Sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

UF head coach Amanda Butler looks on during Florida's 84-75 loss to Ole Miss on Feb. 6, 2017, in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Firing Butler was a tough call, but the correct one

By Ethan Bauer | Mar. 14, 2017

I had been planning a column calling on UF athletics director Scott Stricklin to fire women’s basketball coach Amanda Butler for weeks. I was waiting until after the season ended — presumably with an early exit in the SEC Tournament — to write it. It was actually supposed to run in place of this column, but then it didn't need to.

Lindsey Ronbeck runs toward the goal during Florida's 14-4 loss to Maryland on March 19, 2016, at Donald R. Dizney Stadium.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS LACROSSE

Gators crush Orange behind career performance from Ronbeck

By Jake Dreilinger | Mar. 14, 2017

Sophomore attacker Lindsey Ronbeck received a pass from senior attacker Sammi Burgess while standing behind the net.

UF quarterback Luke Del Rio rides the bike during Florida's 13-6 win against Vanderbilt on Oct. 1, 2016, at Vanderbilt Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Notebook: Del Rio to have shoulder surgery

Mar. 14, 2017

The most interesting thing Jim McElwain said at his press conference on Tuesday came toward the end. UF’s third-year coach had already been asked about the team’s injuries, its quarterback battle and every other pertinent thing when a question came up about why he liked to use athletes — like receiver Dre Massey and true freshman Kadarius Toney — at quarterback.

UF's Brooke Austin hits a backhand during Florida's 4-2 win against Oklahoma State on Feb. 18, 2017, at the Ring Tennis Complex.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Gators dominate singles play, beat No. 2 Ohio State

By Spencer Thompson | Mar. 14, 2017

With the doubles point on the line, Brooke Austin ran up the court, turned her arm and swung.

UF catcher Mark Kolozsvary rounds the bases after hitting a home run in Florida's 2-0 win against Miami on Feb. 25, 2017, at McKethan Stadium.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Gators shut out Florida State at home

By Patrick Pinak | Mar. 14, 2017

Mark Kolozsvary tried to hold himself from swinging, but it was too late.

UF coach Roland Thornqvist looks on during Florida's 4-2 win against Oklahoma State on Feb. 18, 2017, at the Ring Tennis Complex.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Florida looking to continue business mindset against No. 2 Ohio State

By Spencer Thompson | Mar. 13, 2017

After blanking No. 24 South Carolina 4-0, the Gators women’s tennis team didn’t celebrate. Players didn’t jump up and down, nor did they scream down the court. While obviously happy with the win, Florida appeared all business — just how coach Roland Thornqvist likes it.

UF head coach JC Deacon holds a scorecard during the 2017 Gator Invitational. Deacon and the Gators head to Scottsdale, Arizona, for the National Championship.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

'We were terrible': Deacon reflects after difficult loss

By Justin Ahlum | Mar. 13, 2017

When coach JC Deacon walked into his press conference on Monday after a disappointing trip to Las Vegas, he didn’t mince words.

UF coach Gregg Troy encourages his swimmers during Florida’s meet against Auburn on Jan. 23, 2016, in the O’Connell Center.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS SWIM AND DIVE

Gators women's swimming and diving team to compete at NCAAs

By Sean Denison | Mar. 13, 2017

Rachel Madden was the last Florida athlete to qualify for the NCAA Championships. It was also a first for the diver.

Florida lacrosse coach Amanda O’Leary (left) was pleased with the way her bench performed in its 18-6 victory over Marquette on Saturday. "It is... good to see some players who typically don't get in and see what they can do,” O'Leary said.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS LACROSSE

Gators looking to continue offensive run against Syracuse

By Jake Dreilinger | Mar. 13, 2017

For the first third of the season, the No. 3 Gators (5-1) lacrosse team’s offense has been tested by a tough non-conference schedule that included four ranked teams and a two-game road trip to Maryland.

Kentucky head coach John Calipari yells to his players in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Arkansas for the championship of the Southeastern Conference tournament Sunday, March 12, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. Kentucky won 82-65. (AP Photo/Sanford Myers)

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Column: March Madness is both fun and complicated

By IAN COHEN | Mar. 13, 2017

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Minutes after defeating Georgia to advance to the SEC semifinals, Kentucky coach John Calipari was asked a question.

UF gymnast Sierra Alexander finishes performing a routine during Florida's win against Missouri on Feb. 24, 2017, in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

Gators gymnastics team excelling on vault ahead of SEC meet

By Lauren Staff | Mar. 13, 2017

As soon as Sierra Alexander stuck her vault landing on Friday, a huge smile spread across her face.

UF head coach Kevin O'Sullivan speaks with an umpire during Florida's 2-0 win against Miami on Feb. 25, 2017, at McKethan Stadium.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Florida hoping to rev up offense against FSU

By Ethan Bauer | Mar. 13, 2017

Following FSU’s win over Florida in the 2016 NCAA Super Regionals, Seminoles manager Mike Martin proved to be prophetic.

The UF men's track team poses for a photo after finishing in second place in the NCAA Indoor Championships Saturday at Gilliam Indoor Stadium in College Station, Texas.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TRACK

Florida men’s track team finishes second at NCAA Indoor Championships

By Daniel Smithson | Mar. 13, 2017

Florida led Texas A&M by 1.5 points heading into the 4x400 meter relay.

Maria Torres tees off during the 2015 SunTrust Gator Invitational at UF's Mark Bostick Golf Course.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Gators women's golf team captures title in lone home tourney

By Morgan McMullen | Mar. 13, 2017

Maria Torres and one of her playing partners, UCF's Ashley Holder, joked with each other as they made the walk from the third hole to the fourth tee on the opening day of the SunTrust Gator Invitational on Saturday.

Alfredo Perez hits a backhand during Florida's 4-2 against UCLA on Feb. 5, 2017, at the Ring Tennis Complex.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Gators stiff the 'Cocks of Victory Indoors

By Mark Stine | Mar. 13, 2017

The Florida men’s tennis team faced off with SEC opponent South Carolina in unique conditions on Sunday.

Kelly Barnhill pitches during UF's doubleheader sweep of Jacksonville on Feb. 27, 2016, at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Florida claims second win against Missouri behind Barnhill’s 12 strikeouts

By Cassie Amundson | Mar. 13, 2017

In the bottom of the first inning, freshman third baseman Jaimie Hoover hit a ball straight to Missouri shortstop Braxton Burnside.

UF outfielder Ryan Larson walks off the field after Florid'a 2-0 win over Miami on Feb. 25, 2017, at McKethan Stadium.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

UF wins two, loses three over disappointing spring break

By Patrick Pinak | Mar. 13, 2017

It had been 756 days since Ryan Larson parked a ball outside McKethan Stadium.

UF guard Chris Chiozza answers questions following Florida's 72-62 loss to Vanderbilt in the Southeastern Conference Tournament on March 10, 2017, in Nashville, Tennessee.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Column: ‘So, you guys got beat pretty bad, huh?’: Interviewing after losses

By Matt Brannon | Mar. 13, 2017

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Gators held the world’s saddest pizza party in a solemn locker room after being bounced from the SEC Tournament in their first game.

Kentucky players celebrate after the Wildcats won the Southeastern Conference Tournament on March 12, 2017, in Nashville, Tennessee.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Despite conference title win, Kentucky has competition in the SEC

By Ray Boone | Mar. 13, 2017

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — It was all hugs and smiles.

UF head coach Mike White looks on during Florida's 72-62 loss to Vanderbilt in the Southeastern Conference Tournament on March 10, 2017, in Nashville, Tennessee.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators awarded No. 4 seed in NCAA tourney despite losing momentum

By Matt Brannon | Mar. 13, 2017

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — After an abrupt exit from the SEC Tournament, Florida will enter March Madness as a No. 4 seed in the NCAA Tournament.