Sports | Basketball - The Independent Florida Alligator

Florida guard Jaterra Bonds (10) gets past Auburn defender Tyrese Tanner, right, in the second half of the Gators' 70-60 win Thursday in the first round of the women's Southeastern Conference Tournament.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida drops Auburn; top-seed Kentucky awaits

By JOE MORGAN | Mar. 1, 2012

Florida can finally start talking about Kentucky.

Florida freshman Brad Beal (23) said a series of mistakes and a lack of awareness allowed Vanderbilt to exploit the Gators’ defense for a season-high 12 made 3-pointers on Tuesday night.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators’ 3-point defense not showing up for critical games

By JOHN BOOTHE | Feb. 29, 2012

NASHVILLE -- By the time John Jenkins hit his game-high sixth 3-pointer, Brad Beal was willing to place the Vanderbilt guard in the same breath as his favorite NBA player.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida women's basketball concentrating solely on Auburn, SEC Tournament

By JOE MORGAN | Feb. 29, 2012

The Gators’ postseason forecast remains unclear, so they’re not planning too far ahead.

After complaining about effort following a loss to UGA, coach Billy Donovan said he was impressed with UF’s resiliency in Tuesday’s 77-67 loss at Vanderbilt.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Vandy seniors prove too much for Florida

By JOHN BOOTHE | Feb. 28, 2012

NASHVILLE — The Gators came into Nashville, Tenn., knowing the senior-laden Commodores were starving for an emotional lift in their final home game of the season.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Improved Svete providing spark for UF women's basketball

By JOE MORGAN | Feb. 28, 2012

Lily Svete does not have the statistics of a typical 6-foot-2 forward.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Minus Yeguete, Florida changing up strategy for Vanderbilt

By JOHN BOOTHE | Feb. 27, 2012

In Florida’s last meeting with Vanderbilt, Billy Donovan decided to wait before throwing his full-court press at the Commodores, allowing both teams to enjoy nearly three opening minutes of clean, turnover-free basketball.

Florida junior forward Jennifer George notched her SEC-leading 14th double-double against Tennessee with 11 points and 11 boards.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

George embracing leadership role

By JOE MORGAN | Feb. 27, 2012

As the second-leading rebounder in the Southeastern Conference, Jennifer George has not faced many individual opponents she could not handle.

Coach Billy Donovan said he was disappointed with Erving Walker’s effort and leadership during Florida’s 76-62 loss at Georgia on Saturday.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

UF dumbfounded by lack of energy at Georgia

By JOHN BOOTHE | Feb. 26, 2012

On a weekend when the Southeastern Conference crowned Kentucky as its regular season champion, Billy Donovan wondered aloud in a back hallway of Georgia’s Stegeman Coliseum if his team noticed it still had something to play for.

Florida forward Jennifer George (32) recorded her SEC-leading 14th double-double in Sunday’s 75-59 loss to Tennessee, but it wasn’t enough as Vols forward Glory Johnson (25) scored 21 to propel UT.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida drops season finale, chance for quality win at Tennessee

By JOE MORGAN | Feb. 26, 2012

Florida had one final chance to boost its NCAA Tournament resume against No. 10 Tennessee on Sunday.

Georgia guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (1) shoots past Florida guard Bradley Beal (23) during the second half of Georgia's 76-62 win on Saturday.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Poor 3-point shooting sinks UF in loss to Georgia

By JOHN BOOTHE | Feb. 25, 2012

ATHENS, Ga. — After Florida lost Will Yeguete to a season-ending injury, Billy Donovan said he had a new vision of how his team would play in its last three regular season games heading into March.

Florida senior guard Jordan Jones scored 18 points on 6-of-12 shooting from three in Thursday’s 79-45 win against Mississippi State

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Jones, Gators dominate Bulldogs at home

By JOE MORGAN | Feb. 23, 2012

Jordan Jones has finally returned to form.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida scrambling to find Yeguete replacements

By JOHN BOOTHE | Feb. 22, 2012

Before he knew Will Yeguete’s left foot was indeed broken, Billy Donovan rattled through the list of backup point guards and little-used substitutes he could call on to replace Florida’s injured power forward.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL