Sports | Basketball - The Independent Florida Alligator

Jaterra Bonds looks to pass the ball during Florida’s 81-76 loss against Missouri on Feb. 20 in the O’Connell Center. UF will start the NCAA Tournament against Dayton on Sunday.

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UF looks for NCAA redemption

By GORDON STREISAND< | Mar. 19, 2014

A momentary sense of relief washed over the Gators on Monday night.

Dorian Finney-Smith (right) guards Kentucky's Julius Randle during the Gators' 61-60 win against the Wildcats on March 16 in the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.

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Free throws challenge Gators

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN< | Mar. 18, 2014

From its 26-game winning streak to its undefeated Southeastern Conference record, Florida has knocked down barriers and accomplished feats no other team has ever done.

Cassie Peoples drives down the court during Florida’s 81-76 loss to Missouri on Feb. 20 in the O’Connell Center.

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Gators get berth in Tournament

By GORDON STREISAND< | Mar. 17, 2014

After a quick two-game stretch in as many days at this year’s Southeastern Conference Tournament, the Gators got some much needed time off heading into the NCAA Tournament.

The Southeastern Conference Tournament final pitted the Gators and Wildcats against one another for the third time in the 2013-2014 season.
With just more than 11 minutes on the clock and down by 15, the Wildcats proceeded to go on a 21-7 run to cut the Gators’ lead to 61-60 with 1:31 left in the game.
After Scottie Wilbekin and Dorian Finney-Smith each missed free throws with fewer than 30 seconds to go, UK had a chance to jump ahead and capture the SEC Tournament on the final possession.
However, when James Young had an open lane, he slipped and lost possession of the ball to secure Florida’s first SEC Tournament championship since 2007.

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Gators survive last-minute free-throw woes to win SEC Tourney

By LANDON WATNICK< | Mar. 16, 2014

ATLANTA — Standing at the free-throw line on the front end of a one-and-one with 23 seconds on the clock and Florida ahead of Kentucky 61-60, Scottie Wilbekin took three dribbles, bent down and released his shot.

Scottie Wilbekin prepares to shoot during Florida’s 61-60 win against Kentucky on March 16 in the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.

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Wilbekin finds redemption, is named tournament MVP

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN< | Mar. 16, 2014

ATLANTA – When Scottie Wilbekin slumped down in his chair in the dimly lit press-conference room located in the bowels of the Jacksonville Memorial Arena on Nov. 25, he did not look like a winner.

Patric Young attempts a free throw during Florida’s 61-60 win against Kentucky on Sunday in the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.

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Florida awarded No. 1 overall seed

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Mar. 16, 2014

ATLANTA — After the confetti fell and the nets were cut, Florida learned its spot in the NCAA Tournament.

Scottie Wilbekin guards Tennesse guard Jordan McRae during the Gators' 56-49 win against the Volunteers on Saturday in the Georgia Dome.

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Wilbekin's leadership carries Gators down the stretch

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Mar. 15, 2014

ATLANTA — After scoring a team-high 13 points in the first half of Florida’s semifinal matchup with Tennessee, Scottie Wilbekin was almost nonexistent in the second half in terms of point production.

Patric Young (right) boxes out Tennessee's Jarnell Stokes during the Gators' 56-49 win against the Volunteers in the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.

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Gators amp up intensity in second half to edge past Vols

By LANDON WATNICK< | Mar. 15, 2014

ATLANTA — With the first half in the books and Florida trailing 35-28 against Tennessee, coach Billy Donovan harped on one message during his halftime speech.

Scottie Wilbekin attempts a layup during Florida's 72-49 win against Missouri on Friday in the Georgia Dome. The senior point guard scored 15 points against the Tigers.

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Wilbekin, Florida use barrage of three-pointers to handle Missouri in SEC Tournament

By LANDON WATNICK< | Mar. 14, 2014

ATLANTA — Before No. 1 seed Florida cruised past eighth-seeded Missouri 72-49 on Friday in the Southeastern Conference Tournament quarterfinals, it had struggled for almost 30 minutes to pull away.

Patric Young defends during Florida’s 84-65 victory against Kentucky on Saturday in the O’Connell Center. Young and UF start Southeastern Confererence Tournament play against Mizzou today at 1 p.m.

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Top-seeded Florida begins SEC Tournament against Missouri

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN< | Mar. 13, 2014

The last time Florida faced off against Missouri, Chris Walker was getting cheers for just walking to the scorer’s table, Dorian Finney-Smith had just begun the worst shooting month of his career and the Gators were only halfway through their historic Southeastern Conference run.

Dorian Finney-Smith fakes out Kentucky’s Julius Randle during UF’s 84-65 win against UK on Saturday in the O’Connell Center.

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Finney-Smith looking for redemption

By LANDON WATNICK< | Mar. 13, 2014

For Dorian Finney-Smith, Atlanta brings back plenty of unpleasant memories.

Scottie Wilbekin drives down the court during Florida’s 84-65 win against Kentucky on Saturday in the O’Connell Center.

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Gators rack up SEC awards after perfect league slate

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN< | Mar. 11, 2014

The Gators finished their best regular season in school history on Saturday, and on Tuesday, they received the hardware to prove it.

Scottie Wilbekin cuts down the net after Florida’s 84-65 win against Kentucky on Saturday in the O’Connell Center.

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Gators tear down nets after perfect conference season

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN< | Mar. 9, 2014

On Feb. 21, 2007, the Gators cut down the nets in the O’Connell Center to celebrate their Southeastern Conference title despite having three more regular season games on the schedule.

Cassie Peoples drives to the net during Florida’s loss to Missouri on Feb. 20 in the O’Connell Center. Peoples averaged 8.9 points per game at the SEC Tournament.

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Florida falls to Kentucky in conference tournament

By GORDON STREISAND< | Mar. 9, 2014

After two games in as many days, fifth-seeded Florida was bounced from the Southeastern Conference Tournament by No. 12 Kentucky on Friday following a strong showing against Mississippi State on Thursday.

Scottie Wilbekin, Casey Prather, Patric Young and Will Yeguete huddle together after Florida’s 84-65 win against Kentucky on Saturday in the O’Connell Center. The Gators are the first team to finish their Southeastern Conference regular-season schedule 18-0.

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Florida defeats Kentucky to close out perfect SEC season

By LANDON WATNICK< | Mar. 8, 2014

After No. 1 Florida sealed an 84-65 win against No. 25 Kentucky in the O’Connell Center on Saturday, senior forward Will Yeguete hoisted a sign that read “18-0 and more to go.”

Kayla Lewis drives toward the net during Florida’s win against Georgia on Jan. 19 in the O’Connell Center.

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Florida knocked out of SEC Tournament

By GORDON STREISAND< | Mar. 8, 2014

On Friday, the third time was the charm for Kentucky.

Jaterra Bonds looks for an opening during Florida’s 68-62 loss against Georgia on Jan. 19 in the O’Connell Center.

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Florida survives opening game of tournament, faces Kentucky next

By GORDON STREISAND< | Mar. 6, 2014

A well-rounded effort on Thursday afternoon propelled Florida to a 71-67 win over Mississippi State in its first game of the Southeastern Conference tournament.

Michael Frazier II attempts a layup during Florida’s 69-36 win against Texas A&M on Feb. 1 in the O’Connell Center.

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Frazier sets school record in 26-point thumping of South Carolina

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Mar. 5, 2014

Michael Frazier II had a career day as he carried the Gators on offense Tuesday night.

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Florida falls short on Senior Day

By GORDON STREISAND< | Mar. 2, 2014

Despite a valiant effort against a physically superior team, Florida came up short on Senior Day in Gainesville against No. 17 Texas A&M, 83-72.

Dorian Finney-Smith scans the court during Florida's 79-61 win against LSU on Saturday in the O'Connell Center. Finney-Smith scored a team-high 16 points in the Gators' win over the Tigers.

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Three-point shots secure record-breaking victory

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN< | Mar. 1, 2014

No. 1 Florida earned a school-record 27th win on the season Saturday night with a 79-61 victory over LSU in the O’Connell Center.