Sports | Basketball - The Independent Florida Alligator

Baylor guard Manu Lecomte (20) goes up for a shot in front of Southern California forward Chimezie Metu (4) and guard De'Anthony Melton (22) during the second half of a second-round game in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament in Tulsa, Okla., Sunday, March 19, 2017. Baylor won 82-78. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

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Column: Re-seeding the NCAA Tournament's Sweet 16

By IAN COHEN | Mar. 20, 2017

Ahh, March Madness.

UF forward Devin Robinson guards a Virginia player during Florida's 65-39 win against the Cavaliers in the NCAA Tournament on Saturday in Orlando.

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Florida rocking a Final Four defense ahead of Sweet 16

By Matt Brannon | Mar. 19, 2017

The Gators basketball team is riding a wave of momentum back to the Sweet Sixteen for the first time in three seasons. For that, Florida fans can thank the Gators defense, which put on a truly absurd display of dominance in No. 4 seed UF’s 65-39 win over No. 5 seed Virginia on Saturday in Orlando.

UF players and coaches celebrate during Florida's 65-39 win against Virginia in the NCAA Tournament on Saturday in Orlando.

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‘Anything can happen’: UF advances to Sweet 16

By IAN COHEN | Mar. 19, 2017

Twenty minutes after the game ended, Kasey Hill sat in front of his locker, still wearing orange and blue.

UF forward Devin Robinson walks off the court during Florida's 65-39 win against Virginia in the NCAA Tournament on Saturday in Orlando.

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Robinson could lead Florida deep into the NCAA Tournament

By Ray Boone | Mar. 18, 2017

ORLANDO — With five minutes left in the game, Chris Chiozza rifled a pass to Devin Robinson on the right wing.

Florida forwards Justin Leon and Devin Robinson (left) smile during a press conference following the Gators' 65-39 win against Virginia in the NCAA Tournament on Saturday in Orlando, Florida.

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Florida blows out Virginia to punch Sweet Sixteen ticket

By Matt Brannon | Mar. 18, 2017

Kasey Hill has never smiled so wide after shooting an air ball.

Florida head coach Mike White looks on during a practice session for the NCAA March Madness Tournament at the Amway Center in Orlando, Fla. on Wednesday, March 15, 2017. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel via AP)

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Column: No matter what happens, UF’s season was a success

By IAN COHEN | Mar. 16, 2017

ORLANDO — It was fairly obvious on Thursday, even as the final seconds ticked off the clock, and even as the game’s outcome wasn’t in question.

Florida forward Kevarrius Hayes (13) blocks a shot by East Tennessee State forward Tevin Glass (40) during the second half of the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Thursday, March 16, 2017 in Orlando, Fla. Florida defeated ETSU 80-65. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

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UF center Kevarrius Hayes was ‘made for March Madness’

By Matt Brannon | Mar. 16, 2017

ORLANDO — In the first possession of his first NCAA Tournament game, Kevarrius Hayes lost the ball under the rim.

Florida forward Devin Robinson dunks the ball during the second half of the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament against East Tennessee State, Thursday, March 16, 2017 in Orlando, Fla. Florida defeated ETSU 80-65. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

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Robinson, Chiozza lead Gators in first round win over ETSU

By Ray Boone | Mar. 16, 2017

ORLANDO — Before the Gators set foot on the court at the Amway Center for their first NCAA Tournament action in two years, Mike White turned on the locker room’s TV.

UF forward Justin Leon walks on the court during Florida's 93-54 win against Missouri on Feb. 2, 2017, in the O'Connell Center.

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Like his mom, Florida forward Justin Leon took the hard road

By Matt Brannon | Mar. 15, 2017

Before Justin Leon takes the court, before he slips on his No. 23 jersey, before the arena doors open and Florida basketball fans flood in, his mom is awake in Arkansas.

UF head coach Amanda Butler looks on during Florida's 84-75 loss to Ole Miss on Feb. 6, 2017, in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Firing Butler was a tough call, but the correct one

By Ethan Bauer | Mar. 14, 2017

I had been planning a column calling on UF athletics director Scott Stricklin to fire women’s basketball coach Amanda Butler for weeks. I was waiting until after the season ended — presumably with an early exit in the SEC Tournament — to write it. It was actually supposed to run in place of this column, but then it didn't need to.

Kentucky head coach John Calipari yells to his players in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Arkansas for the championship of the Southeastern Conference tournament Sunday, March 12, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. Kentucky won 82-65. (AP Photo/Sanford Myers)

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Column: March Madness is both fun and complicated

By IAN COHEN | Mar. 13, 2017

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Minutes after defeating Georgia to advance to the SEC semifinals, Kentucky coach John Calipari was asked a question.

UF guard Chris Chiozza answers questions following Florida's 72-62 loss to Vanderbilt in the Southeastern Conference Tournament on March 10, 2017, in Nashville, Tennessee.

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Column: ‘So, you guys got beat pretty bad, huh?’: Interviewing after losses

By Matt Brannon | Mar. 13, 2017

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Gators held the world’s saddest pizza party in a solemn locker room after being bounced from the SEC Tournament in their first game.

Kentucky players celebrate after the Wildcats won the Southeastern Conference Tournament on March 12, 2017, in Nashville, Tennessee.

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Despite conference title win, Kentucky has competition in the SEC

By Ray Boone | Mar. 13, 2017

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — It was all hugs and smiles.

UF head coach Mike White looks on during Florida's 72-62 loss to Vanderbilt in the Southeastern Conference Tournament on March 10, 2017, in Nashville, Tennessee.

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Gators awarded No. 4 seed in NCAA tourney despite losing momentum

By Matt Brannon | Mar. 13, 2017

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — After an abrupt exit from the SEC Tournament, Florida will enter March Madness as a No. 4 seed in the NCAA Tournament.

UF head coach Mike White expresses frustration during Florida's 72-62 loss to Vanderbilt in the Southeastern Conference Tournament on March 10, 2017, in Nashville, Tennessee.

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Column: Someway, somehow, Vandy has Florida’s number

By Ray Boone | Mar. 10, 2017

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — In a sea of sulking players and buzzing reporters, Mike White sat alone.

UF guard Kasey Hill lies on the court during Florida's 72-62 loss to Vanderbilt in the Southeastern Conference Tournament on March 10, 2017, in Nashville, Tennessee.

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‘We didn’t deserve to win’: UF loses first SEC Tournament game to Vanderbilt

By Matt Brannon | Mar. 10, 2017

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — With 9.7 seconds left, Kasey Hill darted down the court. The Gators had just erased an eight-point deficit in the final minutes, and now with the game tied, their point guard could complete the comeback.

Former UF women's basketball coach Amanda Butler looks on during Florida's loss to Ole Miss on Feb. 6 in the O'Connell Center. Butler was fired on Monday.

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UF fires women's basketball coach Amanda Butler

By Dylan Dixon | Mar. 6, 2017

After nearly a decade at the helm of Florida women’s basketball, Amanda Butler’s days in Gainesville have come to a close.

UF guard Kasey Hill attempts a layup in Florida's 78-65 win over Arkansas on Wednesday at the O'Connell Center.

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'It burns': No. 12 Gators lose to Vanderbilt, again

By Ray Boone | Mar. 4, 2017

Kasey Hill dribbled the ball quickly down the court as the seconds ticked away.

UF forward Keith Stone blocks a shot during Florida's 68-66 loss to Vanderbilt on Jan. 21, 2017, in the O'Connell Center.

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Column: Stone’s play against Arkansas was a reassuring sign

By Ray Boone | Mar. 2, 2017

Keith Stone stood in the right corner as Canyon Barry drove toward the basket.

UF forward Ronni Williams attempts a layup during Florida's 84-75 loss to Ole Miss on Feb. 6, 2017, in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Women’s basketball season ends with a whimper against Texas A&M

By Dylan Dixon | Mar. 2, 2017

Cruising down the floor of Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina, Ronni Williams charged towards the basket with the ball in her hands before coming to a screeching halt at the free-throw line.