sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

Eight Gators beat writers pick eight college football games against the spread.

Sports

Picks Column: A new Mullennium

Nov. 30, 2017

A new era is officially underway in Gainesville.

Florida transfer guard Funda Nakkasoglu (3) is still bothered by an ankle injury suffered on Nov. 21.

Sports

Gators guard Funda Nakkasoglu recovering from injury as team prepares for Oklahoma

By Morgan McMullen | Nov. 30, 2017

Redshirt junior guard Funda Nakkasoglu drove to the paint from the right side of the three-point line. She beat her defender, cut inside the incoming forward and raised up for a layup attempt without opposition.

After losing to the Cornhuskers in the 2017 title match, Mary Wise and the Florida Gators went to Lincoln, Nebraska, and took revenge on the No. 2 team in the country with a 3-1 victory.

Sports

Gators pummel Alabama State in NCAA Tournament opener

By Andrew Huang | Nov. 30, 2017

More than 2,200 fans piled into the O'Connell Center on Thursday, eager for a full night of Florida volleyball. Just 65 minutes later, they were headed home.

Florida believes that its defense, along with senior leadership and a tough nonconference schedule, has prepared itself for any team it faces in the postseason. “We ride and die by our seniors,” UF middle blocker Rachael Kramer said.

Sports

Gators start NCAA Tournament hoping to avoid repeat of last season’s stunning collapse

By Andrew Huang | Nov. 29, 2017

A year later, they haven’t forgotten the game that got away.

Sports

Dan Mullen hires his defensive coordinator from Mississippi State, Todd Grantham

By Matt Brannon | Nov. 29, 2017

Dan Mullen has added another Mississippi State assistant to his staff at Florida.

UF head coach Mike White smiles during a press conference following Florida's 65-39 win against Virginia in the NCAA Tournament on March 18, 2017, in Orlando.

Sports

Column: Enjoy Mike White while he’s here

By Ethan Bauer | Nov. 29, 2017

Mike White won’t be in Gainesville for long.

In the team’s final five games, UF running back Adarius Lemons registered 136 yards on 19 carries for an average of 7.2 yards per attempt.

Sports

Column: Four Florida players primed for breakout seasons in 2018

By Dylan Dixon | Nov. 29, 2017

There’s no other way to say it, folks.

Florida forward Haley Lorenzen recorded a double-double with 20 points and 11 rebounds in the Gators 69-59 win against Jacksonville on Tuesday.

Sports

Haley Lorenzen fuels Gators' home win over Jacksonville

By Morgan McMullen | Nov. 28, 2017

When Funda Nakkasoglu missed a three-pointer with 9:27 remaining in the second quarter, forward Haley Lorenzen used her 6-foot-3 frame to snatch an offensive rebound. She dribbled, retreated a few steps, and nailed a jumper from the elbow to extend a lead Florida would never give up.

UF offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier participates in Florida's Gator Walk prior to the Orange & Blue Debut on April 8, 2016, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Sports

Randy Shannon, Doug Nussmeier reportedly fired from coaching staff

By Ethan Bauer | Nov. 28, 2017

After two days as Florida’s head coach, Dan Mullen is already sorting out which assistants will join him on the sidelines in 2018.

UF athletic director Scott Striklin speaks at a press conference announcing former Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen as Florida's next head coach.

Sports

Column: What Scott Stricklin was really thinking about as he announced the hire of Dan Mullen

By IAN COHEN | Nov. 28, 2017

My favorite part of Dan Mullen’s introductory press conference on Monday?

New England Patriots' Julian Edelman eyes the ball before making the catch as Atlanta Falcons' Robert Alford, left, and Keanu Neal defend, during the second half of Super Bowl 51 in Houston. (Patrick Semansky/AP)

Sports

Neal’s friendly fire and other Gators in the NFL: Week 12 Edition

By Sam Campisano | Nov. 27, 2017

Keanu Neal has become known for his big hits.

UF guard Funda Nakkasoglu sat out the final two games of the Savannah Invitational. She hopes to be back on the court against Jacksonville.

Sports

Gators head into matchup against Jacksonville tonight with a few key injuries

By Justin Ahlum | Nov. 27, 2017

On Monday afternoon, Florida emerged from its locker room and took the court for practice. Dressed in their all-blue practice uniforms, the Gators shot around, with multiple players getting reps at the free-throw line and from behind the arc.

UF announced on Sunday former Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen will take over as Florida's next head coach.

Sports

Column: Dan Mullen is the new football coach! Now let’s get over it.

By Skyler Lebron | Nov. 27, 2017

The turmoil is no more. The agony of waiting is a thing of the past. It’s finished.

Former Mississippi State coach and Florida offensive coordinator Dan Mullen agreed to become the Gators next head coach, the school announced Sunday evening.

Sports

Column: Dan Mullen just volunteered to go through hell

By Matt Brannon | Nov. 26, 2017

You fool.

Jessie Holmes and Parker Roberts hug after Florida's 1-0 over USF in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

Sports

After Elite Eight loss, Gators soccer team looks back on memorable season

By Mark Stine | Nov. 26, 2017

Even though the Gators advanced to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament, their postseason run isn’t what defines them. What summed up their season more than anything was the surprise the seniors organized for coach Becky Burleigh before UF’s first game.

Coach Dan Mullen announced Feleipe Franks as the Gators' starting quarterback heading into Saturday's game against Charleston Southern.

Sports

‘We’re going to be back’: Gators reflect on a forgettable football season

By IAN COHEN | Nov. 26, 2017

The room is quiet. You can go in.

The Gators volleyball team was awarded the No. 2 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament. They will face Alabama State in the first round on Thursday.

Sports

Gators volleyball team carries No. 2 seed, stifling defense into NCAA Tournament

By Andrew Huang | Nov. 26, 2017

Since being embarrassed by Kentucky on their home floor on Oct. 15, the Gators (25-1, 17-1 SEC) have reeled off 11 consecutive wins, including a revenge victory against the Wildcats in Lexington on Nov. 1.

Dan Mullen has been hired as the next head coach of Florida's football program, the school confirmed on Sunday evening. Mullen was the offensive coordinator at UF from 2005 to 2008 and spent the past nine seasons as head coach at Mississippi State.

Sports

Dan Mullen hired as Florida's next head coach

By Dylan Dixon | Nov. 26, 2017

Less than one decade after helping Florida win two national championships over a three-year span, Dan Mullen is coming back to Gainesville.

Shainah Joseph (15) had 15 kills in UF’s match against Texas A&M earlier in the season and was voted SEC Co-Offensive Player of the Week on Nov. 13.

Sports

Florida volleyball takes SEC title with win at Missouri

By Mari Faiello | Nov. 25, 2017

It didn’t take much for Shainah Joseph to get fired up during the Gators’ final match of the regular season.

Florida fans have been highly critical of offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier this season after the Gators 4-7 year.

Sports

Column: It’s time for Florida fans to re-evaluate their relationship with Florida’s football program

By Ethan Bauer | Nov. 25, 2017

There needs to be a reckoning.