Sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

Offensive lineman David Sharpe, right, stands over quarterback Austin Appleby during Florida's loss to Florida State on Nov. 26, 2016, in Tallahassee.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Notebook: UF confident in chances vs. ‘Bama

By Ethan Bauer | Nov. 29, 2016

Jim McElwain stood at the lectern on Monday and made a bold declaration. With a matchup against No. 1 Alabama — a team with the No. 1 scoring defense, rushing defense and total defense in the country — looming following a double-digit loss to Florida State, the second-year coach was asked about the obvious mismatch of his No. 114-ranked offense facing the elite Crimson Tide defense.

Quincy Wilson prepares for a play during Florida's 32-0 win over North Texas on Sept. 17, 2016, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Florida football: three things to know ahead of Alabama

By IAN COHEN | Nov. 29, 2016

As No. 15 Florida prepares for a matchup with No. 1 Alabama in the Southeastern Conference Championship game on Saturday, here are a few things to know from this week’s conversations with Florida’s players and coach Jim McElwain.

Jalen Tabor (31) claps before walking out of the tunnel at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium during Florida's 33-0 win over North Texas on Sept. 17, 2016.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

UF players: 'Anything can happen' against ‘Bama

By IAN COHEN | Nov. 29, 2016

Jalen Tabor remembers the feeling.

Alabama coach Nick Saban applauds on the sideline during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Southern California on Saturday, Sept. 3, 2016, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: UF vs. ‘Bama: A real-life 'Space Jam'

By Patrick Pinak | Nov. 28, 2016

Twenty years ago, “Space Jam” made its rounds in theaters across the world.

Dallas Mavericks' Dorian Finney-Smith (10) takes a shot over Orlando Magic's Serge Ibaka, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Nov. 19, 2016, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators in the NBA: Finney-Smith getting early-season opportunity as rookie

By Skyler Lebron | Nov. 28, 2016

As many NBA teams have started to find their groove through the first quarter of the 2016-2017 season, the Dallas Mavericks have struggled to even keep five healthy players on the court.

Coach Jim McElwain looks on during Florida's 24-10 win over Georgia on Oct. 29, 2016, in Jacksonville.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

McElwain embracing opportunity against Alabama

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Nov. 28, 2016

So, Jim McElwain, is your offense ready for the mismatch it’s about to face in Saturday’s Southeastern Conference Championship Game against Alabama’s defense?

Florida guard Kasey Hill drives to the basket as Florida Gulf Coast forward Kevin Mickle defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Friday Nov. 11, 2016, in Jacksonville, Fla. (Bob Mack/The Florida Times-Union via AP)

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators finish strong, top Miami in Orlando

By Matt Brannon | Nov. 27, 2016

After an agonizing loss against No. 11 Gonzaga on Friday, Florida found itself on the wrong end of a 9-0 Miami run to start the second half on Sunday.

Florida coach Jim McElwain, left, and FSU coach Jimbo Fisher meet at mid-field after the Seminoles defeated the Gators 31-13 in an NCAA college football game in Tallahassee, Fla., Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016. (AP Photo/Mark Wallheiser)

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: McElwain missed the mark in post-game press conference

By Ethan Bauer | Nov. 27, 2016

Jim McElwain took to the microphone following the football team’s loss to Florida State on Saturday looking like he’d just been told about a dead relative.

Florida State quarterback Deondre Francois reacts to scoring a touchdown in front of Florida linebacker Kylan Johnson during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Tallahassee, Fla., Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016. Florida State defeated Florida 33-13. (AP Photo/Mark Wallheiser)

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

‘HEARTBROKEN’: UF’s playoff hopes dashed in loss to FSU

By IAN COHEN | Nov. 27, 2016

TALLAHASSEE — The pocket was closing, so Austin Appleby ran.

UF right-side hitter Alex Holston (3) celebrates during Florida's 3-0 win against St. John's on Sept. 17, 2015, in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

No. 9 Florida sweeps Arkansas, clinches share of SEC title

By Ray Boone | Nov. 27, 2016

Early in the first set of Florida volleyball’s match against Arkansas, UF setter Allie Monserez lofted the ball into the air toward rightside hitter Alex Holston. The senior lept into the air and delivered a hard smack on the ball, slamming it down on the Razorbacks’ side of the court for a kill.

Quincy Wilson, right, tackles Dalvin Cook during Florida's loss to Florida State on Nov. 26, 2016, in Tallahassee.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Slim playoff hopes melt away in Florida's loss to FSU

By Patrick Pinak | Nov. 26, 2016

TALLAHASSEE — Austin Appleby never saw Josh Sweat coming.

Austin Appleby is pressured in the pocket during Florida's loss to FSU on Nov. 26, 2016, in Tallahassee.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Timely mistakes cost Florida in loss to FSU

By Ethan Bauer | Nov. 26, 2016

TALLAHASSEE — CeCe Jefferson slogged to the sideline and shoved defensive line coach Chris Rumph.

Florida forward Devin Robinson (1) goes up for a shot in front of Gonzaga forward Zach Collins (32) and forward Killian Tillie (33) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., Friday, Nov. 25, 2016. Gonzaga won 77-72.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators falter in second half, lose to No. 11 Gonzaga

By Ray Boone | Nov. 26, 2016

With his team in the midst of a second-half rally, Gonzaga forward Johnathan Williams received a no-look pass from teammate Nigel Williams-Goss. The 6-foot-9 Williams gathered the pass, crushed the rim with a left-handed jam and let out a thunderous roar as he galloped back down the court.

Seton Hall forward Ismael Sanogo, left, and Florida guard KeVaughn Allen (5) reach for the ball during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., Thursday, Nov. 24, 2016. Florida won 81-76. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Allen, Gators earn fifth-straight win

By Ray Boone | Nov. 25, 2016

Seton Hall forward Desi Rodriguez rocketed down the court with the seconds dripping off the clock.

UF outside hitter Carli Snyder swings for a kill attempt during Florida's 3-1 win on Sept. 20, 2015, in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Snyder leads No. 9 Gators past Auburn

By Skyler Lebron | Nov. 24, 2016

Throughout the first two sets of Florida’s match against the Auburn Tigers, offense was hard to come by. Both teams found it hard to get anything going consistently and errors accounted for many of the points.

Eleanna Christinaki looks to drive to the basket while two Kentucky players defend her during Florida's 92-69 loss to the Wildcats in the SEC Tournament quarterfinals on March 4, 2016, in Jacksonville.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Christinaki, Gators win fourth in a row

By Alejandro López | Nov. 23, 2016

As Eleanna Christinaki goes, the Florida Gators women’s basketball team goes.

Coach Amanda Butler (right) celebrates with Eleanna Christinaki during Florida's win over Kentucky on Jan. 31, 2016, in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida women’s basketball flourishing in fourth quarter

By Alejandro López | Nov. 21, 2016

A short bench makes for some long games — just ask the Florida Gators women’s basketball team.

Meggie Dougherty Howard shoots the ball during Florida's 6-0 win over Alabama on Oct. 20, 2016, at Donald R. Dizney Stadium.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Seniors class leaves impressive legacy for UF soccer team

By Lauren Staff | Nov. 21, 2016

As time expired at Dizney Stadium on Sunday afternoon, the Gators saw their hopes of an NCAA title evaporate at the hands of Auburn, which defeated Florida 3-1.

Florida guard Canyon Barry (24) drives to the basket over Belmont forward Amanze Egekeze (32) and guard Dylan Windler (3) in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Tampa, Fla., on Monday, Nov/ 21, 2016. (Andres Leiva/Tampa Bay Times via AP)

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Barry leads Florida basketball past Belmont

By Matt Brannon | Nov. 21, 2016

Even with his Hall of Fame father in attendance, Canyon Barry didn’t start the game.

Austin Appleby runs during Florida's 20-7 win over South Carolina on Nov. 12, 2016, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Appleby takes over, leads UF through season's final stretch

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Nov. 21, 2016

Austin Appleby knew there were no guarantees when he came to Florida.