Sports | Basketball - The Independent Florida Alligator

From left, Rece Davis, Jay Williams, Seth Greenberg and Jay Bilas broadcast from John Paul Jones Arena during ESPN College GameDay on Jan. 31 in Charlottesville, Virginia.

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College Gameday analyst has connection with UF’s Dorian Finney-Smith

By RICHARD JOHNSON | Feb. 6, 2015

ESPN College Gameday’s Seth Greenberg has experience with Florida’s Dorian Finney-Smith. The Gators most consistent scorer was once a member of Greenberg’s Virginia Tech Hokies team, averaging 6.3 points per game starting in 30 of 33 games and earning Atlantic Coast Conference All-Freshman Team honors in 2012.

Billy Donovan looks down the court during Florida's 57-56 win against Arkansas on Saturday in the O'Connell Center.

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Donovan hopes Florida shows up against No. 1 Kentucky

By GRAHAM HALL | Feb. 5, 2015

Following Florida’s 67-61 loss to a Vanderbilt team that had lost seven straight Southeastern Conference games, Michael Frazier II said that the team "didn’t come out with any passion or energy."

Antoinette Bannister looks to pass the ball during Florida's 84-73 win against Jacksonville in the O'Connell Center.

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Police: Antoinette Bannister charged with second count of credit card fraud

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Feb. 4, 2015

Less than three weeks after being arrested for reportedly stealing a teammate’s credit card in November a former UF women’s basketball player was charged by the University Police Department with a second, earlier count.

Michael Frazier II attempts the game-winning free throw to give Florida a 57-56 win against Arkansas on Saturday in the O'Connell Center.

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Florida fouls out, falls to struggling Vanderbilt on the road

By GRAHAM HALL | Feb. 3, 2015

Facing a Vanderbilt team that had lost seven straight Southeastern Conference games, Florida had an opportunity to capitalize on the Commodores’ woes and earn its third straight victory.

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Florida’s struggles part of the process

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Feb. 2, 2015

Coach Billy Donovan has watched his team struggle more this season than most of his former squads.

Dorian Finney-Smith drives into the paint during Florida's 57-56 win against Arkansas on Saturday in the O'Connell Center.

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Dorian Finney-Smith getting feedback from his first mentor — his mom

By RICHARD JOHNSON | Feb. 2, 2015

When you’re a player at one of the elite programs in college basketball, everyone’s a critic.

Kayla Lewis dribbles during Florida's 68-52 loss to Missouri on Tursday in the O'Connell Center.

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Kayla Lewis revitalizes Florida offense in win over Vanderbilt

By GRAHAM HALL | Feb. 2, 2015

Florida finally got the quality road win it has been searching for.

Chris Walker dribbles during Florida's 57-56 win against Arkansas on Saturday in the O'Connell Center.

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Chris Walker still progressing, needs to develop work ethic

By GRAHAM HALL | Feb. 1, 2015

The development of Chris Walker may take longer than expected, even if the ceiling is higher than most.

Kayla Lewis attempts a shot during Florida’s 81-76 loss against Missouri on Feb. 20 in the O’Connell Center. Lewis will be the Gators’ only senior on the team’s roster next year.

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Florida women’s basketball tops Vanderbilt on the road

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Feb. 1, 2015

The Florida women’s basketball team overcame a slow start to defeat Vanderbilt 67-58 on Sunday in Nashville, Tennessee.

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Michael Frazier seals Florida’s win over Arkansas with late free throws

By GRAHAM HALL | Jan. 31, 2015

Michael Frazier II just needed to keep shooting.

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

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Needles’ scoring effort not enough as Missouri downs Florida

By GRAHAM HALL | Jan. 29, 2015

Florida had a chance to beat a subpar Southeastern Conference opponent on Thursday night.

Arkansas forward Bobby Portis, center, shoots a layup as Tennessee forward Armani Moore, right, guards during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game on Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2015, in Fayetteville, Ark. Arkansas defeated Tennessee 69-64.

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UF basketball playing desperate, hosts Arkansas

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Jan. 29, 2015

Prior to Florida’s 52-50 win against Alabama on Tuesday, shooting guard Michael Frazier II said the Gators were desperate for a win.

Michael Frazier II drives into the paint during Florida's win against Auburn.

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UF made plays when needed in win against Alabama

By ERICA A. HERNANDEZ | Jan. 28, 2015

The Gators sacrificed blood, sweat and tears to scrape out a win against the Alabama Crimson Tide and break a three-game losing streak on Tuesday.

Carlie Needles calls out a play to her teammates during Florida's win against Arkansas.

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Return of Needles, victory over Arkansas encouraging Gators heading into Missouri game

By GRAHAM HALL | Jan. 28, 2015

It has taken awhile, but the Gators women’s basketball team is finally figuring out how to get the most out of what it has.

Dorian Finney-Smith dunks during Florida's 72-47 win against Mississippi State on Saturday in the O'Connell Center.

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Doe-Doe delivers dunk to seal UF win

By ERICA A. HERNANDEZ | Jan. 27, 2015

Dorian Finney-Smith may have scored just one basket Tuesday night against Alabama, but it was the one that counted.

Carlie Needles dribbles the ball down the court during Florida's 77-42 loss to No. 1 South Carolina on Jan. 19 in the O'Connell Center.

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Carlie Needles’ return gives Gators women’s basketball boost in win against Arkansas

By GRAHAM HALL | Jan. 26, 2015

Three weeks of nothing but losses can destroy a team’s confidence.

Junior shooting guard Michael Frazier II drives into the paint during Florida's 61-56 win against Louisiana-Monroe in the O'Connell Center.

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Notebook: Florida’s struggles not due to internal conflict

By RICHARD JOHNSON | Jan. 26, 2015

Billy Donovan is not one to sugarcoat anything.

Billy Donovan looks down the court during Florida's 75-55 win against Auburn on Jan. 15 in the O'Connell Center.

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Troubled UF men’s basketball team to play ‘Bama tonight

By ERICA A. HERNANDEZ | Jan. 26, 2015

After Florida opened up Southeastern Conference play with three straight wins, Eli Carter thought the Gators were alright.

January Miller drives into the lane during Florida's 72-58 win against Arkansas on Sunday in the O'Connell Center.

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January Miller leads Florida women’s basketball to win over Arkansas

By GRAHAM HALL | Jan. 25, 2015

Winless in their last four games, the Florida women’s basketball team received some much-needed rest last week for the program to decompress and recover from the strain of the Southeastern Conference schedule.

Billy Donovan looks down the court during Florida's 72-47 win against Mississippi State on Saturday in the O'Connell Center.

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Billy Donovan not worried about Florida’s three-game losing streak

By ERICA A. HERNANDEZ | Jan. 25, 2015

Florida started Southeastern Conference play with a three-game win streak, but now the Gators own a season-worst three-game losing streak after falling to Ole Miss on the road.