Sports | Basketball - The Independent Florida Alligator

UF point guard Kasey Hill goes up for a layup during Florida's 104-54 win against North Carolina A&T on Nov. 16, 2015, in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida falls short on the road against No. 1 Michigan State

By IAN COHEN | Dec. 12, 2015

What hurt most were the three-pointers.

Devin Robinson shoots a three during Florida's 105-54 win against North Carolina A&T on Nov. 16, 2015, in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida’s men’s basketball faces test in talented Miami team

By ALEX MAMINAKIS | Dec. 7, 2015

With a week off following a 20-point win over Richmond, Florida has taken the time to prepare for its upcoming December schedule.

Haley Lorenzen battles for position in the paint during Florida's 99-34 win against Savannah State on Nov. 24, 2015, in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators women’s basketball comes from behind to defeat Arkansas State

By Ethan Bauer | Dec. 7, 2015

It wasn’t easy, but as it often has this season, the Florida women’s basketball team found a way to win.

UF point guard Carlie Needles drives to the basket during Florida's 99-34 win over Savannah State on Nov. 24, 2015, in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

UF women’s basketball back home to face Arkansas State

By Ethan Bauer | Dec. 6, 2015

Following their matchup with a perennial cellar dweller, the Gators will now face a contest with the cream of the Sun Belt Conference crop.

UF's John Egbunu dunks during Florida's 76-56 win against Richmond on Dec. 1, 2015, in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida men’s basketball squishes Spiders behind dominant first half

By IAN COHEN | Dec. 1, 2015

It began as Brandone Francis-Ramirez drove into the paint, left his feet to spin in mid-air, and dropped a no-look, behind-the-back pass into John Egbunu’s lap.

UF guard Dyandria Anderson drives down the court during Florida's win against Savannah State.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

UF women’s basketball wins sixth straight contest with victory over South Alabama

By Ethan Bauer | Dec. 1, 2015

Florida’s game against South Alabama on Tuesday night was reminiscent of Charles Dickens’ novel “A Tale of Two Cities.”

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Richmond Spiders could be “handful” for Florida men’s basketball

By ALEX MAMINAKIS | Nov. 30, 2015

While Vermont and Florida Gulf Coast, whom Florida defeated Wednesday and Friday respectively, put up solid first half fights, they aren’t exactly offensive juggernauts.

Haley Lorenzen blocks a shot during Florida's win against Jacksonville.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

UF looks to continue winning ways at South Alabama

By Ethan Bauer | Nov. 30, 2015

It must feel pretty good to be a member of the Florida women’s basketball program right now.

Carlie Needles dribbles the ball down the court during Florida's loss to Missouri on Thursday in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida claims Omni Hotels Classic tournament crown

By Ethan Bauer | Nov. 29, 2015

In both 2009 and 2010, current Gator guard Carlie Needles arrived at the Coors Events Center in Boulder, Colorado, with high hopes.

UF center John Egbunu goes up for a dunk during Florida's 89-42 win against Palm Beach Atlantic in an exhibition game on Nov. 5, 2015, in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida uses second half surge to down Florida Gulf Coast

By Luis Torres | Nov. 28, 2015

Playing its fourth game in six days and one game after Thanksgiving, Florida might’ve been feeling the ill effects of the workload during the first half against Florida Gulf Coast.

Sophomore Ronni Williams drives down the lane during Florida's 77-42 loss to No. 1 South Carolina on Monday in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida’s defense dominates Savannah State

By Ethan Bauer | Nov. 24, 2015

Florida may not have gone into Tuesday night’s matchup with Savannah State thinking about vengeance, but that’s exactly what it got.

UF's Ronni Williams shoots during Florida's 82-72 win over Florida State o Nov. 15, 2015, in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators women’s basketball seeks revenge against Savannah State

By Ethan Bauer | Nov. 23, 2015

Despite a lack of name recognition, Savannah State’s women’s basketball team is not to be taken lightly.

Florida forward Dorian Finney-Smith (10) shoots against Kentucky center Dakari Johnson (44) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarter final round of the Southeastern Conference tournament, Friday, March 13, 2015, in Nashville, Tenn.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida men’s basketball handed first loss of the season

By ALEX MAMINAKIS | Nov. 22, 2015

In its second game of a weekend back-to-back, Florida faced its first ranked team of the season and was unable to keep up.

Ronni Williams goes up for a layup during Florida's win against Longwood on Nov. 17.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida rolls past Kennesaw State for second straight win

By Ethan Bauer | Nov. 21, 2015

Following a statement win over then-No. 6 Florida State, the Gators showed no signs of a hangover against a clearly overmatched Kennesaw State team.

UF forward Devin Robinson shoots a three-pointer during the second half of Florida's 104-54 win against North Carolina A&T on Nov. 16, 2015, in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida uses late run to roll past Saint Joseph’s

By IAN COHEN | Nov. 21, 2015

With a little more than a minute remaining, Chris Chiozza dribbled to his right, spun into the paint and passed out to Dorian Finney-Smith.

Chris Chiozza drives the ball into the paint during Florida's 68-61 loss to No. 1 Kentucky on Feb. 7, 2014 in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators men’s basketball looking to ground Hawks in tourney

By ALEX MAMINAKIS | Nov. 19, 2015

While the first two games of the season have resulted in wins for the Gators, they are still just the first two games. Florida defeated Navy on the road by 18 and blew out North Carolina A&T at home by 50, but the competition will only increase in difficulty from here, starting Saturday in Connecticut.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

After win over FSU, UF women’s basketball hopes to avoid hangover

By Ethan Bauer | Nov. 19, 2015

On Monday, UF defeated then-No. 7 Florida State in an 82-72 thriller, it’s biggest win since beating then-No.15 Kentucky on Feb. 9, 2014.

After enduring its first losing season under head coach Amanda Butler, the Gators are now playing one of the best seasons in program history. The Gators finished their non-conference schedule 12-1, highlighted by an upset victory over then-No. 6 Florida State in their home opener. Ethan Bauer has the breakdown for you (http://www.alligator.org/sports/basketball_-_women/article_1912e32e-a1f3-11e5-a1bc-130df0cb9bf1.html)

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Practice squad helping prepare UF women’s basketball

By Ethan Bauer | Nov. 19, 2015

Now four days removed from Florida’s upset win over then-No. 6 Florida State, the credit for the unexpected victory has been shared among many parties.

UF men's basketball coach Mike White smiles after a play during Florida's 104-54 win against North Carolina A&T on Nov. 16, 2015, in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Column: UF men’s basketball will finish higher than projected

By IAN COHEN | Nov. 17, 2015

What strikes you first is their confidence: their faces calm and smiling, even after an offseason of so much upheaval and uncertainty.

UF swingman DeVon Walker shoots a three-pointer during Florida's 104-54 win against North Carolina A&T on Nov. 16, 2015, in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida’s DeVon Walker thriving after injury

By ALEX MAMINAKIS | Nov. 17, 2015

DeVon Walker is grateful to be back on the court.