Sports | Basketball - The Independent Florida Alligator

UF basketball manager Bennett Andersen leaps for the jump ball against UGA's managers on Thursday, Feb. 10 at the Florida Basketball Practice Complex.

SPORTS | BASKETBALL

College basketball’s manager-only league is the sport’s newest tradition

By Jackson Castellano | Feb. 18, 2022

Nestled inside the walls of the Gators basketball practice facility, things begin to warm up on the night of Feb. 8. Clad in various Gator gear, five equipment managers from the UF men’s and women’s basketball teams conduct their pregame warmup. The student managers typically dedicate their time to UF class or serving the needs of their teams. A night like this is their time to take over the court.

Nina Rickards drives into the lane during a Feb 12, 2021 game against Kentucky. The Gators wore their pink uniforms Thursday night.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida outlasts Arkansas for astounding 20th win of the season

By Caleb Wiegandt | Feb. 17, 2022

Emanuely de Oliveira shined with 15 points as No. 17 Florida survived Arkansas for their 20th win. She’s excited to play a part in Florida’s surprise of a comeback season. “That’s what we looked forward [to] since I got here,” Oliveira said.

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.

SPORTS | BASKETBALL

Florida fails to complete last-minute comeback versus Aggies

By Jesse Richardson | Feb. 15, 2022

Forward Colin Castleton recorded 15 points and 15 rebounds as they slip to Texas A&M. “I hate to lose. It really drives me crazy. Like I really didn't care what I was doing. There's a lot of things I could have done better."

Kelly Rae Finley during the Gators' 84-59 win against Tennessee Feb. 3

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Keep Kelly Rae Finley? SEC coaches think Stricklin’s move is obvious

By Caleb Wiegandt | Feb. 15, 2022

“I’ve been asked a few times what’s the difference. Kelly Rae Finley is the difference.” Georgia coaches don’t say that about Florida peers often, but that’s what Joni Taylor said about the Gators’ run through the SEC this year. She’s not alone.

Florida's Jordyn Merritt pictured driving with the ball during a Feb. 15, 2021 game against Kentucky.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

No. 17 Florida captures road victory against Tigers, 83-77

By Brenda Bogle | Feb. 15, 2022

“I was really pleased with our ability to learn throughout this game, to make adjustments and to play on the road in a heated environment,” interim head coach Kelly Rae Finley said.

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

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

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 Nina Rickards pictured during a Feb. 15 game against Kentucky. Rickards scored seven points and grabbed five rebounds in 35 minutes of action Thursday.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators triumph in a slugfest, beat Mississippi State

By Caleb Wiegandt | Feb. 11, 2022

No. 19 Florida looked a little shaky in their first game as a ranked team in over 5 years.

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

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

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.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

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.

Florida's Kiara Smith during a game against Alabama on Feb. 18, 2021. Smith will not compete with the team in the NCAA Tournament due to a season-ending injury.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida notches latest signature win, stomps No. 7 Tennessee

By Caleb Wiegandt | Feb. 3, 2022

“We don’t need validation from anybody,” said sophomore Jordyn Merritt. That’s the message as of late around Florida women’s hoops. It’s the mantra that gave the Gators a rout over No. 7 Tennessee, only the fifth win in series history. From @CalebWiegandt

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

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

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.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators fall to No. 1 South Carolina, 62-50

By Brenda Bogle | Jan. 30, 2022

Aliyah Boston's 13 points and 19 rebounds helped South Carolina hand the Gators their third loss in SEC play.

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

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

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.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

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.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

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.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

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.

Florida's Kiara Smith pictured during a Feb. 28, 2021 game against Georgia. The senior scored 23 points and dished out eight assists in UF's upset victory over LSU Sunday.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators continue historic run with hard-fought upset of No. 11 LSU

By Caleb Wiegandt | Jan. 23, 2022

Florida earned its fifth straight SEC win by upsetting No. 11 LSU in Exactech Arena.

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.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

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

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

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.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

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.