Sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

Coach Mike White and the Gators could have their hands full when they square off against Texas Tech tonight.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Scouting report: Texas Tech Red Raiders

By Andrew Huang | Mar. 17, 2018

A No. 3 seed in the East Region. A second-place regular season finish in the Big 12 behind Kansas, winner of 14 consecutive regular season titles. A handful of All-Big 12 honors. It’s been the season of the century for Texas Tech. The Red Raiders (25-9, 11-7) give up just 64.6 points per game – first in the Big 12 and 15th in the country – and have won three of their last four. Most recent is a 70-60 defeat of Stephen F. Austin in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament, thanks to 23 points and 10-for-10 shooting from the line by Evans.

Sophomore diver Brooke Madden earned her second career All-American honors on Friday.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS SWIM AND DIVE

Dressel and Madden receive All-American Honorable Mentions on third day of NCAA Championships

By Sam Campisano | Mar. 16, 2018

A pair of sophomores led the way for the No. 17 Gators on the third day of the NCAA Women’s Swimming and Diving Championships.

Junior McClain Kessler helped win the doubles point en route to the Gators' sweep of Kentucky on Friday.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Gators Sweep Kentucky in conference matchup

By Dylan Rudolph | Mar. 16, 2018

Like a lion spotting his prey, McClain Kessler’s eyes widened as the ball slowly dropped in front of him. The junior called off his doubles partner, freshman Duarte Vale, and spiked the ball over the net with a loud grunt.

Junior right-hander Brady Singer allowed one run on two hits and struck out seven batters through six innings in Florida's win Friday night.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Florida baseball powers past South Carolina in SEC opener

By Ethan Bauer | Mar. 16, 2018

Graham Lawson didn’t even look up.

First baseman Kayli Kvistad went 1-of-2 from the plate with an RBI double in the first inning Friday against Georgia.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Georgia takes down Florida softball in first game of the series

By Mari Faiello | Mar. 16, 2018

As the saying goes, catastrophes typically come in threes.

Freshman McCartney Kessler continued her winning streak with the clinching match against Tennessee on Friday.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Georgia Bulldogs end UF women’s tennis win streak in Athens

By River Wells | Mar. 16, 2018

With her team down 2-0, Florida freshman McCartney Kessler defeated Mariana Gould and narrowed the Georgia lead. She could only watch helplessly, however, as the Bulldogs sealed UF’s fate.

Freshman Won Jun Lee was Florida's top performer on Friday in the first round of the Schenkel Invitational, shooting 1 under.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Gators men’s golf team struggles on first day of Schenkel Invitational

By Sam Campisano | Mar. 16, 2018

Coming off its first win of the season since Sept. 26, the No. 8 Florida men’s golf team was looking to carry its momentum into the first day of the Schenkel Invitational in Statesboro, Georgia, on Friday.

The Gators begin a stretch of four matches in eight days tonight against Georgia. “That’s the SEC life," coach Roland Thornqvist said.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

UF women’s tennis begins daunting SEC road stretch on Friday

By River Wells | Mar. 16, 2018

Right before the Gators faced off against Florida State in Orlando at the beginning of the tennis season, freshman Victoria Emma stated she didn’t consider Florida State much of a rival. She asserted that the SEC was where the real rivalries were, and she named one team in particular: the Georgia Bulldogs.

Senior Chase Perez-Blanco and his partner freshman Oliver Crawford are on a nine-match win streak in doubles play.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Florida’s men’s tennis team returns to SEC play against No. 21 Kentucky

By Dylan Rudolph | Mar. 16, 2018

The Florida men’s tennis team returns to conference play for its second match in three days.

Shortstop Sophia Reynoso and the rest of the Gators' infield could have their hands full tonight against a speedy Georgia team.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

UF’s softball team heads to Athens for weekend series with Georgia

By Mark Stine | Mar. 16, 2018

Coming off a weekend sweep of the No. 24 Kentucky Wildcats to begin its conference schedule, the No. 2 Florida softball team kicks off its first SEC road series tonight at 6 in Athens, Georgia.

Coach Mike Holloway claps as he watches his team.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TRACK

UF’s men’s and women’s track and field teams ready for outdoor season

By Alanis Thames | Mar. 16, 2018

As soon as the final flash of the camera had captured the memories of the NCAA Indoor Championships, Florida’s track and field teams locked in on their next goal.

Coach Dan Mullen and the Gators will hold open practices on Friday and Saturday afternoon.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Three Gators football questions that merit answers entering spring practice

By Ethan Bauer | Mar. 16, 2018

Dan Mullen knows expectations are high.

Outfielder/pitcher Andrew Baker has developed a reputation as being one of the funnier players on the Florida roster. But it was the young lefty's faith and family helped guide him through his low points.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Family, faith and baseball: Andrew Baker’s evolution from little league novice to UF two-way player

By Morgan McMullen | Mar. 15, 2018

Andrew Baker leaned forward with his hands on his knees. He oozed a confidence and swagger that would have made Muhammad Ali blush.

Trae Young and the Oklahoma Sooners made the NCAA Tournament ahead of bubble teams like USC, Middle Tennessee, Marquette and Oklahoma State.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Putting Oklahoma in the NCAA Tournament was the right call

By Jake Dreilinger | Mar. 15, 2018

Picture this scenario. You decide to go to the movies, but you aren’t sure what film you want to see. In front of you are two choices.

Florida guard Egor Koulechov scored 20 points on 8-of-17 shooting in Thursday night's 77-62 win over St. Bonaventure.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators bounce Bonnies in first round of NCAA Tournament

By Benjamin Brandt | Mar. 15, 2018

No bizarre buzzer-beaters or cunning second-half comebacks maddened the nightcap action at American Airlines Arena on Thursday in Dallas.

Freshman Taylor Ault finished 39th out of 64 swimmers in the 500-yard free Thursday afternoon in her first NCAA Championship event.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS SWIM AND DIVE

Gators women’s swimming and diving team struggles on Day 2 of NCAA Championships

By Sam Campisano | Mar. 15, 2018

It was a rough afternoon for Florida on the second day of the NCAA Women’s Swimming and Diving Championships.

The Florida men's basketball team will attempt to use last season's 77-70 loss to South Carolina in the Elite Eight to propel it on another impressive showing at the NCAA Tournament. “We have pieces that have been here,” UF guard Chris Chiozza said.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida using last season’s Elite Eight loss as motivation for 2018 NCAA Tourney run

By Jake Dreilinger | Mar. 15, 2018

Former Florida forward Justin Leon shot a desperation three-pointer as time was about to expire in the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament on March 27, 2017.

Florida walk-on guards Mak Krause and Andrew Fava celebrate during UF's 108-68 win over North Florida on Nov. 16.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

JUMPING THROUGH HOOPS: The story of Andrew Fava and Mak Krause

By Ethan Bauer | Mar. 15, 2018

Attacker Lindsey Ronbeck missed the second half of the game against Navy with an apparent knee injury.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS LACROSSE

Florida lacrosse team gearing up for conference action

By Tyler Nettuno | Mar. 15, 2018

If there’s one thing the Gators lacrosse team has going for it heading into Big East play, it’s momentum.

Junior Rachel Slocum said she is excited for the upcoming SEC Championships. “I'm just trying to leave it all out on the floor,” she said.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

Gators focusing on “the little things” in week off before SEC Championships

By Alana Gomez | Mar. 15, 2018

The Gators gymnastics team is spending its week off between the regular season and SEC Championships in its usual spot — the practice gym.