Sports | Columns - The Independent Florida Alligator

Sophomore Zack Powers is congratulated by teammates at home plate after hitting his second grand slam during Florida’s 16-5 win against Duke on Feb. 17 at McKethan Stadium.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

The Rally: How will baseball fare in SEC?

By ADAM PINCUS< | Mar. 13, 2013

Josh: There’s no shame in what happened to the Gators on Tuesday night. Florida lost to an undefeated rival in No. 5 Florida State. However, what is cause for alarm is the Gators’ performance against much lesser competition. UF lost to North Florida and was swept by Florida Gulf Coast. How are the Gators supposed to turn things around playing teams from one of the nation’s best conferences every weekend if they can’t take care of business against the Atlantic Sun Conference?

Guard Jaterra Bonds drives to the basket during Florida’s 69-58 win against Arkansas on Feb. 28 in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Guard deserves SEC honor

By PHIL HEILMAN< | Mar. 11, 2013

The Southeastern Conference women’s basketball coaches decided one Gator was worthy of representing Florida on this year’s All-SEC team.

Sophomore catcher Taylor Gushue calls out to the mound during Florida’s 4-3 loss to Duke on Feb. 15 at McKethan Stadium.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Slumping Florida baseball team needs to relax, have fun

By ADAM PINCUS | Feb. 27, 2013

Florida’s dugout erupted when Taylor Gushue executed a sacrifice fly to tie the game during the ninth inning of Tuesday night’s 7-6 loss to North Florida.

Center Patric Young wipes his brow with a towel during a timeout in Florida’s 83-52 win against Missouri on Jan. 19 in the O’Connell Center.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Junior center limited by inconsistency, lack of instincts

By GREG LUCA | Feb. 25, 2013

Three years into his Florida career, Patric Young remains an enigma.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

UF will survive without Yeguete... for now

By KATIE AGOSTIN | Feb. 7, 2013

When February rolls around, Will Yeguete isn’t feeling the love.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Jaguars owner raising standards

By JOE MORGAN | Feb. 5, 2013

In an effort to jettison the mediocrity fans have endured since the Jacksonville Jaguars last made the playoffs in 2007, owner Shahid Khan is changing everything.

Florida coach Kevin O’Sullivan approaches the mound for a meeting with catcher Mike Zunino (3) and pitcher Daniel Gibson.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Florida needs lefty in rotation

By JOSH JURNOVOY | Jan. 30, 2013

On Fridays and Saturdays, Kevin O’Sullivan doesn’t have much to worry about.

Sophomore Taylor Gushue bats during Florida’s 8-3 win against Florida Gulf Coast on March 10 at McKethan Stadium. The Gators will turn to Gushue to fill the void left by Mike Zunino.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Sophomore to fill void in new role behind plate

By ADAM PINCUS | Jan. 28, 2013

Taylor Gushue almost hit the lights at Mark Light Field in Coral Gables last season in just his ninth collegiate game. Instead, the freshman settled for an awe-inspiring solo homer.

Jelani Jenkins (3) returns an interception during Florida’s 37-26 win against Florida State on Nov. 24 at Doak Campbell Stadium. Jenkins was one of three former Gators chosen by the Miami Dolphins on Friday.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Jenkins right to leave

By JOSH JURNOVOY | Jan. 23, 2013

No one was surprised when defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd and safety Matt Elam announced their intentions to forgo their senior seasons and declare for the NFL draft.

Sophomore Kytra Hunter performs her beam routine in a dual meet against Ball State on Jan. 4 in the O’Connell Center. Hunter won the all-around title at the NCAA Regionals on Saturday.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

NCAA title is Florida's to lose

By KATIE AGOSTIN | Jan. 21, 2013

At the 2012 NCAA Championships in Duluth, Ga., Kytra Hunter finished her floor routine with a nearly flawless double back tuck tumbling pass. Her score of 9.925 put Florida ahead of UCLA by .025.

Bashaara Graves (12) grabs a rebound over Kayla Lewis (22) in Sunday’s game.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Butler refreshingly honest in defeat

By ADAM PINCUS | Jan. 14, 2013

Coach Amanda Butler left her team with more questions than answers after squandering a victory against the team from Rocky Top.

Guard January Miller (3) fights for possession with guard Taber Spani (13) during Florida’s 78-75 overtime loss to Tennessee on Sunday in the O’Connell Center.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Apathy hampering Florida women’s basketball program

By JOE MORGAN | Jan. 13, 2013

Florida’s 78-75 overtime loss to No. 9 Tennessee was a wasted opportunity.

Alabama's AJ McCarron (10) and Barrett Jones argue during the second half of the BCS National Championship college football game against Notre Dame Monday, Jan. 7, 2013, in Miami. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Muschamp aiming to achieve Saban’s Process at Florida

By GREG LUCA | Jan. 8, 2013

With only 7 minutes of game time separating the Crimson Tide from a second consecutive national championship, A.J. McCarron and Barrett Jones were pissed.

Defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd points to a teammate during Florida’s 33-23 loss to Louisville in the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 2 in New Orleans.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

The Rally: Which departing player will Florida miss the most in 2013?

By ADAM PINCUS | Jan. 7, 2013

Josh: It’s no secret the Florida offense was the team’s weakness throughout the 2012 season. Some might think it was detrimental to the Gators’ 2013 campaign that leading receiver Jordan Reed declared for the NFL Draft last weekend.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Get to know the Alligator this semester

By JOE MORGAN | Jan. 6, 2013

For those of you who were here during the summer, you’re likely well aware that I’m a movie buff. I bombarded you with references to “John Carter” and “The Dark Knight Rises” like my life depended on it. Fortunately for you, I toned it down during the fall.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

BCS sham in need of playoff

By JOE MORGAN | Dec. 3, 2012

You don’t need an on-air rant by ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit to know that Sunday night’s BCS Selection Show was a complete joke.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Picks: Conference Championships

Nov. 29, 2012

We here at alligatorSports Brand Picks Column weren’t the most well-off in the financial department to begin with. Then we turned into a bunch of degenerates and bought way too many Powerball tickets on Wednesday night.

Running back Mike Gillislee dives into the end zone during Florida’s 37-26 win against Florida State on Saturday at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee. Gillislee ran for 140 yards and two scores in the win.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Defense, run game key to shocking year

By JOSH JURNOVOY | Nov. 27, 2012

I was wrong.

Quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) eludes Josh Evans during UF’s 20-17 win at Texas A&M on Sept. 8.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

UF deserves spot in title game

By JOE MORGAN | Nov. 26, 2012

When No. 1 Notre Dame takes the field for the BCS National Championship Game in Miami on Jan. 7, a Southeastern Conference team will be on the opposite sideline.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Picks: Florida State

Nov. 19, 2012

The demise of Hostess would have counted Twinkies as one of the victims of a tough economy, but it would have been good riddance, right? Sugar is for the weak.