Sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

Caeleb Dressel set an American, NCAA and UF record, swimming a 39.90 in the 100 free at the NCAA Men's Swimming and Diving Championships.

SPORTS

alligatorSports Awards: Best Individual Performance

By Chris O'Brien , Andrew Huang , Brendan Farrell and Alligator Staff report | July 25, 2018

Today, we focus on individual effort.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

UF football player charged with 2 felonies, suspended

By Mark Stine | July 24, 2018

Justin Watkins, incoming freshman and four-star recruit of the UF football team, was in Alachua County jail Tuesday on four criminal charges.

As a junior-transfer in his first year at UF, guard Jalen Hudson (left) led the Gators in scoring with 15.5 points per game. He was named SEC Player of the Week three times in 2017-18.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

alligatorSports Awards: Newcomer of the Year

By Alligator Staff report | July 23, 2018

A trio of freshmen – corners Marco Wilson, CJ Henderson and running back Malik Davis – stood out in UF football team’s 4-7 campaign last season.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

It’s time to induct UF’s best football coach of all time into the Ring of Honor

By Chris O'Brien and O’B-Wan Kenobi | July 23, 2018

Recently, Tim Tebow was named to the Gators Football Ring of Honor, the highest achievement that a player or coach at the university can reach. For one to merit consideration for induction into the Ring of Honor, the individual must be five years removed from UF and must be in good standing with the institution.

The San Antonio Spurs traded Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green to the Toronto Raptors and received a package centered around Demar Derozan.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Looking into the NBA’s crystal ball: Kawhi and the Toronto Raptors

By Andrew Huang and Huang Story Short | July 18, 2018

Many scientists say that dinosaurs were wiped from the face of the Earth by an asteroid. The Toronto Raptors are about to meet their asteroid.

Tim Tebow is arguably the greatest player in UF history, but should he be judged by his former accolades forever?

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Stop giving media coverage to washed-up athletes

By Chris O'Brien and O’B-Wan Kenobi | July 17, 2018

A week ago, I wrote a column about how I think Tiger Woods is overrated, washed-up and doesn’t deserve nearly the amount of media coverage he receives.

UF wide receiver Tyrie Cleveland makes the game winning touchdown catch in Florida's 26-20 win against Tennessee at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS

alligatorSports Awards: Moment of the Year

By Chris O'Brien , Andrew Huang and alligatorSports Staff Report | July 17, 2018

UF wide receiver Tyrie Cleveland makes the game winning touchdown catch in Florida's 26-20 win against Tennessee at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Spurs dynasty collapsing: the dominos keep falling

By Andrew Huang and Huang Story Short | July 12, 2018

I hope I’m not right.

Guard Chris Chiozza set the all-time school record for assists during his final year with the Gators.

SPORTS

alligatorSports Awards: Senior of the Year

By Chris O'Brien , Andrew Huang and Alligator Staff report | July 12, 2018

There were so many great senior athletes at the University of Florida that made a huge impact on the school in the 2017-18 athletics season. Our panel of Chris O’Brien, Mark Stine, Andrew Huang, Evan Lepak and Brendan Farrell gives you its nominations for Senior of the Year.

SPORTS | SOCCER

alligatorSports 2018 World Cup Predictions

By Chris O'Brien and Alligator Staff report | July 11, 2018

With a matchup between France and Croatia set for the World Cup Final, our staff, which doesn’t know very much about soccer, is here to give you its predictions on which team it believes will come out victorious on Sunday. Our report consists of sports writers Chris O’Brien, Mark Stine, Andrew Huang, Brendan Farrell and Evan Lepak.

Wide receiver Van Jefferson figures to be one of the most impactful newcomers for the UF football team.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Top incoming recruits/transfers rundown for fall sports

By Chris O'Brien , Andrew Huang and Alligator Staff report | July 10, 2018

There are many incoming freshmen and transfers joining UF Athletics for the 2018-19 season. With the first sporting event of the 2018 fall sports season under one month away (soccer exhibition match at Florida Gulf Coast on Aug. 7), it’s time to get acquainted with some of the new faces of the Florida Gators. Sports writers Chris O’Brien, Andrew Huang and Mark Stine highlight newcomers to watch for the upcoming football, volleyball and soccer campaigns.

Tiger Woods hasn’t won a tournament since the 2013 WGC-Bridgestone Invitational or a major since the 2008 U.S. Open.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Stop giving coverage to Tiger Woods

By Chris O'Brien and O’B-Wan Kenobi | July 9, 2018

Read the title. Then read it again, and again and again.

Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher was snubbed from the 2018 MLB All-Star Game even though he leads the AL in ERA at 2.09.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Blake Snell’s All-Star snub is because of where he plays

By Mark My Words | July 9, 2018

Blake Snell has been one of the most dominant starting pitchers in all baseball through the 2018 season. During his third season in Tampa Bay, he’s unexpectedly led the Rays to a record on the plus-side of .500 (46-44) and put himself in serious contention for the American League Cy Young Award.

Mary Wise coached the UF volleyball team to the NCAA championship match last season. She was named AVCA National Coach of the Year for 2017 and claimed her 23rd SEC Championship with the program.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

alligatorSports Awards: Who is UF's Coach of the Year?

By alligatorSports Staff Report | July 4, 2018

There were 12 University of Florida athletics teams that finished in the top five nationally in their respective sports during the 2017-18 season. This statistic, a program record, begged the question, who is the best coach among this crop of talented teams? Sports writers Alanis Thames, Andrew Huang, Chris O’Brien and Mark Stine nominated their picks in this alligatorSports Awards installment.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

We may be witnessing the greatest World Cup of all-time, and it might be a farce

By Mark My Words | July 4, 2018

In a previous column from June 14, I claimed that the World Cup is the greatest event in sports.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

I’m starting to like the new-look NBA

By Huang Story Short | July 3, 2018

Professional basketball just got a whole lot better.

Third baseman Jonathan India was taken fifth overall by the Cincinnati Reds in the 2018 MLB Draft. He led the SEC in on-base percentage (.497), slugging percentage (.717) and home runs. India was selected as the conference's Player of the Year.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

UF navigated through 2018 on individual brilliance

By Chris O'Brien | July 3, 2018

Despite ending with a 5-2 loss to Arkansas at the College World Series on June 22, the Florida Gators’ 2018 season shouldn’t be overshadowed by the team’s failure to repeat as national champions.

UF starting pitcher Brady Singer pitched 5.0 innings and gave up four runs on seven hits in Florida's elimination game loss to Arkansas on Friday.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Campbell cruises, Arkansas eliminates Florida in CWS

By Chris O'Brien | June 22, 2018

The last time he faced the defending champs, Arkansas starting pitcher Isaiah Campbell only lasted one inning and gave up six runs (five earned) on four hits and four walks.

Freshman starter Jack Leftwich threw 6.1 innings and allowed only two earned runs in his outing against Texeas Tech at the College World Series Thursday.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

After sluggish start, Florida recovers to eliminate Texas Tech

By Chris O'Brien | June 22, 2018

He’s a freshman, but he sure didn’t look like one Thursday night.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

We need to talk about the World Cup’s Inner Demons

By Mark My Words | June 20, 2018

Last week I explained why the World Cup is the greatest event in sports.