUCA< | Mar. 17, 2013

The Favorite: Indiana

Senior guard Kenny Boynton (1) takes it to the basket during Florida’s 66-63 loss to Ole Miss in the SEC Tournament final on March 17 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. Boynton and the Gators have lost in the Elite Eight each of the last two years.

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Gators lose SEC tourney title, earn No. 3 seed

By LANDON WATNICK< | Mar. 17, 2013

After falling 66-63 to Ole Miss on Sunday in the Southeastern Conference Tournament final, Florida will travel to Austin, Texas, for the NCAA Tournament.

Kenny Boynton attempts a shot over the outstretched arm of an Alabama defender. Boynton ranks No. 2 on Florida's all-time scoring list.

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Gators advance to SEC Tournament finals

By LANDON WATNICK< | Mar. 16, 2013

As Florida trailed Alabama 37-27 with 16:05 remaining, Kenny Boynton woke up from a scoreless slump and put No. 13 UF on his back.

Senior forward Erik Murphy (33) attempts a pass during Florida’s 69-52 win against Kentucky on Feb. 12 in the O’Connell Center. The Chicago Bulls selected Murphy 49th overall on Thursday night in the 2013 NBA Draft.

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Florida defeats LSU 80-58 in SEC quarterfinals

By LANDON WATNICK< | Mar. 15, 2013

In UF’s first game of the Southeastern Conference Tournament, Erik Murphy propelled No. 13 Florida to a rout of LSU.

Junior center Patric Young (right) attempts a hook shot during Florida’s 66-40 win against Vanderbilt on March 6 in the O’Connell Center. .

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Florida hoping to regain intensity

By LANDON WATNICK< | Mar. 14, 2013

Forty-six seconds were all coach Billy Donovan could handle.

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Donovan, Gators win SEC awards

Mar. 12, 2013

Florida snagged several of the Southeastern Conference’s top individual honors on Tuesday.

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Ill-timed turnovers plague Gators in close losses

By LANDON WATNICK | Mar. 11, 2013

Although missing shots has hurt the Gators in late-game situations this season, coach Billy Donovan said turnovers played a bigger role in the Gators’ meltdowns against Kentucky on Saturday, Missouri on Feb. 19 and Arizona on Dec. 15.

Junior point guard Scottie Wilbekin drives the lane during Florida’s 66-40 win against Vanderbilt on Wednesday in the O’Connell Center.

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Offensive cold streak dooms UF

By LANDON WATNICK | Mar. 10, 2013

In the heat of Saturday afternoon’s game against Kentucky, Florida went cold.

Forward Erik Murphy passes the ball during Florida’s 77-44 win against Georgia on Jan. 9 in the O’Connell Center. Murphy scored 17 points in Florida's 61-57 loss at Kentucky on Saturday.

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No. 11 Florida falls on road at Kentucky

By LANDON WATNICK | Mar. 9, 2013

After taking a 57-50 lead against Kentucky with 7:36 left, Florida went scoreless for the remainder of the contest.

Senior guard Kenny Boynton walks back to play defense after scoring during Florida’s 69-52 victory against Kentucky on Feb. 12 in the O’Connell Center.

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Gators win outright SEC title with victory against Vanderbilt

Mar. 6, 2013

Despite an inauspicious two-week stretch that saw Florida go just 2-2 and draw the ire of coach Billy Donovan, the Gators took a commanding step closer to their ultimate goal on Wednesday night.

Junior forward Will Yeguete talks with fans following Florida’s 69-52 win against Kentucky on Feb. 12 in the O’Connell Center. Yeguete has been medically cleared to play against Alabama on Saturday at noon.

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Key reserves cleared to return on Saturday

By LANDON WATNICK | Feb. 28, 2013

Despite the Southeastern Conference title race implications on the line in Florida’s home matchup against Alabama on Saturday at noon in the O’Connell Center, coach Billy Donovan is taking a cautious approach with forward Will Yeguete (right knee) and guard Michael Frazier II (concussion).

Freshman DeVon Walker runs down the court during Florida’s 83-52 win against Missouri on Jan. 19 in the O’Connell Center. Walker announced Monday he will return to Florida after asking for his release to transfer on May 6.

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Florida struggles on the boards in loss to Tennessee

By LANDON WATNICK | Feb. 27, 2013

When Tennessee guard Trae Golden dished the ball to Jarnell Stokes on the low block with 8:16 left in the first half, forwards Erik Murphy and DeVon Walker double-teamed the 6-foot-8, 270-pound center.

Trainers help Michael Frazier II (20) off the court after the freshman guard suffered a concussion in UF’s win against Arkansas on Saturday.

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UF tweaking lineup amid injuries

By LANDON WATNICK | Feb. 25, 2013

The Gators’ depth will be tested tonight in Knoxville, Tenn.

Junior center Patric Young dunks during Florida’s 83-52 victory against Missouri on Jan. 19 in the O’Connell Center. Young scored 14 points in Florida's 71-54 victory against Arkansas on Saturday in the O'Connell Center.

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Gators use inside advantage to defeat Arkansas

By LANDON WATNICK | Feb. 23, 2013

Saturday night's contest between Florida and Arkansas was physical, chippy and sloppy in every sense.

Junior guard Scottie Wilbekin attempts a layup during Florida’s 69-52 win against Kentucky on Feb. 12 in the O’Connell Center. Wilbekin said the Gators need to increase their offensive presence in the paint.

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Florida aiming to achieve offensive balance down stretch

By LANDON WATNICK | Feb. 21, 2013

Coach Billy Donovan wants his players to take open shots, regardless of whether their attempts are inside or beyond the arc.

Patric Young attempts a shot during Florida’s 69-52 win against Kentucky on Feb. 12 in the O’Connell Center.

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Frontcourt struggles in defeat

By KATIE AGOSTIN | Feb. 20, 2013

Midway through the first half, center Patric Young set a screen on Missouri’s Earnest Ross for freshman Michael Frazier II.

Coach Billy Donovan instructs his players during Florida’s 69-52 win against Kentucky on Feb. 12 in the O’Connell Center.

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Florida surrenders double-digit lead in road loss to Missouri

By LANDON WATNICK | Feb. 19, 2013

Down by three with 3.1 seconds left, Florida had an opportunity to tie Missouri and send the game into overtime. But guard Mike Rosario’s desperation heave from the left corner couldn’t find the net.

Freshman guard Michael Frazier II (20) reacts after a play during Florida’s 75-36 win against South Carolina on Jan. 30 in the O’Connell Center.

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Florida facing stronger Missouri squad in rematch on road

By KATIE AGOSTIN | Feb. 18, 2013

The last time Florida played Missouri, the game got ugly. UF cruised to an 83-52 blowout on Jan. 19.